During the April Long County Commission meeting, commissioners said they will look into establishing a wellness program for county employees and senior citizens.
According to Chairman Bobby Walker, the program will offer many benefits, including blood pressure and diabetes screenings, and reduced-price medicines.
“It’s going to be a good program for our employees and it also will be a good thing for the seniors in the county,” he said. “Right now, we’re just looking for the right plan that will be best for us.”
On the issue of health care, Walker said the board recently renegotiated its contract for providing health insurance to employees, and secured a cheaper rate. According to the chairman, the county will save $90,000 for the rest of this budget year. Next year, the total savings will be $390,000.
The board also heard a presentation by Long County Family Connections Executive Director William Miller. He requested financial assistance for funding a program designed to improve peer relations/drug education in schools. The commission approved $7,000 for the program, which will come from the Drug Awareness Treatment Education Funds program.
County resident Kate Griffiths asked commissioners when the proposed animal control project will begin. Walker said the project is a little behind because of funding issues. He said the county is in the process of training employees.
In other business:
• The board heard a request from Sheriff Cecil Nobles, who asked commissioners to consider building a jail for the county.
• Commissioner David Richardson reported the E-911 project is moving forward. The communication center’s tentative opening date is May 1. Richardson also said many residents have not posted address numbers on their mailboxes and homes. This needs to be done.
• Liberty Regional Medical Center CEO Scott Kroell gave commissioners a report on the hospital, physician recruitment and the proposed adult day care center, which will be built in Long County. According to Kroell, the center will be at Coastal Manor Long Term Care Facility, but no completion dates have been set.
According to Chairman Bobby Walker, the program will offer many benefits, including blood pressure and diabetes screenings, and reduced-price medicines.
“It’s going to be a good program for our employees and it also will be a good thing for the seniors in the county,” he said. “Right now, we’re just looking for the right plan that will be best for us.”
On the issue of health care, Walker said the board recently renegotiated its contract for providing health insurance to employees, and secured a cheaper rate. According to the chairman, the county will save $90,000 for the rest of this budget year. Next year, the total savings will be $390,000.
The board also heard a presentation by Long County Family Connections Executive Director William Miller. He requested financial assistance for funding a program designed to improve peer relations/drug education in schools. The commission approved $7,000 for the program, which will come from the Drug Awareness Treatment Education Funds program.
County resident Kate Griffiths asked commissioners when the proposed animal control project will begin. Walker said the project is a little behind because of funding issues. He said the county is in the process of training employees.
In other business:
• The board heard a request from Sheriff Cecil Nobles, who asked commissioners to consider building a jail for the county.
• Commissioner David Richardson reported the E-911 project is moving forward. The communication center’s tentative opening date is May 1. Richardson also said many residents have not posted address numbers on their mailboxes and homes. This needs to be done.
• Liberty Regional Medical Center CEO Scott Kroell gave commissioners a report on the hospital, physician recruitment and the proposed adult day care center, which will be built in Long County. According to Kroell, the center will be at Coastal Manor Long Term Care Facility, but no completion dates have been set.