MINERAL WELLS — PALO PINTO – Fresh from the “Healthy County Training” last week in Austin, Commissioners Court Assistant Iris Stagner informed her bosses of the incentives that await counties participating in the health challenge program.

“We could get $5,000 this year,” she told commissioners, and that’s money to the county, because participants get their own set of rewards.

She said Palo Pinto County scored as one of the top three counties in employee participation last year.

“I want to do a lot better,” she said, warning commissioners that she would lean on them. “I really need to get you behind it. You guys have to support it.”

“Our elected officials and department heads have to get behind this program. Wichita County had half of their employees participate and they had meetings with different departments,” said Stagner.

She cited many positive outcomes besides the Texas Association of Counties’ cash and gift card incentives.

“By participating in the wellness program … the costs of health care go down,” she said.

The program encourages county employees to exercise and learn to eat better, according to Stagner.  For those participating, the TAC pays half their deductible on maintenance medication.

She also reported on another conference she attended in Austin, the Texas Trails and Active Transportation Conference. This meeting promoted walking commuting on short trips by walking and riding bikes.

The federal government gives money to the states for paths and bike routes, according to Stagner. She also noted that in this area people are actually using routes like the Mineral Wells State Park and Trailway to commute to work.

At the second conference, Stagner gave a presentation on how Palo Pinto County got the state to install bike caution signs on roads like Farm-to-Market Road 4. She said she told people she didn’t make it happen alone, but credited community support through resolutions and petitions.

In other business, commissioners:

• Declared March “Meals On Wheels Month” in a proclamation.

• Issued a statement after a closed session meeting. Smiddy read, “Due to the recent discovery of acts by a former employee – not one who has recently retired – which alleged action will be referred to the Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney for possible criminal action. No further comment will be made, consistent with the county’s fraud policy.”

• Approved a new election day polling site for Precinct 9 – Sportsman’s World, Gaines Bend and The Cliffs. Voting will take place at the Sportsman’s World Volunteer Fire Department/Community Center, located at 3140 Hell’s Gate Loop.

    South central Mineral Wells voting Precincts 11, 17, 25 and 30 also have a new polling site at the Knights of Pythias Hall building, located at 610 S.E. 14th Street (the corner of 6th Avenue and 14th Street).

• Reappointed Barry Gill to another two-year term as fire marshal, effective Feb. 26. Gill said he is completing his fourth year in the role. He also serves as the county’s emergency management coordinator, a position appointed by the county judge, who serves as the county’s emergency management director.

• Discussed what Smiddy called a “first glance” architectural draft for the Palo Pinto Annex. Smiddy said architect Charlie Kearns suggested they go through the draft and make changes. Commissioners decided to table further decisions until commissioners could peruse the draft.

• Approved the 2009 financial report from Palo Pinto County Emergency Service District #1.

• Discussed in length the voluntary dental plan with Delta Dental.

• Renewed the county inmate medical services contract with Dr. John Jones. Sheriff Ira Mercer said the county saved some money with this service. “It’s not near as much because he doesn’t prescribe as much psychotropic dope.” This is typically prescribed medication intended to affect or alter thought processes, mood, sleep, or behavior, including, but not limited to, anti-psychotic, antidepressant and anxiolytic medications.

• Approved donating a list of objects from the county’s Palo Pinto Café building to the Palo Pinto County Historical Commission for the Old Jail Museum complex. Judge Smiddy said they will inventory the remaining kitchen equipment and decorative objects and consider having an auction.

• Set the speed limit at 20 mph on Marsden and Pickwick roads in Precinct 2.

• Approved storing county voting machines in the café building. County Clerk Bobby Smith said the café could also be used for the early-voting site in future years.

Staff writer Libby Cluett can be reached at (940) 325-4465, ext. 3422, or lcluett@mineralwellsindex.com.