September 11, 2024
Professionalism
TheRoundabout
Over 180 Employees Recognized for Service
On August 28, over 180 employees were recognized for their service to Columbia County Mary Morrison from WJBF served as our emcee. Employees were recognized for milestone years of service (5 years, 10 years, etc.). These employees previously received from their manager a pin with a particular stone embedded on it for that service year. Fifteen employees with military service were recognized, and their name will be added to the military plaque in the BOC Auditorium. Also, we saluted 15 retirees that accounted for 418 years of service! A large number of elected officials attended to show support for our county employees. A reception with heavy hors d'oeuvres followed in the lobby, and a good time was had by all Please join us in congratulating the employees listed below for their service
5 Years of Service
Brittany Akins, Water Utility
Alejandro Alvarez, Magistrate Court
Brenden Alvarez, Fire Rescue
Nathan Barton, Fleet Services
Jonathan Bermudez, Library (Grovetown)
Priscilla Blakely, Juvenile Court
Karen Bogle, Tax Commissioner's Office
Bill Botham, Emergency Management Agency
Kristen Bridges, Sheriff's Office
Nelson Brookins, Fire Rescue
Kimberly Bryan, Sheriff's Office
Benjamin Busbee, Parks & Recreation
Chad Capps, Fire Rescue
Mark Cerda, Fire Rescue
Jonathon Chambers, Tax Assessors Office
Courtney Clark, Fire Rescue
Philip Clark, Sheriff's Office
Arthur Clary, Broadband Utility
Andre Clementi, Sheriff's Office
Brian Cook, Fleet Services
Matthew Eck, Fire Rescue
Tavonne Gadson, Roads & Bridges
Christina Galpin, Tax Commissioner's Office
Cody Garmany, Fleet Services
Brandon Golden, Fire Rescue
Larry Griswold, Roads & Bridges
Alexander Guthrie, Water Utility
Stacie Hart, Parks & Recreation
Megan Hattaway, Fleet Services
Mark Henseler, Water Utility
Chad Holton, Facility Management
Charlene Johnston, Clerk of Court
Kenya Lodge, 911 Dispatch
Hugh Long, Sheriff's Office
Steven Losgar, Fire Marshal's Office
Tawny Luke, 911 Dispatch
Christopher Moore, Fire Rescue
Jill Morris, Magistrate Court
Chris Nattinger, Parks & Recreation
Dylan Newman, Fire Rescue
Matthew Norton, Fire Rescue
Jeannie Pentecost, Fire Rescue
Jack Phelps, Stormwater Maintenance
Steven Prather, Facilities Design & Construction
Russell Rainey, Parks & Recreation
John Saxon, Fleet Services
Tyler Shoemaker, Water Utility
Brandon Sikes, Sheriff's Office
Taylor Simpson, Parks & Recreation
Matthew Sizemore, Sheriff's Office
John Smith, Coroner's Office
Mitchell Smith, Fire Rescue
Mark Swain, GIS
Daniel Swift, Water Utility
Gary Thurmond, Broadband Utility
Toni Tiedeman, Tax Assessors Office
Luke Urban, Fire Rescue
Russell Whisnant, Fire Rescue
Clarence Williams, Roads & Bridges
Ricardo Williams, Stormwater Maintenance
Shelby Williford, Facilities Design & Construction
John Yarmosh, Roads & Bridges
10 Years of Service
George Amos, Fire Rescue
Jeremy Anderson, Sheriff's Office
Ronald Bagwell, Water Utility
Michael Bish, Sheriff's Office
Richard Brassell, Magistrate Court
Anthony Clark, Roads & Bridges
Cathy Gilbert, Tax Commissioner's Office
Wesley Gower, Water Utility
Gary Hewett, Water Utility
Edward Jones, Detention Center
James Justice, Magistrate Court
Margaret Lemaire, Library (Evans)
Brandon Lowe, Detention Center
James Maples, Detention Center
Joseph Marrone, Fire Rescue
Pamela Marshall, Detention Center
Kyle McClellan, Fire Rescue
Kayley Nichols, Water Utility
Shannon Powell, Finance
Melissa Reynolds, Detention Center
Shawn Stapleton, Water Utility
Jamarius Tate, Fire Rescue
Chelsea Thompson, Clerk of Court
Bryan Thurber, Fire Rescue
Paul Vance, Fire Marshal's Office
Preston Walker, Stormwater Maintenance
Brandon Washington, Water Utility
Jennifer Weathers, Tax Commissioner's Office
Tracy Wells, Tax Commissioner's Office
Connor Whittle, Water Utility
William Wright, Fire Rescue
15 Years of Service
Alex Andrews, Sheriff's Office
Charles Baker, Sheriff's Office
Ryan Brockman, Detention Center
Stacey Charles, Water Utility
Heidi Curlee, Tax Commissioner's Office
Keisha Evans, Library (Grovetown)
