WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS HEAR EMS PROJECT UPDATE

  

Washington County EMS Director Kevin Deramus provided an update on department projects during his quarterly report to county commissioners today (Tuesday).

Deramus said the Prairie Hill Volunteer Fire Department built accommodations into its station on FM 50 to house an EMS paramedic there.  The single-occupant EMS station has been in operation since January.

Work is also continuing on the helipad project for the EMS station in Burton, which is a cooperative project between the county and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative and is being funded with Texas Ambulance Supplemental Payment (TASP) dollars and donation funds.

In other business, commissioners approved changing the bylaws for the Washington County Historical Commission.  The adjustment was to allow, based on the recommendation of the chair of the historical commission, the appointment of residents of nearby counties as long as they demonstrate an interest in Washington County history, have special expertise in an area useful to the commission and have given a personal commitment to helping the historical commission achieve its goals.

After the change was passed, the court approved the historical commission’s appointment of Twila Wood of Montgomery County.  Historical Commission Chair Tom Stevens said Wood is a member of the Texas Genealogical Society and is a genealogical and cemeteries expert.

Also in court, commissioners:

• Held a workshop on EMS billing operations and processes.
• Proclaimed April 9-15 as Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in Washington County.
• Awarded right-of-way mowing contracts to Binford Ag Services for Precincts 1 and 2.  The total cost is $19,982 for Precinct 1 and $15,545 for Precinct 2.
• Authorized the Engineering and Development Services Department to advertise for seal coating bids.  Bids will be opened on May 8^th, and a contract will be considered for approval on May 9^th.
• Approved a bank depository contract and pledge contract for Washington County pursuant to Local Government Code, Chapter 116 and 117, with Bank of Brenham.
• Heard reports from the Human Resources Department and Office of Emergency Management.