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McCreary County Fiscal Court Meets

By Eugenia Jones
eugenia@highland.net

Photo by Voice Staff Magistrate Roger Phillips recommended the County pursue getting a generator for the County Park to be used in case of emergency situations.

 

McCreary County Fiscal Court met earlier this month (Feb.11) to act on several routine matters and hear updates from various county departments.

Items presented during the Court included the following.
• Heard Sheriff Randy Waters ask citizens to keep watch for their neighbors due to recent thefts throughout the community. Waters asked that any suspicious behavior within neighborhoods be reported to his office or 911.
• Noting the county is currently in better financial condition, Magistrate Roger Phillips recommended the County pursue getting a generator for the County Park to be used in case of emergency situations. The County Park can currently be used as a “warming center” when needed due to electrical outages, etc. Greene said he had also received information that the park can be used for overnight stays but not for long term stays. Long term stays require more amenities such as showers, etc.
• Approved payment for a refurbished ambulance.
• Accepted County Clerk Eric Haynes required submission of 90% ($106,000), excess fees. Magistrate Roger Phillips noted the excess funds need to be budgeted primarily for new voting machines.
• Approved appointment and re-appointments to the Park Board: Roger Branscum, David Decker, Sam Strunk, Bobby Strunk, Linda Gilreath, Roger Phillips, and Bill Taylor.
• Approved appointments and reappointments to the McCreary County Ethics Board: Virginia Jones, Freddie Patrick, Teddy Coffey, and Scott Corder.
• Approved changes to Administrative Code regarding vacation time and pay.
• Entered one year contract with Knox County Detention Center at last year’s rate of $30.00 per day.
Judge Greene reported the following miscellaneous items as received from various department heads not present at the meeting:
• The Dollar General Store (under construction) in Strunk has applied for a malt beverage license through the local Alcohol Beverage Control Office.
-Tourism collected 163.36 in transient taxes last month.
• A PRIDE cleanup is scheduled on HWY 90 (Cumberland Falls) on March 27. This year’s cleanup will operate differently than in the past due to COVID-19. Buses will not transport.
• McCreary County Tourism and National Park Service will have an informational booth at the Spring Planting Festival.
• The Yamacraw Trail Race is scheduled for April 10-11. The State Fair is August 19-29.
The following reports were made by Department Heads during the Fiscal Court meeting.
• EMS Director Jimmy Barnett reported EMS made 427 runs last month with 911 fielding 1,082 calls.
• EMA Director Stephen McKinney said his department has been doing COVID-19 related work and assisting residents needing help due to weather conditions. McKinney also noted the elevator in the court house is now operational.
• County Road Supervisor Tony Kidd reported the County Road Department has spread approximately 200 tons of salt and twenty loads of rock/gravel this month. The County Road Department has also been trimming damaged trees in an effort to minimize problems during anticipated ice storms.
• Referencing appointments and re-appointments made to the Park Board earlier in the meeting, County Attorney Austin Price praised the Board for their efforts in developing the park and encouraged residents to use park amenities, particularly the walking trails. Price also noted those who need assistance through his office when the Court House is closed due to emergencies (COVID-19, etc.) should still call his office or call 911/Sheriff’s office to contact them. Price said his office continues to work on matters such as Emergency Protective Orders, etc. when the Court House is forced to close.
• Deputy Judge Nathan Nevels reported enough McCreary Countians were employed through the recent county-sponsored Teleworks training and job fair to pay the costs incurred if those hired remain employed and pay occupation tax for one year.

(The McCreary County Fiscal Court meets regularly on the second Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at the McCreary County Court House.)

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