William Fanning, Detention Center
Bobby Gray, Roads & Bridges
Jonathan Heise, Magistrate Court
John Hensley, Sheriff's Office
Timothy Johnson, Sheriff's Office
Garrett Jones, Animal Services
Wayne Judy, Water Utility
Evan Kell, Water Utility
George Lee, Sheriff's Office
Kelly McDaniel, Road Construction
Joshua Mobley, Sheriff's Office
15 Years of Service (cont.)
Michael Plemmons, Detention Center
Joseph Prouty, Fire Rescue
Becky Reese, Sheriff’s Office
Roxanne Scrum, Animal Services
David Sorrells, Tax Assessors Office
Mark Story, Roads & Bridges
Rovonda Turner, Detention Center
Marlon Tutt, Parks & Recreation
Christy Whitaker, Water Utility
Christopher Williams, Water Utility
Brittany Williamson, Tax Commissioner's Office
20 Years of Service
Vera Anderson, Sheriff's Office
Marc Blankenship, Sheriff's Office
Amanda Bradford, Sheriff's Office
J.A. Cloud, Fire Rescue
Deborah DeWitt, Information Technology
Daniel Gaston, Sheriff's Office
Anthony Gentry, Clerk of Court
Natalie Gibson, Library (Evans)
Richard Haygood, Water Utility
Erick Jessee, Sheriff's Office
Dorothy Luke, 311/Customer Service
Rebecca Lutz, Senior Center
Chip Mobley, Facilities Design & Construction
Brian O'Sullivan, Water Utility
Rita Shelton, Information Technology
Cynthia Walker, Finance
David Wheeler, Sheriff's Office
Jennifer Willis, Clerk of Court
25 Years of Service
Jacqueline Bolton, Tax Commissioner's Office
Paul Burks, Sheriff's Office
David Butler, Fire Rescue
Paul Casey, Fire Rescue
Renee Childress, Sheriff's Office
Joe DaVitte, Roads & Bridges
William Hickmon, Juvenile Court
Kimberly Powell, Clerk of Court
Christopher Railey, Sheriff's Office
Keith Warner, Sheriff's Office
30 Years of Service
Christopher Wahman, Fire Rescue
35 Years of Service
David Herrity, Detention Center
Tim Holloway, Roads & Bridges
Beverly LeRoy, Human Resources
40 Years of Service
Mike Adams, Sheriff's Office
45 Years of Service
Donnie Bartles, Road Construction
Donna Clay, Water Utility
Military Service
Corporal
James G. Blanchard, Jr., US Marine Reserves
* Sergeant Richard Hennings, Army National Guard
* First Sergeant Roger Gates, Army
* Petty Officer First Class Andre Clementi, Navy
* Staff Sergeant William Hanks, Army
* Sergeant Tiffany Wardy, Army
* Chief Petty Officer Rich Wyatt, Navy
* Specialist James Gaston, Army
* Captain Renee Caprari, Army
* Petty Officer First Class Samuel Villarreal, Navy
* Specialist Heather Lewis, Army
* Lieutenant Colonel Andy Pascual, Army National Guard
* Staff Sergeant James Webb, Air Force
* Sergeant Krystina White, Marine Corps
* Corporal Alec Chavez, Marine Corps
2023-2024
Retirees
17 Years of Service
Fred Jennings, Fire Rescue
18 Years of Service
Preston Ashley, Fire Rescue
19 Years of Service
Tom Jones, Water Utility
20 Years of Service
Ronald Hutto, Road Construction
Donna Wallace, Tax Commissioner’s Office
22 Years of Service
Judge James G Blanchard, Jr , Superior Court
Laura Moore, Superior Court
25 Years of Service
Roy Wright, Fire Rescue
27 Years of Service
Glenda Simons, Probate Court
28 Years of Service
Gary Lee, Parks & Recreation
30 Years of Service
Gary Harden, Sheriff’s Office
37 Years of Service
Kathy Hebert, Library (Evans)
43 Years of Service
Larry McClure, Roads and Bridges
44 Years of Service
John Whittle, Sheriff’s Office
46 Years of Service
Teresa Metzler, Water Utility
Benefits Open Enrollment News for 2025
Exciting news to share!
