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Washington County Council approves multiple appropriations, rescinds part-time designation for 911 dispatcher
Summary
The Washington County Council on April 6 approved motions to rescind a prior amendment that would have made a 911 dispatcher position part-time, approved additional appropriations for the highway and solid waste districts, accepted several tax abatement compliance forms, and scheduled a Tele‑Media Solutions abatement for May.
The Washington County Council met April 6 at the Washington County Courthouse in Salem and approved several administrative and budgetary measures, including rescinding an earlier change that would have moved a 911 dispatcher to part time.
Councilmember Todd Armstrong moved to rescind the previous amendment to the 2026 salary ordinance that had reclassified a 911 dispatcher as part time; Councilmember Gerald Fleming seconded and the motion passed, restoring the position as full time. The council earlier approved the meeting minutes at the start of the session after a motion by Councilmember Mark Abbott and a second from Councilmember Andrew Davisson.
On budget items, the council approved an additional appropriation of $796,525 for the Highway department after a motion from Councilmember Gerald Fleming and a second from Councilmember Preston Shell. Separately, Councilmember Preston Shell moved and the council approved a $210,000 additional appropriation for the Solid Waste Management District. Councilmember Andrew Davisson moved and the council approved an additional $2,249 for the Local Health Fund; the record does not show a vote tally, only that the motions passed.
The council also acted on tax abatement paperwork. Councilmember Mark Abbott moved to approve tax abatement compliance forms for Sullivan Concrete, Orange County REMC, Tele‑Media Solutions and Jackson County REMC Fiber; Councilmember Todd Armstrong seconded and the motion passed. The council was also informed of a proposed new abatement for Tele‑Media Solutions intended to expand broadband across the county; Attorney Alyssa Cochran will work with Economic Growth Director Ashley Conrad on a resolution and the item is scheduled for the May agenda.
With no further business, Councilmember Andrew Davisson moved to adjourn, a motion seconded by Councilmember Todd Armstrong that passed. Auditor Kyra Stephenson attested the minutes.
Votes at a glance (motions recorded in the meeting transcript): - Approve previous meeting minutes — mover: Mark Abbott; second: Andrew Davisson; outcome: passed. - Rescind amendment making 911 dispatcher part-time (keep full time) — mover: Todd Armstrong; second: Gerald Fleming; outcome: passed. - Approve tax abatement compliance forms for Sullivan Concrete; Orange County REMC; Tele‑Media Solutions; Jackson County REMC Fiber — mover: Mark Abbott; second: Todd Armstrong; outcome: passed. - Additional appropriation, Highway — $796,525 — mover: Gerald Fleming; second: Preston Shell; outcome: passed. - Additional appropriation, Solid Waste Management District — $210,000 — mover: Preston Shell; second: Todd Armstrong; outcome: passed. - Additional appropriation, Local Health Fund — $2,249 — mover: Andrew Davisson; second: Preston Shell; outcome: passed. - Adjourn meeting — mover: Andrew Davisson; second: Todd Armstrong; outcome: passed.
