County commission honors workers

Columbia County commissioners named the county's Internet Technology department the Team of the Year during a Tuesday meeting.

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During the past year, the IT department has been nationally recognized for its renovations to the county's data center. IT employees also are improving county government's Intranet capabilities and working on a grant to provide free broadband access to much of the community.

"They're all so professional," Deputy Administrator Scott Johnson said. "They do an outstanding job for us."

Recognized as Employee of the Year during the meeting was budget accountant Danika Bly.

"It is so fitting in this time of recession that an employee from (Financial Services) would win Employee of the Year," commission Chairman Ron Cross said.

Bly, who started with the county in 2002 as a payroll analyst, was recognized for her willingness to help those in need with a cheerful attitude.

Also at the meeting, commissioners agreed to join the Energy Communities Alliance, a group of communities near operations conducting activities involving the federal Department of Energy and the National Nuclear Security Administration, such as Savannah River Site and Plant Vogtle.

ECA members are allowed to send two representatives to conferences, board meetings and workshops with federal officials to share information, discuss policy, and advocate community interests and economic development.

The commission joined ECA at the urging of the SRS Community Reuse Organization, which agreed to pay the county's $2,500 membership for 2010 and half the fee for 2011. The county will be responsible for paying the full membership fee in 2012.

A $665,000 bid from Blair Construction Inc. was accepted last week by commissioners for paving Linder McCurdy and Dent roads. County documents did not specify when the work might start.