Benefits Open Enrollment for 2025 will take place from October 1, 2024 through October 31, 2024. This is the time to review your benefits and make any necessary adjustments or changes that will provide you and your family with the best coverage options. Any changes will take effect January 1, 2025. Here is a link to our updated Benefits Insight 2025 Booklet for your review.
All current vendors will remain in place for 2025. Rates for medical and vision will remain the same.
There will be a slight increase in dental rates for the first time in six years Life insurance and disability are subject to age banded rate changes
New York Life has offered a full Open Enrollment up to the guaranteed issue amounts on the Short-term disability, Long-term disability and Voluntary Life (for both employee and spouse) without the requirement of filing an Evidence of Insurability form
Unum, the accident plan provider is offering a new group product which has increased benefits and lowered rates.
If you do not wish to make changes to your 2025 Benefits, you do not have to do anything. Your current benefits will simply roll over to the new benefit year. However, those employees that choose to renew the Flexible Spending Account (FSA) will have to complete the applicable form and send it to HR. FSA Form link
Enrollment/changes to medical, dental, vision, accident, life insurance, disability products, etc. are available through Employee Self Service. Or you can contact Human Resources for the appropriate paperwork.
Please note the enrollment options listed below:
Employee Self-Service Site
Visit the Columbia County website, scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on Employee Center, and choose the Employee Self Service link Please follow the instructions on the link “Open Enrollment Instructions 2025.” The Open Enrollment site will be open on October 1, 2024.
Phone - Call the Human Resources Department
Call the HR Department at 706-868-3300 and an HR representative can assist you over the phone.
Financial Wellness Day
September 19, 2024
MissionSquareRetirementishostinganeventforallColumbiaCounty employeestohighlighttheimportanceofRetirementPlanningandPreparation
PleasejoinusonSeptember19th,2024,forourevent:
Therewillbetwospecialseminarsessionsaswellaspersonalconsultationopportunities.
Specialguest,MarkHuston,aCertifiedFinancialPlannerwithMissionSquareRetirementas wellasDannyKierathandJackFessler,RetirementPlansSpecialists,willbeconducting seminarsandprovidingindividualconsultations.
Thoseattendingthe“InvestingBasicsforRetirementAccounts:Traps&Tips” SeminarintheAuditoriumfrom12:00PM-12:45PMwillbeprovidedafree lunch. Pleasechooseyourlunchhere
Please see the agenda below:
8:30AMor9:00AM-IndividualConsultations
IndividualconsultationswithRetirementPlanSpecialistorCertifiedFinancialPlanner
MeetwithoneofyourRetirementPlanSpecialists,DannyKierathorJackFesslerorMissionSquare CertifiedFinancialPlanner,MarkHuston
10:00AM-10:45AM-SeminarPresentation:“NavigatingtheNextChapter:PreparingforYour Retirement”PresentedbyJackFesslerandMarkHuston Ifyouareretiringsoon,youprobablyhavequestionsaboutyourretirementaccounts.Learnwhatyou shouldconsidernext
11:00AMor11:30AM-IndividualConsultations
IndividualconsultationswithRetirementPlanSpecialistorCertifiedFinancialPlanner
MeetwithoneofyourRetirementPlanSpecialists,DannyKierathorJackFesslerorMissionSquare CertifiedFinancialPlanner,MarkHuston
12:00PM-12:45PM–Lunch&LearnPresentation:“InvestingBasicsforRetirementAccounts:Traps& Tips”PresentedbyMarkHuston(orderlunchchoiceingreenboxabove)
Whetheryouarejuststartingorneedarefresher,wewilldiscussbasicinvestingconcepts,including risk,assetallocation,diversification,rebalancing,markettiminganddollar-costaveraging
1:00PMor1:30PM-IndividualConsultations
IndividualConsultationswithRetirementPlanSpecialistorCertifiedFinancialPlanner
MeetwithoneofyourRetirementPlanSpecialists,DannyKierathorJackFesslerorMissionSquare CertifiedFinancialPlanner,MarkHuston
Signupforanindividualappointment (ClickHere)!
