Washington County officials encourage support of children services levy
(Photo by Amber Phipps) Washington County Department of Job and Family Services Director Flite Freimann stated that children services requires more funding due to the increase in child placement costs. The levy on May 6 would approve funding of $500,000 to go towards supporting children services and placement.
(Photo by Amber Phipps) The owners of Jeremiah’s Coffee House said during Thursday’s Washington County Commission meeting that the courthouse cafe will be open on or before June 1.
(Photo by Amber Phipps) Washington County Department of Job and Family Services Director Flite Freimann stated that children services requires more funding due to the increase in child placement costs. The levy on May 6 would approve funding of $500,000 to go towards supporting children services and placement.
(Photo by Amber Phipps) The owners of Jeremiah’s Coffee House said during Thursday’s Washington County Commission meeting that the courthouse cafe will be open on or before June 1.
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With a levy on the May ballot for children services funding, Washington County commissioners on Thursday recognized the week of April 21-25 as National Home Visiting Week.
"Home visiting programs help parents meet the unique needs of their children, promote healthy development, strengthen family relationships, reduce the risk of abuse and neglect and promote equity by providing resources to families who are furthest from opportunity," said Commissioner Charlie Schilling.
The commissioners asked everyone in attendance at Thursday's meeting to vote in the May 6 election and support the funding for children services. The 0.5-mill levy would generate $974,000 a year and cost $18 for every $100,000 of appraised value.
"If the children services levy does not pass, then I'm going to be in here every month to say that I've got bills that need to be paid," said Flite Freimann, director of Washington County Department of Job and Family Services.
The commission approved the appropriation of $20,000 to house prisoners at the Monroe County Jail, due to there not being enough bed space for prisoners at the Washington County Jail.
"Unfortunately, we have to move them out and Monroe County has bent over backwards to help us in that endeavor," Sheriff Mark Warden said. "That number should start coming down soon."
The original appropriation asked for $100,000 but after discussion amongst the commissioners and the sheriff, a decision was made to pay the current cost of $20,000 and determine future inmate costs on a month-by-month basis.
Schilling said he was in favor of paying the current bill of $20,000 and evaluating monthly because of fluctuating inmate costs.
"I'd rather appropriate more to not handicap the sheriff but I will second the motion," Commissioner James Booth said.
After last week's approval of Jeremiah's Coffee House as the business to run the courthouse cafe, commissioners approved a lease agreement Thursday.
Jeremiah's Coffee house owners and sisters Liz and Karen Johnson said they expect to open on or before June 1.