Washington County commissioners approve routine contracts, appoint counsel and proclaim January human trafficking awareness month

The Washington County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 8, 2026, approved a slate of routine contract extensions, personnel appointments and grant‑funded agreements and adopted a proclamation declaring January 2026 Human Trafficking Awareness Month.

The board moved quickly through a long consent docket that included procurement extensions for correctional linens, electrical service and parts, a renewal of the county solicitor contract and a workers' compensation policy for Probation Services. Chief Clerk staff presented multiple appointments to advisory bodies and a set of provider and grant agreements that commissioners approved on roll call.

Why it matters: several of the approved items commit county funds or authorize county action in the coming year. Notable items recorded in the meeting packet and approved by the commissioners include retaining county counsel at $185,000 for 2026, an Excalibur workers' compensation policy premium of $210,936 for Probation Services, approval of provider agreements for residential adolescent treatment services totaling $600,000 for fiscal year 2025–26, and a maintenance agreement for the county's UPS systems at $27,035.44. An emergency purchase of two commercial dryers for the correctional facility was also approved; the cost will be paid from operational funds and reimbursed by the insurer minus the deductible.

The board unanimously adopted a proclamation recognizing January 2026 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month in Washington County. Leslie Mylan, First Assistant in the district attorney's office, accepted the proclamation on behalf of the county stop team and task force and thanked commissioners for their support: “So that's very important to us, and we very much appreciate your support, and the funding that you give to us.” The proclamation text cited nationwide victim estimates and urged residents to report suspected trafficking to the national hotline.

Public comment: Fern Seibert, a volunteer organizer from Clayton County, urged the county to support neighborhood cleanup efforts ahead of the NFL draft and asked residents and groups to help clean from the trolley museum to the courthouse. “Let's showcase Washington County for the NFL draft,” Seibert said, urging volunteers to meet for an informational session and sign up via a posted QR code.

What was procedural: Most items were handled as routine agenda approvals — motions were made, seconded and approved by roll call for each item. The meeting packet listed specific contract terms, effective dates and funding sources where applicable; the board recorded roll‑call approval for each motion.

Votes at a glance - Proclamation: Adopted — proclamation designating January 2026 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month (motion carried by roll call). - County solicitor contract: Approved — Sweatt Law Offices retained as county solicitor for 2026 at $185,000 (motion carried). - Workers' compensation policy (Probation Services): Approved — Excalibur Insurance premium $210,936 (motion carried). - Residential adolescent treatment services: Approved — provider agreements totaling $600,000 for 07/01/2025–06/30/2026 (motion carried). - UPS maintenance (Vertiv): Approved — $27,035.44 maintenance agreement (motion carried). - Emergency purchase: Approved — two commercial dryers for corrections to be purchased and later reimbursed by insurance (motion carried).

Next steps: The board's next regular meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Feb. 5, 2026. Several of the approved contracts are effective Jan. 1, 2026, and will be implemented by the responsible county departments.