The Anson County Board of Commissioners approved fee increases at the Health Department at its meeting Jan. 5.

Tuberculosis tests increased to $20 from $15. Employment and sports physicals increased from $30 plus lab results to $45 plus lab results. College physicals increased from $30 plus lab results to $75 plus lab results.

Venipuncture is now $8 instead of $5. A complete tuberculosis form was free but will now cost $10. A Hepatitis B vaccination will now cost $70 instead of $60.

Copies will be $1 minimum with a charge of $0.75 per page up to 25 pages, $0.50 per page up to 100 pages and $0.25 per page over 100 pages. A TDaP (Tetanus, Diptheria and Pertussis) vaccine, which was previously free, will now cost $60.

Windstream must pay penalty

A consultant for Windstream, John Phillips, asked the county to compromise or adjust a penalty imposed by the state for late listing of its property. The 10-percent penalty, which is called a discovery penalty, totaled $11,680.71.

Phillips said Windstream believed it had received an extension of time to file the required assessment for public service corporation property.

"I think this is a very serious matter," Commission Chairperson Anna Baucom said. She expressed her desire for the county to wait and decide what was best.

"This is Anson County money," Commissioner Jim Sims said. He added he does not represent Windstream but believed the man when he said Windstream's mistake was unintentional.

Sims, seconded by Commissioner Jarvis Woodburn, moved Windstream's request be denied. Only Baucom voted against the motion. Commissioner Harold Smith was absent.

Commissioner Ross Streater, a Windstream employee, was recused from the vote at his request.

Other business

The Commission will consider the feasibility of a proposal by Tom Kepper of Greenfield Power, to install a 250kW solar panel system at the Waste Treatment Plant.

He emphasized the panels could be installed at no cost to the county. The energy produced by the panels is sold to the state and the county could receive a percentage of the gross revenues.

"I think this is the future," Baucom said.

The commissioners decided to investigate the possibility of leasing the National Guard Armory to VFW Post 10403.

Kristy Phifer and Grady Kindley were re-appointed to a one-year term on the Anson County Transportation Advisory Board.

Commissioners Woodburn and Streater were re-appointed to serve as the delegate and alternate, respectively, to the Centralina Council of Governments.

Jamie Caudle was named Richard Tucker's replacement on the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board.