Clinton County Fiscal Court, following a public hearing last Thursday afternoon, March 5, approved final reading of the Occupational License Fee amended ordinance, voted to purchase a backhoe for the road department and opted to use LGEA funds to assist the Wellness Center in purchasing a new heating system for the facility’s pool. All court members were present for the 50-minute special call meeting.

* Occupational Tax Ordinance: Prior to voting on the amended ordinance raising the license fee tax from .75 to $1.25 per $100 earned, Magistrate Ricky Craig said he would like to do some cutting (in spending). Magistrate Terry Buster said that if the measure passed and the county was able to close the jail, they may be able to drop the tax back to the previous rate, adding it (raising the rate) is something we have to do. He added that the state is considering raising the minimum wage in Kentucky to $10 per hour and said if that happened, the county would have to pay their employees that amount regardless.

The motion to approve second and final reading of the ordinance, which will become effective after publication, was made by Magistrate Hershell Key, seconded by Magistrate Johnny Russell and again passed by the same previous votes of 4-2, with Magistrates Key and Russell along with Patty Guinn and Buster voting yes and Magistrates Craig and Mickey Riddle voting no.

* Wellness Center: At the court’s previous meeting, they had agreed to allow the Wellness Center board to attempt to get a zero percent loan to replace the boiler that heats the facility’s swimming pool, in the county’s name, with the Wellness Center to repay for the system with monthly payments.

Judge-Executive Richard Armstrong noted that County Treasurer Dallas Sidwell had proposed that funding for the project could come from LGEA (Local Government Economic Assistance) funds, which would mean no interest to be paid by the Wellness Center, with that organization to repay the county at a monthly rate directly to the county.

Following some discussion, it was estimated that between $25,000 and $30,000 would cover all costs, including the unit, installation and assorted plumbing work, etc.

Roger Barber, representing the Wellness Center, said two proposals had been obtained. He said the money would be keeping up the investment in what the county already owns and noted the number of people in the county that use the pool.

Magistrate Craig said the county should have the county attorney to draft something to put into the monthly claims and bills to make sure the monthly debt–which was basically agreed to be a minimum of $600 per month–be put in each month’s claims and bills.

County Attorney Michael Rains also advised that since the total cost of the project would exceed the state minimum of $20,000, the project should be let for bids, and once approved, the LGEA funds could be used to pay for it with Wellness Center board to repay the county in monthly installments.

A motion to advertise the project for bids was passed on a 5-1 vote with Magistrate Riddle voting no.

* Backhoe Purchase: Citing the need for upgraded road department equipment and the fact the road fund had a surplus of $700,000 (counting the 2015 state Rural Road Aid allotment), Judge Armstrong recommended the purchase of a new backhoe. He said the current 1996 model is about worn out and said the backhoe is probably the most used piece of road department equipment used year-round.

Armstrong had obtained estimates on two models, saying a 2015 CAT model with a four-in-one bucket and accessories and warranty, including power train warranty, was the best of the two proposals, at a cost of $92,685 at state contract price.

Magistrate Craig said he felt a truck with a blade, possibly a smaller vehicle that could maneuver on narrower roads, was needed first.

Armstrong countered that “98 percent of the time it doesn’t snow” in the county, but the backhoe is used for multiple purposes. He did agree, however, that such a truck was needed and said he would get some prices prior to the court’s next regular meeting and the county may be able to purchase both pieces of equipment this year.

Magistrate Buster made a motion to purchase the backhoe, which passed by unanimous vote.

* Other business: The court voted to pay claims and bills and Director of Emergency Services Lonnie Scott told the court the new ambulance was ready to be picked up. Some $70,000 of the total $91,000 purchase price came from grants.

The court voted to approve both claims and bills and fund transfers.

The next regular meeting of Clinton Fiscal Court is scheduled for Thursday, March 19 at 5 p.m. and is open to the general public.