Fiscal Court holds routine meeting

By Greg Bird
birdman@tmcvoice.com

The McCreary County Fiscal Court had a brief and routine meeting Thursday night as the current administration begins the transition into a new Fiscal Court come January.
The sparse agenda dealt mainly with personnel issues as a new hire was approved for the Ambulance Service, along with moving an employee from full time to part time as needed. Commissioners for three fire districts were re-appointed as well.
During the other business portion of the meeting Magistrate Roger Phillips asked Judge Executive Doug Stephens to issue a purchase order for the work to be done on Clark Hollow Road. The project was approved by the Fiscal Court previously and will be paid through discretionary funds from the Governor’s Office. Phillips stated it was necessary to begin the project as soon as possible as crews from Hinkle were already in the area. It was also noted the initial funding would have to come from the General Fund, but would be replaced when the discretionary funding comes in.
Magistrate Jason Mann asked Judge Stephens to get quotes for additional lighting at the McCreary County Park ball fields. Mann noted grant funds could be available through the Land and Water Conservation Fund grant program by the end of the year and asked Deputy Judge Andrew Powell to prepare the grant application.
The Court also approved the solicitation of bids for new air conditioner units for the courthouse. Judge Stephens noted the air units in place in the courthouse have far exceeded their life expectancy and are in constant need of repair. He hopes to be able to replace six units.
The Court also approved the drafting of a service agreement with Clark’s Heating and Air to service the air conditioning units. Judge Stephens said he hoped to have an agreement to present to the Court next month.
One item was tabled – the cooperative road agreement with the U.S. Forest Service. Magistrate Phillips had several concerns over the agreement, questioning who was responsible for maintaining some of the roads, and what authority the Forest Service would have in closing some of the access roads. Clarification on those questions will be asked for and presented at a future meeting.
The Court accepted checks from Sheriff Randy Waters to pay for his match as part of a USDA grant that will go toward purchasing a new cruiser. The vehicle is expected to be delivered soon.
The next regular scheduled meeting of the McCreary County Fiscal Court will be on Thursday, September 13 at 6:00 p.m.