Thursday's Internet Edition, September 02, 2010.

The program offered through the Roane County Commission’s membership in the National Association of Counties helps residents save money on prescription medications any time those prescriptions are not covered by insurance.

Savings average 22 percent. All county residents, regardless of age, income or existing health coverage, may use the cards. There is no enrollment form, membership fee or restrictions or limits on frequency of use.

Roane residents will be eligible to make use of the program beginning Tuesday, Sept. 14. The free cards will be available at all three county pharmacies and the county clerk’s office in the courthouse. Cards may also be printed by going to caremark.com/naco.

Nine of 10 pharmacies nationwide accept the discount card, which can be shared by family members if so desired.

“It’s a benefit for everyone in Roane County,” Rodney Cox, the commission president, said after a Tuesday meeting at the courthouse when the start date was announced.

Cox noted that Roane was the last county in the state to join the national association. No fees other than the annual dues the county pays are involved in the program. He said the discount prescription card was a major reason commissioners voted to join the association this year.

Also Tuesday, Commissioners David Boothe, John Greathouse and Cox approved a one-year contract with Silling & Associates to provide architectural services for county projects. Effective Sept. 1, the contract allows a fee of no more than 10 percent of any project.

Upcoming projects include improving security for the adult probation officer’s office and installing exterior windows and heating and cooling units in the courthouse. County administrative assistant Jennifer Randolph discussed the schedule for implementing an approximately $200,000 grant the county received for improving energy efficiency, which includes courthouse upgrades. The Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Council is administering the grant.

In other business, commissioners voted to revise Camp Sheppard rental fees. Cox said the camp’s advisory committee endorsed the changes to discourage people from renting the entire camp if they did not need all the facilities.

Reservations taken starting Oct. 1 for 2011 will be for the following daily rates: $600 for the entire camp (was $500), $450 for the assembly hall with four cabins and two athletic fields and $350 for the assembly hall and two cabins. The seven cabins available will go for $150, or $75 each when renting the hall on the same day.

Prices for the athletic fields only ($30), assembly hall ($200), grove area ($60) and RV sites ($25) remain unchanged.

Commissioners also:

ν Voted to advertise for bids on a new phone system for the county 911 center.

ν Scheduled a public auction for 10 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 10 at the courthouse to sell excess equipment. The list of items includes two 2002 ambulances, a 1979 pumper truck and used office furniture.

ν Voted to install an aluminum hand railing along steps outside the courthouse. The steps are located at the front of the building on the Court Street side.

The next regular commission meeting will be Tuesday, Sept. 14 at 6:30 p.m.