FIT 360
GYMCLASSSCHEDULE
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday at 5:15pm
Welcome to “FIT 360” the workout class designed for every body and every ability! Whether you ' re a seasoned fitness enthusiast or just starting your wellness journey, this class is all about enhancing your quality of life through movement.
FIT 360 combines a mix of cardio, strength training, HIIT, Yoga, Pilates, balance exercises and functional training with consistent stretching. Designed to provide a challenge and prevent boredom, each workout will focus on building strength, boosting endurance, and improving agility, all while increasing your range of motion, balance, and flexibility. But it’s not just about the physical benefits I believe that movement should be fun! Expect a lively atmosphere where you’ll learn to enjoy every step, stretch, and smile.
Mindful Motion: Move, Stretch, and Feel Amazing!
Tuesday, Thursday 12pm-1pm; Thursday 5:15pm
Ready to loosen up and feel your best? Mindful Motion is all about helping you gain more flexibility, balance, and range of motion while having fun! Through gentle stretching and easy range-of-motion exercises, we’ll release tightness in your muscles, joints, and tendons, melting away those aches and pains caused by stress, inflammation, and tough workouts Plus, we’ll throw in some awesome balance moves to strengthen your core, boost your stability, and help prevent injuries. It’s all about moving better and feeling great so come join us and let’s stretch, relax, and move together!
Lunch Crunch: Power Up Your Day in 30 Minutes!
Wednesday 11:30am-12pm and 12:10pm-12:40pm
Got a busy day but still want to squeeze in a workout? Say goodbye to desk slumps and hello to movement with Lunch Crunch! This 30-minute, full-body blast combines cardio, strength, balance, and stretching to energize you for the rest of your day. It’s quick, efficient, and packed with fun moves that leave you feeling strong, refreshed, and ready to tackle anything. Come join us for the ultimate midday pick-me-up and get back to work feeling unstoppable!
Fitness Specialist Hours
Hours subject to change
Monday: 11am - 7pm
Tuesday: 9am - 1pm & 4pm - 7pm
Wednesday: 11am - 7pm
Thursday: 9am - 1pm & 4pm - 7pm
Friday: Off
2024 Flu Shot Clinics
October 5, 2024
9 am-4 pm
Downtown Harlem, Georgia
Risk Management Training Schedule
National Safety Council Defensive Driving (4 Hours) at the EOC 8:30am-12:30pm
**Participants will receive a ResQme Car Escape Tool as part of our Safety Grant from LGRMS; while supplies last** Thursday, September 26, 2024 *CLASS IS FULL*
National Safety Council Defensive Driving (8 Hours) at the EOC 8:30am-5:00pm
**Participants will receive a ResQme Car Escape Tool as part of our Safety Grant from LGRMS; while supplies last**
Friday, October 18, 2024 Wednesday, December 4, 2024
Hands-On Defensive Driving (8 Hours) at the CCSO Track 8:30am-5pm Friday, September 13, 2024 *CLASS IS FULL*
Friday, October 4, 2024 Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Red Cross CPR/AED & First Aid (8 Hours) at the EOC 8:30-5pm Wednesday, October 2, 2024 *LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE* Wednesday, November 6, 2024
Please note that Risk Management classes have been filling up fast this past year. Our classes are subject to the availability of our trainers based on their schedules The classes are also limited to the amount of space we have for attendees.
If there is a class on the schedule you would like to attend, please do not wait to register If you register for a class and at any point in time realize you will not be able to attend, please inform Risk Management to open the spot for other employees.
To register contact RiskManagement@columbiacountyga gov Or call Jennifer, Polly, or Darlene at 706-312-7475 for information
Train WithSwain
Information Security Classes
If you clicked on a test phishing email, you are required to attend one of the meetings listed below. But anyone is welcome to attend!
Mon. 9/30/24 @ 2 pm Wed. 10/23/24 @ 2 pm Thu. 12/5/24 @ 9 am
Evans Government Center Auditorium, Building A, 630 Ronald Reagan Dr.
To sign up for one of these classes, please contact Phyllis Swain at (706) 312-7302 or via email at pswain@columbiacountyga.gov
Welcome
To the World
Announcing the birth of Ivy Blair Laidig
Born June 15, 2024
8 pounds, 15 ounces, 21 1/2 inches
Proud parents are Zane Laidig and Anna Willis
Ivy is the granddaughter of Tina Dickenson (Tax Commissioners Office ) and CJ Dickenson (Tax Assessor Office) ~ Submitted by Tina Dickenson, Tax Commissioners Office
