County Board to Pay COVID Test Costs

By Travis Volz

A measure requiring county employees to pay for mandatory COVID tests narrowly failed at last Tuesday’s Washington County Board meeting.

In a 4-5 vote, with member Victor Shubert voting “present,” the proposed requirement for unvaccinated employees to pay for their own COVID tests failed.

Gary Suedmeyer of the Finance Committee made the proposal per the recommendations of that committee. He said that it would be an accomodation for those who refuse to be vaccinated.

“The county did not madate vaccination, but those who are not vaccinated should be tested at their own expense, since the costs of testing would affect the budget,” Suedmeyer said.

Board member Rodney Small disagreed. He said it was his understanding that federal funds would be used to cover the costs of testing.

Read the full story in this week’s issue