WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS APPROVE TELEHEALTH COUNSELING SERVICES AGREEMENT
Washington County Commissioners have approved an agreement with Texas A&M University providing for telehealth counseling services for Washington County Jail inmates.
Commissioners at their meeting today (Tuesday) approved the agreement between the county and the Texas A&M University Health Science Center, on behalf of the College of Medicine. The program, launched in 2013 through Texas A&M’s Telehealth Counseling Clinic (TCC), works with the county and Faith Mission to offer services at the Washington County Health Services Center, located in the former Brenham Police Department.
Washington County Sheriff’s Captain Eric Hensley said the Sheriff’s Office has been in a partnership with Texas A&M for a little over two months to bring services to Washington County Jail inmates. He said the program has proved to be very beneficial for inmates, providing anger management and mental health counseling.
TCC Director Dr. Carly McCord said the county taking part in this program “exemplifies” the county’s commitment to its constituents and care for their well-being.
Commissioner Candice Bullock said this has been a “wonderful working partnership”, and said she looks forward to finding creative ways to expand on the services offered. Commissioner Don Koester said this service gives prisoners “a chance to get better”, while Commissioner Kirk Hanath said it gets help for the people that need it most.
Also in court Tuesday, commissioners rescinded a tax phase-in abatement for the Valmont Coating building and equipment, located at 2551 Valmont Avenue. Last year, Valmont relocated Brenham’s galvanizing kettle to a facility near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Washington County Judge John Durrenberger said Valmont voluntarily withdrew from the abatement after not being able to fulfill all obligations. Commissioner Joy Fuchs said nothing had been abated for Valmont, and they paid their full taxes.
City of Brenham Economic Development Director Susan Cates told commissioners that Valmont has “great plans for 2020-21” to expand fully into the vacated space with additional business offerings in the structures and utility sides of their business. She said Valmont is anticipating adding another 30 new positions this year, and continues to be “a great and thriving company in our community”.
Commissioners also:
- Passed a resolution of intent to establish the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program in Washington County, and set a public hearing date on the program for Tuesday, February 4th at 9 a.m. during commissioners court.
- Approved a resolution authorizing the county’s environmental health department to submit a grant application for funding to conduct a household hazardous waste collection event for Washington County residents.
- Set rental fees for the ExpressVote voting machines.
- Heard a series of monthly, quarterly, and annual reports.