The Jefferson County Quorum Court has approved additional funding to continue janitorial services at the county Health Department through the end of the year, while a separate proposal dealing with the use of county equipment for cyberbullying has been tabled.
The county’s contract with Beyond Clean Janitorial Services is facing an approximately $18,000 budget shortfall, requiring an additional appropriation to continue the service.
Justice of the Peace Reginald Johnson opposed providing additional money for the current contractor and instead called for the county to replace the company.
County Judge Ivan Whitfield recommended keeping Beyond Clean through the end of the year and then giving the county an opportunity to identify another janitorial company. The Quorum Court accepted Whitfield’s recommendation and approved the ordinance providing the additional funding needed to continue the contract.
Meanwhile, a proposed ordinance aimed at preventing Jefferson County employees and contractors from using county-owned electronic devices to bully or harass citizens has been tabled.
The measure was sponsored by Justice of the Peace Alfred Carroll, but failed to receive enough support to move forward. Carroll expressed disappointment that his colleagues were unwilling to approve the proposal.
The ordinance is not dead and is expected to return for another reading during next month’s Quorum Court meeting.
Justice of the Peace Conley Byrd, who supported tabling the proposal, has indicated he wants stronger penalties included in the ordinance before he will support the measure.
