MONROE - The Green County Board of Supervisors followed a sign of the times during its monthly meeting Tuesday, June 12.
In the not-so-distant past, if you wanted to harass someone, you might heckle the person face-to-face, pick up a landline telephone or write a nasty note, stick it in a stamped, addressed envelope and toss it in a mailbox.
Nowadays a bully is much more likely to taunt their victim electronically via text, email or on Facebook.
The board unanimously approved modifications to reflect this in the "Public Peace and Order" portion of the Green County Code.
"It mirrors state law," said Sheriff Jeff Skatrud in introducing the modified ordinance language. "It's a sign of the times."
The change allows law enforcement to take more immediate action in harassment cases. Instead of waiting for the district attorney to evaluate recommendations for charges based on state statutes, an officer can cite someone on the spot.
There's a monetary benefit to the county in this, too.
"If we have this in our code, (forfeitures) come back to Green County," said Brian Bucholtz, corporation counsel for the county. Previously such forfeitures would get directed to the state.
The board also approved unanimously a resolution to offer a prescription discount card program to uninsured and underinsured residents. The program is available to Green County through a partnership between the National Association of Counties and CVS Caremark.
"I think it'll be great for individuals who are struggling," said RoAnn Warden, health officer at the Green County Health Department. "Even some medications for your pets will be covered."
Additionally, the board approved the purchase of a $110,832 truck, a 2013 Western Star quad-axle chassis. The purchase was already accounted for in the annual budget, but any highway contract worth more than $75,000 must go to the board for approval.
In the not-so-distant past, if you wanted to harass someone, you might heckle the person face-to-face, pick up a landline telephone or write a nasty note, stick it in a stamped, addressed envelope and toss it in a mailbox.
Nowadays a bully is much more likely to taunt their victim electronically via text, email or on Facebook.
The board unanimously approved modifications to reflect this in the "Public Peace and Order" portion of the Green County Code.
"It mirrors state law," said Sheriff Jeff Skatrud in introducing the modified ordinance language. "It's a sign of the times."
The change allows law enforcement to take more immediate action in harassment cases. Instead of waiting for the district attorney to evaluate recommendations for charges based on state statutes, an officer can cite someone on the spot.
There's a monetary benefit to the county in this, too.
"If we have this in our code, (forfeitures) come back to Green County," said Brian Bucholtz, corporation counsel for the county. Previously such forfeitures would get directed to the state.
The board also approved unanimously a resolution to offer a prescription discount card program to uninsured and underinsured residents. The program is available to Green County through a partnership between the National Association of Counties and CVS Caremark.
"I think it'll be great for individuals who are struggling," said RoAnn Warden, health officer at the Green County Health Department. "Even some medications for your pets will be covered."
Additionally, the board approved the purchase of a $110,832 truck, a 2013 Western Star quad-axle chassis. The purchase was already accounted for in the annual budget, but any highway contract worth more than $75,000 must go to the board for approval.