WASHINGTON

Washington County supervisors Tuesday strongly indicated they will take action on compensation (pay) for officials next week after voting 5-0 to defer the decision on whether the unpaid volunteer compensation committee should continue or be disbanded. Presently, the committee reviews the issue and makes a recommendation to the supervisors who make the final decision, either accepting or altering the proposal.

Supervisor Jack Seward, Jr reported he has spoken with a number of residents and asked for an additional week to permit more public input. In an earlier session he stressed that the committee could be called back into service by the board at any time. He also stressed that there needs to be a decision next week.

Equally likely is a decision to be made next week about the proposed county wind ordinance that dates to February with action still deferred. In Tuesday’s brief discussion, references were made to two key issues: setbacks for the wind turbines from individual property lines and what happens to the equipment when it is decommissioned. Currently, the equipment is estimated to have a 20-year lifetime, and questions have been raised about its removal and/or disposal. There also are questions about its effect on adjoining property values, as well as what regulations the site will enact.

The board voted unanimously to have the ordinance on next week’s agenda.

The board also had an update regarding the rebuilding of the communications tower in Wellman, learning Phase One has gone well and that Phase Two, at $62,250, is underway. The project jointly involves Wellman and the county with Wellman Telephone Company rebuilding the tower destroyed by a tornado March 31, 2023. The county owns the communications equipment that will be placed on the tower, an arrangement the has existed for several years between the county and the company that asked for the board to be provided information regarding progress and cost on the tower replacement.

In other business, the board approved hiring Garren Stacy, Secondary Roads, as equipment operator based in Rubio at $26.98 hourly, effective July 30, 2024; renewed the Class C liquor license for the Washington Golf and Country Club; and acknowledged Ida Bryson’s $150 donation to the county K-9 unit.

During the individual board member comment time, there was a discussion about the 50-cent telephone line surcharge that helps finance emergency services, especially regarding a possible increase to 75 cents with 35 percent of the funds allocated to the county ambulance services, 15 percent to communications and the remaining 50 percent divided between the county and emergency services.

A further concern was insurance costs that have risen considerably both statewide and nationwide.