COMMISSIONERS APPROVE WCLA RESOLUTION ON 2015 GRANTED FUNDS

  

The Washington County Commissioners approved the resolution certifying that Washington County has granted funds in 2015 to the Washington County Healthy Living Association at their Tuesday morning meeting.

In order for the WCHLA to received funds from the Texas Department of Agriculture for the Home-Delivered Meal Grant Program, the County needed to approve its accounting system or fiscal agent, as well as certifying that the money is going where it needs to go.

The program is constantly growing, and is dependent on many governmental agencies to help with the need, as well as donations from private entities.

It was noted by Frank Blizzard during the meeting that the meal delivery program is constantly growing, and sometimes supplies the only meal a participant may receive all day. The meal deliverers also check the cabinets of the recipients to see that there is enough food for the other meals in the day, and deliverers were also able to help meal recipients in emergency situations encountered during the meal deliveries.

Money for the program comes from a variety of sources other than the federal government and the state. There are also donations, along with money raised at the group’s resale shop.

Also discussed were the Washington County group medical insurance rates, administered through the Texas Association of Counties, for the 2015-2016 plan year. The county 2.45 percent below the TAC average of 7.6%

Commissioners Fuchs noted that the county employees were taking steps to be healthier, which includes participating in several wellness programs available.

Reports were given by the Sheriff’s Office, Washington County 911 and Emergency Medical Services.

Jay Petrash, of the Sheriff’s office, reported that the number of accidents in the county was up, as well as car break ins.

Emergency Communications Director of Emergency Communications Nathan Preston presented the monthly report reviewing the monthly report, noting there was still at 71 second response time from the time the Dispatcher receive the call until a unit is dispatched, noted to be mostly being from training problem” and a “processing” problem. Preston also noted that there will be training at the beginning of August with the EMS, a training time in September with the Fire Department, and training with law enforcement in October, all in the hopes of all departments working efficiently by know how each other's job affects each department.

The EMS monthly report noted that it was pretty much a standard month. The Burton AGP was going well. Also noted that transfers were lower this year, with most of the transfers still going to Scott and White Hospital in Bryan.

So far this year there have been 659 responses to the EMS for 2015. 58 percent of the calls come from the City of Brenham, 25% from the County, and 17% from other districts.