Marion County cited for steller workplace safety

Marion County Seal

V. Hugh Lewis II

Jefferson Jimplecute

Marion County has earned a 2022 Zero Lost Time Safety Award from the Texas Association of Counties Risk Management Pool (TAC RMP) for its record of no lost workdays during the 2022 coverage year.

Through its commitment to safe practices among county employees, Marion County works to reduce employee injuries and obtain substantial savings for taxpayers by minimizing workers’ compensation costs.

A total of 114 TAC RMP members participating in the Workers’ Compensation Program quali-fied to receive this award in 2022. 

It was announced during Monday’s regular Commissioners Court meeting.

Awareness of issues and working to correct them continued during the meeting as April was designated Sexual Assault Awareness Month following the approval of a proclamation from County Commissioners and Women’s Center of East Texas. 

Commissioners also re-approved March as being Developmental Disability Awareness Month following a wording error on their last agenda.

Marion County Judge Leward LaFleur tasked Commissioners with providing the Marion County Coalition for Health Disparities with the names of individuals from their precincts who would work with MCCHD on identifying and helping make residents aware of the health resources available to the area, and how to improve those resources. 

MCCHD was formed through a grant awarded to the Texas Department of State Health Ser-vices. 

Commissioners were asked to provide 3-4 names each to the Judge as soon as possible. The group meets every two weeks from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at St. Paul UMC. 

The meetings are open to the public to attend to either participate or just obtain more infor-mation.

Lake Patrol is hoping to increase their presence this year as Commissioners approved funding for 424 hours of time for the group. The Patrol works in various areas on and around the lake to help, “keep the peace and increase public safety in parks and other designated Corps areas,” according to the agreement.

The public’s options for paying for services in the County Clerk’s office will improve later this year as Commissioners approved the addition of a credit card terminal for the office. 

IDC Web Services will be providing the system which will integrate with the County’s existing systems. 

The Clerk’s office will incur a one-time fee of $225 for the terminal and an annual machine maintenance fee of $60. 

Customers utilizing the payment option will pay a 2.99% credit card fee which will be added to the cost of services.

In other business, Commissioners approved a Memorandum of Understanding with Harleton WSC for the administration of a 23/24 TxCDBG project, if awarded; and approved all financial reports and obligations for the County.

The Court will meet again on April 10.