BAMBERG - Bamberg County residents may not have to shell out as much money for their prescription drugs with the help of a nationally-sponsored discount program.

As a member of the National Association of Counties, it will benefit from a contract the Association signed with Caremark Rx Inc., a Nashville, Tenn.-based pharmaceutical services company, to provide prescription discount drug cards for member counties to offer uninsured and under-insured patients.

Bamberg County Council Monday night agreed to give Administrator Rose Dobson-Elliott permission to enter into the contract.

"It actually costs the county nothing other than some staff time to do the ... paperwork and with ... a designated person to hand out the cards. We will get the cards in. As soon as we issue them, we're done with it," Dobson-Elliott said.

The free prescription discount card will offer an average savings of 20 percent off the retail price of commonly prescribed drugs. While the card can't be used in conjunction with other insurance, insured residents can still use the card to purchase prescriptions that are not covered by their existing insurance plan.

"You wouldn't believe how many citizens, especially between the ages of 21 and 50, that have no insurance. That would at least help them get in the door. That's something we're giving back to our citizens," Councilwoman Alzena Robinson said. "I think it's a good idea, and I support it 100 percent."

Orangeburg, Hampton and Barnwell counties are among those already participating in the NACo Prescription Discount Card program.

"Once we sign up, we'll be getting some fliers from them (Caremark), and we'll be sending those out," Dobson-Elliott said.

For more information on the discount drug program, visit https://naco.advancerx.com or call 1-877-321-2652.

In other business, council:

* Presented the following employee service awards: five-year plaques, Joyce H. Dwight, Carol Smith McMichael and Dorothy B. Walker; 10-year service bars, R. Watson Carter and George W. Folk Sr.; 20-year service bar, Rose R. Shepherd; 30-year service bar, Isaiah Odom; 35-year service bar, Nancy H. Green.

Connie Chassereau, Gloria L. Hammond, Gertie Johnson, Joseph Linder, Paul A. Murden and Henry R. Padgett were not present to receive their five-year plaques, nor were Alicia R. Bell 10-year service bar) and John E. Johnson (20-year service bar). Sheriff John Edward Darnell was also not present to receive his 30-year service bar.

* Gave final third-reading approval to an ordinance for implementation of flood damage prevention. County building inspector Bill Johnson said the ordinance will make it easier for residents to receive FEMA reimbursements if they sustain flood damage.

* Approved on final third reading an ordinance to turn over county-owned Edisto Drive Road in the Holman's Bridge Community to the West Edisto Club. Council Chairman Chris Wilson said he still wanted Dobson-Elliott to "double check" with county attorney Richard Ness to make sure the county will not encounter any liability issues associated with road usage.

* Heard Dobson-Elliott report that the county has tried to get the Litter Control Board members to develop subcommittees charged with picking up trash in their areas. Councilman William Nimmons said he heard that some board members were not taking advantage of grants geared toward litter control and that some funds were possibly sent back.

"I would just suggest that we really (keep in) close touch with our appointees to make sure that they attend the meetings ... and take advantage of whatever's offered," Nimmons said.

Robinson said the administrator should compile an attendance list of all members who serve on county boards. Dobson-Elliott stating that her office hopes to have a complete list by January.

"There's a little bit of an impetus on the board itself and the chairmen of those boards to step forward and say, 'Hey, I got a problem,'" said Wilson, noting that the administrator was busy enough without "checking attendance like a school teacher." The council agreed it needed to hear from chairpersons of county boards at least twice a year beginning next year.

* Heard Dobson-Elliott report that the state Department of Commerce assigned Hank Taylor as the county's new senior project manager. She also reported that the county has arranged for census worker training to be held at 10:30 a.m. at the Council Chambers on North Street on Dec. 8, 15, 22 and 29 and Jan. 5, 12, 19 and 26.

* The administrator reported that Denmark signed a contract for the county to regulate its public nuisance and unfit dwellings enforcement, with Ehrhardt, Govan and Olar expected to follow suit.

T&D Staff Writer Dionne Gleaton can be reached by e-mail at dgleaton@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5534. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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