By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Val Verde County Human Resources Director Juanita Barrera has been honored with a lifetime achievement award from the Texas Association of Counties (TAC).
Mark Zollitsch, Texas Association of Counties (TAC) Healthy County representative for Val Verde County, presented Barrera with the award during the March 14 regular term session of Val Verde County Commissioners Court.
“I’d like to ask you to join me in celebrating one of your most valued employees. As you all know, you’re part of the TAC Health and Benefits Pool, and part of your health benefits is the ‘Healthy County Program.’ We started that coming up on 15 years ago now, and the whole purpose is to improve your employees’ health and quality of life, help the county control costs and ultimately, be better stewards of your taxpayer dollars. That’s the purpose and the point,” Zollitsch told the court.
He explained the award to be presented to Barrera.
“So each year, we host what we call our annual Healthy County Conference and during that conference, we typically give out some awards. One of those awards is not given every year, and it’s a very selective thing, and it’s based on over 200 county representatives, something called the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award.’
“This award is based on doing an outstanding job over time. We also have something called the Iris Stagner Award, but you only have to be the point person for the Healthy County program for a couple of years to earn that. For this award, you have to have been doing this work for a minimum of six years, preferably eight or 10 or more, and it’s not given every year,” Zollitsch said.
He noted Barrera was receiving the award for her “outstanding contributions and consistency.”
“I don’t know if you all know this, but when you all do Healthy County and health and benefits trainings for the county, you’re one of the few counties in Texas where 80 to 90 percent of your employees show up, which I really appreciate, and I know that also has to do with you all, making sure that your employees in your different offices and departments and precincts go there, but (your county’s attendance) is outstanding, and with that, I’d like to invite Juanita Barrera to come up and receive the award,” Zollitsch said.
Barrera received a round of applause as she joined Zollitsch, the court and Ernesto Martinez, TAC health benefits consultant, for a photo.
“She really is worthy of the recognition,” Zollitsch said as the applause died down.
Barrera has been employed by the county as its human resources director since November 2014. She has served two county judges: former County Judge Laura Allen and Owens.
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