WASHINGTON

In a half-hour meeting Tuesday, the Washington County Board of Supervisors received and approved two quarterly reports, okayed four tax exemption categories, and appointed a Veterans Affairs Commissioner.

However, before the start of official business, in public comment, they were told there are 1,000 veterans in the county with l.6 percent transgender, then asked what they will do to provide civil rights protection for them. The issue has been a peaceful protest issue at several board meetings either in Public Comment or following the meeting adjournment. The board has made no official response.

Last week, there were about 20 protesters who attended the session, displaying signs, only addressing the board after adjournment. Tuesday, the number was fewer.

The reference to veterans met the requirement that public comments relate to an agenda item and Tuesday there was a quarterly report from the county’s Veterans Affairs, noting assistance provided to veterans, including financial assistance for a veteran’s funeral. Another agenda item was the appointment of Darin Beezley to the county Veterans Affairs Commission to a term expiring June 30, 2028. The report noted there were nine requests for different forms of assistance with a total of $3,386.52 provided in the 4th quarter of 2024-25.

The quarterly report from the county Outreach program, presented by Director Joseph Williams, covering the quarter ending June 30, 2025, noted there were 126 probationers in the program, that approximately 80 percent are new to successfully finishing probation, and that total fees collected are $7,050.

The goal of the program is to lower recidivism; tracking recidivism is part of a five-year plan, supervisors were told.

In other business, the board unanimously approved the Homestead Credit, 65+ exemption, Military Services and Disabled Veteran Homestead credit. It was noted that there has been a 61% increase in Homestead exemptions. The board also approved renewal of a Class F retail alcohol license for Richmond AmVets Post 167 through July 10, 2025.

The board also learned that Public Health will move into its new facilities in Building 2 at Orchard Hill this week; that there is a now a 28E Agreement with the sheriff’s department to have a deputy on the Emergency Management Board; and that with the state rather than counties collecting various fees for services, the county has lost $26,000 to the state, which will bill counties quarterly in the state takeover of administrative services. Amounts lost vary among the counties.