Benefit battle continues as commissioner says 'it's time to move on'

District 5 Commissioner Cecilia Jones wants to clear the air and move on.

"The accusations that have been made against me insinuate dishonesty and unethical conduct on my part. This is simply untrue,” she said, adding that she is no longer receiving county health benefits for her husband. "

The point of contention stems from Walton County commissioners' ability to obtain medical coverage for their families. Jones says similar policies are in place for other board members in the county and around the state.

But Walton County Taxpayers' Association President Bob Hudson stands by the ad that said "shame on you, Commissioner Cecilia Jones. You had taxpayers fund your family medical premiums through the end of 2009."

"We ran a series of ads in the local newspapers when we realized the commissioners were getting 100 percent of their family health paid for," said. "They decided somehow they got benefits to pay for medical. This wasn’t done publicly, but in private, behind closed doors."

Hudson said the four of the five commissioners who were participating in the benefits agreed to eliminate them by Oct. 1, 2009. He said a taxpayer phoned in the tip that Jones was still on the plan. After meeting with Jones, the association decided to run the ad in the Walton Sun and The Herald.

Jones said she stayed on the plan longer than other commissioners because her husband dropped his coverage at work so he could be included on the county's plan.

After the benefits came to light and the other commissioners dropped the benefits, Jones said she spoke with county finance director Bill Imfeld. He informed her that the county had enough money in the budget to cover her husband until his open enrollment period.

As of January 2010, Commissioner Jones' family is no long receiving the benefit.

Hudson said his organization has had no negative reactions to the ad and people have told him the ad was fair and factual.

"She didn’t do what she was supposed to do," Hudson said. "Our organization is here to make sure they are doing what they are supposed to do."

Jones said it's time to move on from this issue.

"With this issue behind us," Jones said, "I hope our board and staff can continue to focus on moving the county forward and continue to provide the high level of service Walton County citizens deserve."