The Cherokee County Commission is stepping up their fight against America’s ongoing Opioid epidemic by joining a civil lawsuit against distributors. The commission went into a brief Executive Session on Monday morning and then returned with Commissioner Marcie Foster making the following recommendation –
That motion passed unanimously. The three companies named in the lawsuit McKesson Corp., Amerisource Bergen and Cardinal Health account for $400 billion in combined revenue and control more than 80 percent of the prescription Opioid market.
You can view that Resolution by clicking here
In other business, Cherokee County Probate Judge Tim Burgess officially swore Tracy Nelson in as Cherokee County’s newest law enforcement officer. Nelson will be working as a part-time deputy at the sheriff’s office. Nelson is a former Game and Fish Officer.
Deputy Administrator Daniel Steele was unanimously appointed to the position of County Administrator in the wake of former Administrator Tim Burgess being appointed to the position of County Commission Chairman/Probate Judge. This will be a raise from Grade 9, Step 3 to Grade 12, Step 1.
In other business, the commission reappointed Connie Coley to a six year term on the CED Mental Health Board. The commission also approved a motion to appoint Doug Davis to a four year term on the Cherokee County Public Building Authority, Commission Chairman Tim Burgess stated that this is a three person board and that two others to join Davis and those individuals will be appointed at a later time.
A motion was also passed designating People’s Bank and Union State Bank as the county depositories. A motion was adopted approving the posting for an Accounts Payable Clerk, this comes with the announcement that current Clerk Frieda Kelsey will be retiring in February.
The commission also passed a motion to close the County Administration Building from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 15th for the annual Christmas Luncheon. Christmas Holiday was approved for all County Employees for Friday, December 22 and Monday, December 25 and all county offices will be closed those days.
An amendment to the budget was approved, this amendment will include a request for funding from the Cherokee County Healthcare Authority to provide $35,000 to fund the hiring of a Mental Health officer.
Also approved was the State Homeland Grant Cooperation Agreement for the Spring Creek Fire Department in the amount of $23,070, Mt. Weisner Fire Department in the amount of $30,415 and the McCords Fire Department in the amount of $43,982.
The next regular meeting of the Cherokee County Commission will be Monday, January 8, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. with the Work Session at 4:00 p.m. in the County Administration Building.