Clinton Fiscal Court met in regular session last Thursday, March 20 with all members present and several spectators on hand for the approximate one hour and 20-minute session.

After approving the monthly treasurer’s report, fund transfers and voting to pay claims and bills, Judge-Executive Lyle Huff opened the floor for public comment from the two dozen residents who were at the meeting.

The session was held in the upstairs courtroom of the courthouse.

The first group of residents was about 19 strong, with five people from the group addressing an ongoing situation pertaining to the Bates-Delk Road just southeast of Albany near the Clear Fork Church area.

Derrick Witham was the first to address the court about the issue of several complaint calls from a resident or residents on the road about speeding, mud slinging, etc. and said the calls (apparently on local residents who live on the road) was almost becoming harassment. He further noted that the sheriff’s department had been called out on the complaints numerous times and felt they (law enforcement) had more important matters to deal with.

All the other residents who spoke were in agreement with Witham’s assessment of the situation, including Gay Garner, who said he had complaints made against him for leaving mud on the road because he had to haul hay and farm equipment on the narrow road, further saying the person making the complaints had stopped him and told him to stop leaving mud in front of his home.

Yet another resident, Kenny Stinson, said he had even been followed and told to slow down.

The matter originally came up a few months ago when a resident that lives on the road had come before the court with his concerns and requested speed bumps be placed on the road, as well as a Children at Play sign that posts a 10 mph speed limit, as opposed to the county road limit of 35 mph. Soon thereafter, a slower speed limit sign was placed on the road, but no speed bumps.

After hearing the residents’ concerns, Judge Huff recommended that the 15 mph speed limit sign be removed from the road and a yield sign be erected on the connecting Larry Thrasher Road.

Magistrate Mickey Riddle followed through with the judge’s suggestion, also including in the motion that the Bates-Delk Road, which has around 9-10 residences, be a through road and the Larry Thrasher and Clear Fork Church Roads being dead end roads.

After the motion passed by unanimous vote, an applause came from the audience which were at the meeting to discuss the issue.

Bill Talbott then addressed the court, requesting a small portion of the Talbott Road in northern Clinton County be closed to through traffic, with the area containing only about 200 feet.

Magistrate Ricky Craig made a motion to begin the proceedings to close that portion of the road, including appointing viewers and advertising for a public hearing, with the motion passing by unanimous vote.

Three representatives with the American Red Cross were in attendance at the meeting, with local Red Cross representative Tim Armstrong addressing the court members.

Armstrong briefly gave an overview of the services the organization offers locally but specifically pointed out the project of securing shelter areas in the county to be used in the event of a disaster or emergency situation.

Armstrong said he had talked to a few churches about providing shelter locations, and the school district has also voted to allow the schools to be used as shelter facilities. He invited the fiscal court to make any suggestions of locations which may be used for emergency shelters. Magistrate Craig suggested the Community Center may be a good location for a shelter, or place for residents to go following an emergency or natural disaster.

Lisa Walker, a relatively new resident to the Clinton County area, then addressed the court on a couple of issues, first the problem of littering on county roadways.

Judge Huff told Walker the county has attempted to address this issue over the years in various ways.

Magistrate Terry Buster also noted that people who do try and keep areas cleaned up “get discouraged” somewhat when those who do litter continue to put trash on the roadways. He noted that last year, during a clean-up effort on Grider Hill (Dock) Road, only seven or eight people actually helped in the effort.

Clinton County PRIDE Coordinator Tuesday Davis also advised Walker of the Eastern Kentucky PRIDE program and the upcoming clean-up efforts that will begin next month.

Walker also questioned why the Tri-County Animal Shelter wasn’t open more often and why she wasn’t able to volunteer to work at the shelter, saying she felt the shelter should be opened up to volunteers.

Judge Huff, however, noted that volunteers would specifically not be allowed to work at the animal shelter due to the liability issues involved.

County Attorney Michael Rains concurred with Judge Huff’s opinion, noting KACo insurance legal counsel had written opinions about the issue of allowing volunteers and the liability issues involved.

Grady Wilson, the county’s health insurance representative, again addressed the court about the fiscal court’s options in offering health insurance to county employees. The current policy expires on March 31.

Wilson explained that since the Affordable Health Care Act (aka Obamacare) has taken effect, numerous changes for individuals, groups and governments have been announced. However, a bottom line is that unless the county offers “affordable” health insurance to its employees (not more than nine percent of one’s total income) they would be subject to a per employee penalty of up to $3,000 annually.

Wilson also explained that under the new healthcare act, which will take full effect at mid-year, the county will have to renew again on July 1 for a year’s coverage.

Following some discussion, a motion was made by Magistrate Buster and seconded by Magistrate Riddle, to renew the policy for employee health insurance with Anthem and lower the individual employee monthly input from $110 to $100 per month. The overall insurance coverage under the new plan will also see an 11 percent increase in cost to the county over last year’s rate.

The motion to approve the plan passed 5-1 with Magistrate Ricky Craig voting no. Craig said he felt the county should do more searching for other insurance carriers that may offer lower rates. However, it was mentioned during earlier discussion that Anthem was the only company which had expressed an interest when proposals were taken on plans a few months ago.

The county then, on a motion by Magistrate Riddle, voted by unanimous vote to sign bonding resolutions related to the Cobb Ventress-Tyson feed mill facility which is now well under construction just west of Albany.

Prior to adjourning, the court entered into an approximate 20-minute closed session on personnel pertaining to the EMS but took no action upon returning to open session.

The next regular meeting of Clinton Fiscal Court is scheduled for Thursday, April 17 at 5 p.m. at the  courthouse and is open to the general public.