CEDAR COUNTY COMMISSION

The Cedar County Commission met September 12, 2022. Present were: Marlon Collins, Presiding Commissioner; Don Boultinghouse, Northern Commissioner; Ted Anderson, Southern Commissioner; Heather York, County Clerk.

Met with Chad Pyle, Assessor

Requests to process court order #27904-27912 to add-on the assessed valuation of newly purchased personal property.

Motion by Anderson to appointment Frank Brumfield from Deputy Coroner to Coroner for the interim time frame until the Governor appoints a new full time Coroner, second by Boultinghouse.  Anderson – Yes; Boultinghouse – Yes; Collins – Yes

10:00 a.m. Bid Opening for Interior Painting of the Cedar County Courthouse

No new bids were received for the interior painting.  The original bid submitted by Wayne Yakel Painting in June 2022 was re-submitted for the current bid request.

Motion by Boultinghouse to decline the Interior Painting bid resubmitted by Wayne Yakel  Painting, second by

Anderson.  Anderson – Yes; Boultinghouse – Yes; Collins – Yes

Discussed participation in the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program being encouraged for statewide participation.  Pharmacists are requesting the commission adopt an ordinance and enroll in the drug monitoring program in order to prevent patients from being prescribed multiple controlled substances at a time by more than one doctor.  Held a conference call with Kevin McCullogh, Evans Drug pharmacist to discuss the program goals.  The pilot program began about 3 years ago.  Only pharmacies, doctors, and providers will have restricted access, NO public access.  Any patients with any type of controlled med will be reported in this system and will be verifiable across county and state lines.  This prevents patients from going from one doctor to another to get the same RX.  In counties like ours where we are not enrolled in the program, this prevents doctors and pharmacists from providing the best, most educated care for a patient.  If there is any cost involved in the program the pharmacies would be willing to accept the cost in order to limit the overuse of these drugs.

Sheriff Jim McCrary stopped in, but was obligated to court hearings being held this morning, so he was unable to bring his weekly report to the commission.

Conference call with Victoria Barker, Cedar County Health Department

Discussed hiring an Environmental Health inspector and the requirements that are needed for this.  Some of the requirements are 4 year science degree, and some septic courses.  Cedar County has 75 establishments have to be inspected each year; some are 3, 2 or 1 times per year. Vernon County is interested in taking whomever we hire for 2 days a week, and possibly 1 day a week in Bates County that is also currently subcontracted with Vernon.  The current Vernon County Health Inspector is retiring next year.  The current health inspector in Polk County is making in the range of $21 to $25 per hour, the commission will agree to this range for consideration.

Met with DJ Ford, Road and Bridge Supervisor

Graders are at Philly.  Concrete was poured to repair CR3420012 on CR1674 last week.  Turkey Creek Bridge needed boards last week.

Met with Claudia Sands, Century Link/Lumen

Century Link/Lumen is becoming Brightspeed in October 2022.  Brightspeed will be upgrading existing copper plants with fiber opt with a build plan from 2022-2023.  Fiber optics will be installed above and below ground.  Brighspeed uses 2 Gig, symmetrical and scalable fiber.  This coverage will be focused in the City of El Dorado Springs and immediate surrounding area, as well as Jerico Springs.    

Motion by Boultinghouse to issue a letter of support for fiber optic expansion for Century Link (BrightSpeed) services, second by Anderson.   Anderson – Yes; Boultinghouse – Yes; Collins – Yes

Signed cancellation policies for Anthem Group Health Insurance effective for 9/30/22.

Viewed information provided by Kaysinger Basin Regional Planning Commission noting the next TAC (Transportation Advisory Committee) meeting for the new bridge program developed by MODOT.   

Prepared and signed a letter of support for Brightspeed fiber broadband.

Responded to participate in CCMH’s request to attend town hall meetings that will be scheduled in October for Community Health Needs Assessment.

Viewed weekly report from Cedar County Health Department and COVID count.

Signed a letter for traffic jurisdiction certificate from Windstream.

Approved accounts payable.