The push has begun to put discount prescription cards in the hands of Covington County residents.

In October, commissioners agreed to participate in the Coast2Coast Rx Card program, a free discount prescription card provided to residents of townships, cities, counties and states. Citizens can use the card at area pharmacies to receive discounted prices on medicine.

Ron Howard, spokesman, said then and again Thursday that the card, which was sent to all county-owned buildings, public libraries and area pharmacies that morning, is free.

“If you don’t have insurance, you can get a discount on every prescription,” Howard said. “If you do have insurance, you may or may not.”

The card also offers discounts for dental, vision, lab, x-ray, diabetes supplies and even pet meds, he said.

By allowing local residents to participate in the program, the company will pay the county $1 for each prescription filled. There are 36 counties participating in Alabama. Last year, Mobile County earned $38,000.

The Coast2Coast Rx Card has been endorsed by the State County Associations in Alabama, California, Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Mexico and Utah, he said.

“The bottom line is it doesn’t cost the county anything or the resident any money,” Howard said.

In other business, the commission:

• voted to give $19,620 to the county recreational board to fund the 2013 16-18 Babe Ruth World Series. The funds, which were generated from lodging taxes, are the remaining balance needed to meet the $45,000 obligation to host the event.

• to pay employee vacation hours in excess of the 300-hour carryover limit at Dec. 31 at a cost of approximately $25,000;

• voted to spend $8,235 to give a one-time pay supplement to employees – $100 to 74 full-time employees under the direct supervision of the county commission and $50 to seven part-time employees. Funds will be spent from the county’s contingency fund. Employees with the probate judge, revenue commissioner and sheriff’s offices will be covered using each office’s discretionary fund, said county administrator Brenda Petty.