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Last updated on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
(BEDFORD) - The Lawrence County Commissioners voted to approve an application to apply with a credit card service that would allow residents to pay court and probation fees, and post bond with a credit or debit card.
Currently, residents must pay cash when posting bond or paying fees. County Clerk Myron Rainey, hopes to have a final contract with CSI by the end of the week.
"It will just make it easier for people who are arrested to post bond at the jail because we will have a machine there. It will allow those who have a probation fee that is due and don't have the cash to charge it on their credit card, thus keeping a warrant from being issued for their arrest," Rainey says. "We will require them to present a valid ID when doing the transaction. The name on the credit card must match that on the driver's license or we will not do the transaction. That way we will prevent anyone from using a stolen credit card or one that they have taken from a family member without permission."
Rainey added residents will not be able to use a credit card to make child support payments.
"But we hope to offer that service in the future," he said.
A small fee will be added to each credit transaction. Rainey says that fee will be established in the final contract and will probably be a small percentage of the amount paid.
In other business:
* The highway department asked the commissioners to sign a contract with White River Co-Op for this winters LP gas.
* The bridge crews are doing culvert work and pouring cement walls on Shawswick Station Road.
* The tower on Woodsferry Road was hit by lightening and Highway Superintendent Dave Holmes says about 360 feet of Coax cable and the antenna will need replaced. He is estimating it will cost about $3,600. Holmes told the commissioners he has turned the estimates and damage report into the county's insurance company.
* The commissioners voted to allow county workers in the Wellness program to go to other workout facilities in the county. Currently, employees were limited to the use of Healthy Balance. Now, they can chose where they want to exercise. Currently only 10 percent of the employees are participating in the Wellness Program and commissioners are hoping with opening the options on where to exercise, more employees will participate in the program.
"This is a positive thing," said Commissioner Bill Spreen. "I think this will get more people to participate in the program. I have heard from some who have been on a number of medication, since exercising and participating in the program they no long have to take the medications."
Commissioner Chris May says if more people don't start using the program he feels the commissioners should take another look at continuing it.
* The commissioners approved a contract with Delta Services for $13,200 to remove the asbestos from the former courthouse annex.
* Chief Deputy Mike Branham told the commissioners there are 109 inmates housed in the county jail; 19 were female and 14 Department of Correction inmates.
* The commissioner asked Branham to contact the volunteer fire department to see if the burn ban could be lifted.
Commissioner David Flinn says the county is still pretty dry, but did agree the commissioners needed an update on conditions.
* The commissioners heard a presentation from ITJ about a possible county wide drug testing program.
Mike Williams, president of the firm told the commissioners the company could provide a comprehensive drug testing program for all county workers, including the sheriff's department.
They could also keep maintenance files for employees who have CDLs which means they would keep track of CDL physical and licensing requirements. They also would do motor vehicle license checks for anyone that drove county own vehicles and could run background checks on new hires.
Williams says the company could offer the service at a cheaper rate then Midwest Toxicology, who currently does drug testing for the county.
The commissioner decided to look over the documentation Williams provided and discuss the counties options.
* Commissioner Chris May provided a report from Parker Insurance on what the county has spent on insurance in past years. In 2008 to 2009 the county spent $1.9 million dollars; in 2009 to 2010, $1.4 million; in 2010 to 2011 $1.6 million.
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