Sheriff’s Department gains its third paid deputy
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By Eugenia Jones {Editor}
eugenia@highland.net
Fiscal Court meets for March session
During the McCreary County Fiscal Court regular meeting on March 9, 2023, the McCreary County Sheriff’s Department gained a third paid deputy when Fiscal Court members approved the status change of Deputy James Ricky Flannery from Special Deputy to Paid Deputy at a base pay rate of $15.00 per hour. Deputy Flannery has completed initial training requirements necessary to be a paid deputy and is scheduled to begin his police academy training in early July. This position is paid by Fiscal Court. The change in status was requested by McCreary County Sheriff David Sampson. The Sheriff’s Department continues to seek two additional certified deputies.
In other business, Fiscal Court acted on two requests from McCreary County’s Solid Waste Coordinator and Emergency Management Director, Stephen McKinney. Acting on McKinney’s recommendations, the Court granted their approval to the five year solid waste plan and also approved McCreary County Emergency Management to join Pulaski County LEPC. McKinney explained Pulaski County already has the equipment needed to deal with hazardous waste and currently responds to McCreary County’s hazardous chemical spills. By combining the two counties into one regional LEPC, McKinney said the County benefits from Pulaski County’s equipment.
In personnel matters, Fiscal Court approved new hires and transfers for 911, Litter Abatement, and Detention Transport. (It was noted the County is seeking additional Transport Officers.) Fiscal Court also approved the following: (1) re-appointment of Darren Kidd to the McCreary County Ethics Board, (2) re-appointments of Bill Terry, Tony Kidd, Bill Hale, Stephen McKinney, Thomas Corder, & Carl “Skip” Jones to the McCreary County Solid Waste Board of Directors.
Fiscal Court approved participating in the National Opioid Settlement with pharmacies. The amount of McCreary County’s funding and schedule for receipt of funds is still unknown.
In additional business, Fiscal Court gave approval to surplus a vehicle owned by the Sheriff’s Department, heard Vernon Gilreath present the 2023/24 Soil Conservation budget, approved Judge Greene to enter into a lease agreement with Don Franklin to purchase a SUV for the sheriff’s office (paid for from ABC funds), and approved payment to Swift Roofing upon completion of the new roof on the Courthouse. Fiscal Court also approved renaming the county road between Lewis Street and Court Street back to Corbett Street.
Three citizens addressed the court, including Cheryl Dunkin, Lisa Meldrum, and Tim Freels.
Meldrum discussed the new infant/toddler program serving McCreary County through the Christian Appalachian Project. The program is designed for pregnant mothers and children ages birth-3 (birthdate). Meldrum, who is responsible for the program, stated a mobile classroom will soon arrive in McCreary County and will travel to children’s homes as needed. Through the program, children are screened, assessed, and given activities to improve physical, social, and emotional development. Customized plans are developed for each child at no cost, with instruction occurring twice monthly. The program is open to all McCreary County children. For more information, phone 606-392-5474 (Lisa Meldrum) or Joseph Beaudion, manager of the Christian Appalachian Project located in the Eagle/Sawyer Community Center (former Eagle Elementary School.)
Fiscal Court heard the following reports from Department Heads:
-McCreary County Park Director Melissa Vanover noted the Easter in the Park event for children is April 8 from 2:00 until 4:00. A February total of $1,236 in rental fees was collected at the Park and Sandhill RV Camp.
-Tax Administrator Stephanie Tucker reported a total of $241,220.27 in occupation taxes was collected in February. Business permits totaled $170.
-Tourism Director Michelle Perry collected $954 in transient tax fees in February. She also noted the following upcoming events: Gravel Rally-April 28-29 (car/bike show April 28), volunteers are needed for the Gravel Rally/PRIDE HWY 90, Cumberland Falls Clean-Up-April 29/Main Street Market-May 6, free set up.
-ABC Director Brenda Blevins reported the County collected $120,172.19 from alcohol sales for the year (Feb. 2022-Jan. 2023). Merchants collected $2,331,365.39. Funds collected by the County was used to fund the ABC office and salaries, pay lease on ABC vehicle, and fund three sheriff’s deputies. Twenty-three businesses in McCreary County are currently licensed to sell alcohol. One additional business is waiting for state approval.
-McCreary County Chief Deputy Dustin Ridner reported for the Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office responded to 141 calls through 911 with 13 arrests. Additionally, local law enforcement responded to numerous calls made directly to the Sheriff’s Office.
-County Attorney Austin Price emphasized the legal consequences of littering and noted the county is enforcing those consequences through his office.
-Deputy Judge Nathan Nevels shared more results from Teleworks-with eight additional McCreary Countians completing the work-at-home training. He also urged anyone interested in bidding on surplus items to get accounts set up on gov.deals. Accounts must be set up in order to bid.
-County Road and Litter Abatement Supervisor Tony Kidd reported his crews completed the following in February: eleven signs, twelve pothole patches, six culverts, seventeen ditches, twenty-three tree limbs (in addition to many in the recent high winds), five bus turn-arounds, cleaned up twenty roadside dumps, and scheduled cardboard collection. Kidd noted the County currently has 250 tons of salt remaining, and paving should begin this week at the Sandhill RV Camp.
-Judge Greene asked everyone to volunteer for the PRIDE clean up and emphasized again how important it is for the county to dispose of litter/trash properly. He also gave a “shout-out” to McCreary County first responders, county road crews, and emergency management for their work during recent high wind storms. Judge Greene reminded citizens who need help with a road situation during bad weather, etc. (fallen tree limbs, etc.) to call 911, and dispatchers will contact the road crew.
-Magistrate Roger Phillips asked the court to consider renaming all or part of the Sandhill RV Camp after the late Darrell Vanover, who worked diligently throughout his life on improving the Camp. The matter will be discussed at a future meeting.
The McCreary County Fiscal Court meets on the second Thursday of each month at 6:00 at the McCreary County Courthouse.
