Adding its backing to a grant application to hire a countywide wellness coordinator was approved by the Lawrence County Commission at its Thursday meeting.

County Health Administrator Georgia Dillon asked the commissioners for a letter of support as the health department applies for a $100,000 grant to hire a full-time health and wellness coordinator.

That person would organize all the different city and countywide wellness programs.

“(The coordinator) would put everything so we would all know what was in the county,” Dillon said.

Also during its meeting Trish Sanders, the county’s wellness coordinator, reported on progress.

“I have ordered bulletin boards to promote the kick off of (a walking program),” Sanders said. “We want to help promote a healthy lifestyle.”

Also CEBCO, the county’s insurance company, wants to offer employees using their coverage and those not under the plan incentives to adopt a healthier lifestyle, she said.

“It makes fiscal sense to make employees healthier,” Sanders said.

The county hired Sanders, who is a magistrate, as the county’s coordinator for $4,000. CEBCO required the coordinator be a county employee.

“It affects everybody’s paycheck if premium costs go up,” commission president Les Boggs said.

Right now the county’s claims ratio rate is at 43 percent.

“It is the best year we’ve ever had,” Boggs said.

The commissioners also approved resubmitting a Community Development Block Grant application removing funds to improve 3 1/2 alley in Ironton and adding them to fund for the demolition of eyesores in the city.

In other action the commissioners:

• Accepted the August EMS report where 946 runs were made with 29 percent going to King’s Daughters Medical Center;

• Accepted the Aug. 23 dog warden report where no dogs were destroyed, 13 were adopted or went to rescue and none were redeemed by owners.