The Washington County Board met for a long meeting last night.  County Highway Engineer Mitch Burdick said the County Highway 11 bridge, south of Hoyleton should be open in a couple of weeks, even though it might not be completed.  The Elm Road bridge should be done by the end of the month also, both weather permitting.  They conducted 119 bridge inspections in the county and all are safe, but he says they are all wearing down every year and there isn’t enough money to fix them as soon as possible.  He also reported that flooding has been extraordinary.  They have put out 17 signs, but ran out, as more roads had flooding.  They have spent 8 to 9 days this year already fixing roads due to erosion from the rain and flooding.  County Clerk Nancy Heseman reported that there will be new voter cards being mailed out.  They look much like a Nashville utility bill.

This will save the county $1,337 in postage alone with a total savings of approximately $4,225.  Employees have been requesting direct deposit, and Heseman talked about getting it set up.  It will be optional and in the next paychecks there will be a letter explaining it.  There will also be a form in there to return if wanting to use this option.  There is no extra fee to the county as it is part of their program already.  It will take a few payrolls to get it set up, as they need the employee’s banking information and then it gets set up.  The 1^st time is goes through will be a zero, just as a test to see if it goes through.  After they get the confirmation, it will be working.  This will also save in the cost of printing the checks.  Heseman is also looking at changing their election vendor.  This could result in a savings of $5,000 over the 2-year contract.  She has also applied for an $8,000 grant to help pay for election expenses.  The Board approved of 2.6 acres of land to be rezoned from agriculture to residential, so Erin Kurtz can put up a home and shed on the property.  The Board also approved of the prevailing wage rates for anyone wanting to do work for the County.  There was a law passed that mandates juror pay goes up to $25 on the first day, and then up to $50 per day after that, but no transportation reimbursements.  It had only been $15 per day.  The Board approved of this increase.  There might be a problem at some time this year, as counties didn’t budget for this increase, so it could affect the county if there are several needs for juries.   County Treasurer Kelly Cameron reported that the 2015 Mobile Home Tax went out and there were 177 tax bills sent out for a total of approximately $15,053.67 and they have received a third of the payments already.