Wellness Center "no shows"

Ector County commissioners are preparing to start cracking down on “no shows” at the county’s employee wellness center.

Human resources director Pat Patton told commissioners at their meeting Monday morning that they’d had one employee fail to show up for nine appointments since the health clinic opened in August 2008. And others have missed as many as seven appointments.

“We’ve had such high use of our wellness center, I don’t understand why someone would be that unconscionable, that rude,” Patton said.

Suggestions were made of fining employees who cancel appointments without notice and cutting services from those who don’t pay their fines, but commissioners ultimately tabled taking action on how to punish “no shows.” County Judge Susan Redford said they need to study how places like Midland County and elsewhere deal with them and discuss it further at their Nov. 23 meeting.

Precinct 1 Commissioner Freddie Gardner said some action must be taken.

“I think if we don’t do something, it’s going to continue to get worse,” he said.

Commissioners also took time to honor local food service workers for making strides in food protection and sanitation practices.

Four restaurants, Fuddrucker’s in Music City Mall, Bush’s Chicken at 3901 N. Grandview Ave., Ogi’s at 4555 E. University Blvd. and Love’s Travel Stop at 1901 West Interstate 20, were lauded. Blackshear Elementary, meanwhile, picked up the “Exceptional Service Award” for schools.

Commissioners made several budget amendments that moved funds for projects that have already started into fiscal year 2009-2010. They transferred $63,324 toward expansion of Ector County Cemetery, $69,151 for the new multipurpose facility at the Ector County Youth Center and $50,000 for the expansion of the county’s building maintenance facility. The 7,160 square-foot facility will include a gymnasium, offices, restrooms and a janitor’s room.

The county also agreed to contract with Grantworks, an Austin company that assists entities in applying for grant money. The company would get a portion of a federal grant to make county buildings more energy efficient if the county is successful in applying for the grant.

The grant could be for $75,000 or more Precinct 2 Commissioner Greg Simmons said.

“It could increase if other counties or cities don’t participate,” he said.

In other action, commissioners approved:

>> Proclaiming November “Official Home Care and Hospice” month.

>> Denying a rate change for the Permian Basin Healthcare Network.

>> Accepting a $41,389 award from the U.S. Department of Justice that is reimbursement for housing illegal immigrants.

>> Tabling a vote on a conversion to Tyler’s Odyssey software.

>> Donations of a 2006 Ford truck to the West Odessa Volunteer Fire Department and a 1977 Dodge truck and a 1994 Ford truck to the Goldsmith Fire Department.

>> The purchase of a 2010 Toyota Tundra SR5 Crew Max short bed pickup for $29,000.

>> The 2009-10 Victims of Crime Act grant award from the governor’s criminal justice division for the Victim Assistance Program in the district attorney’s office.

>> A service maintenance agreement with Systech for the fire alarm system at Ector County Detention Center for $16,200 a year.

>> The 2010 Texas state Library Loan Star Grant for $20,952.

>> A request that the county accept maintenance and signage of the roads at Gunsmoke subdivision.