It’s a full court

Following the November 7 election and during their monthly meeting on November 9, 2023, McCreary County Fiscal Court welcomed Bill Taylor as District 2 Magistrate.  Taylor was elected after former District 2 Magistrate Roger Phillips resigned earlier this year due to health reasons.

In business, the Fiscal Court acted on routine agenda items, including the following:

-Opened and accepted bids for eight new chest compression devices for the emergency medical service.

-Approved departmental transfers and hires.

-Approved extending Tucker Cemetery Road in District 1 by 450 feet.

-Approved an amended budget for the Sheriff’s Department.

-Approved second reading and adopted revised ordinance 840.2, regarding animal control.

-Approved funding for mandated CPR training for employees.

-Noted the Judge’s office will advertise for bids for interior painting of the courthouse.

-Approved a resolution regarding LCADD Hazard Mitigation Plan.

Fiscal Court heard from four members of the public.  Freddie Patrick approached the court regarding bids for work on bathrooms at Sandhill RV Camp.  Frank Meadors spoke regarding pavement for a road.  An unidentified resident requested the Court and Park Board consider making a dog park at the County Park so residents with dogs will have an enclosed area for owners and their dogs to visit.  Dog parks, enclosed areas where dogs, accompanied by their owners, can safely play and socialize off leash are commonly built within parks and other designated areas.  Additionally, Darlene Price spoke, warning citizens about various scams currently circulating, including a particularly convincing scheme claiming to be part of USPS.

Fiscal Court also heard reports from department heads.

Chief Deputy Dustin Ridner reported the Sheriff’s Department answered 611 calls from October 12 through November 9, 2023.

In October, EMS made 407 runs.  911 answered 1,045 calls.

$361,838.87 in occupation tax was collected in October.

In September, the County collected $9,079.22 in alcohol regulatory fees.  Merchants collected $214,892.51 in sales.

Tourism collected $941.64 in transient tax.

Emergency Management Director Stephen McKinney cautioned residents against burning trash and urged them to follow fire restrictions.

In October, the McCreary County Park collected $2,460 in rental fees from Sandhill RV camp and $730 from the county park.  $2,060 of the total came from camping fees at Sandhill.

Road Department and Litter Abatement Supervisor Tony Kidd reported a busy month with the road department, including preparing equipment for the upcoming winter.  Sixty-one roadside dumps were cleaned up by litter abatement.

Judge Greene spoke of the dedication of Kim Vanover, who worked as McCreary County Senior Citizen Director for more than fifteen years.  Vanover recently passed away.  Judge Greene spoke of how much Vanover will be missed.

Judge Greene also thanked all veterans for their service in the military.

Deputy Judge Nathan Nevels spoke of opportunities to purchase law enforcement cruisers and provide training to McCreary County inmates.  He also urged residents interested in starting new businesses to check out the county’s revolving loan fund.

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