Clinton County Fiscal Court held its regular monthly meeting last Thursday evening, April 16 with all court members present and different topics, from road names, to taxing district budgets and finances among items that were brought forth for discussion. The meeting was somewhat tumultuous at times, especially at the beginning when the issue of paying claims and bills was discussed and voted on–twice.

The court first approved the monthly and quarterly treasurer’s reports, as well as approving expenditure transfers and one cash transfer.

When the item of approving claims and bills came up for a vote, Magistrate Mickey Riddle questioned a $1,550 expenditure for the sheriff’s department for computer software apparently used for tax billing. Riddle said he was in favor of the rest of the claims, with the exception of that bill, which he said he felt should come from the sheriff’s department budget.

Magistrate Ricky Craig then raised concerns about a partial bill paid for work on the construction of a county maintenance building that is being constructed. Both he and Magistrate Patty Guinn expressed the need for a more final bill to be presented in case the cost of construction of the building exceeded $20,000 — the base in which a construction project can be done without having to be bid under state law.

Magistrate Riddle made a motion to pay all bills with the exception of the two aforementioned items, with Magistrate Craig giving the second. The motion failed however when Magistrates Guinn, Hershell Key, Johnny Russell and Terry Buster all voted no.

At one point there was an exchange between Riddle and Judge-Executive Richard Armstrong, when the magistrate inferred the judge may keep presenting sheriff’s office bills on the county’s claims, with Armstrong countering “You don’t know what I’m going to pay.”

Following some further discussion, Magistrate Buster made a motion to pay all claims and bills, including the computer software and bill on the work done on the county building that is under construction. The motion, which was passed by Magistrate Russell, narrowly passed 4-3, with Magistrate Key also voting yes and Magistrates Riddle, Craig and Guinn voting no. Judge Armstrong broke the tie with a yes vote to pay all claims and bills as presented.

The court then voted unanimously to hire Neli Conner on the road department to replace a person who had recently quit. The rate would be $8.50 per hour for the first 90-day probationary period.

Director of Emergency Services Lonnie Scott, in relation to Conner’s hiring and requiring him to pay for his own drug test, noted that some new employees had the drug test taken and billed to the county. However, the county’s policies and procedures calls for new employees to pay for their own drug test and be reimbursed only after their 90-day probationary period is up. The county will apparently begin monitoring that closer and make the drug testing company aware not to allow the tests be charged to the county by new employees.

Scott also presented the court with a list of new road names that have been created as a result of the construction of the U.S. 127 Bypass. That highway split off several area roadways and created the need for new roads and road names to be placed in the 911 Mapping and Addressing system, as well as being sent to the state Department of Transportation to be included on the official state maps.

Scott said he got input on the new road names from magistrates and residents who live on those roads, as to know what to name them. A motion by Magistrate Riddle to approve the list passed by unanimous vote.

The some 25 roads effected measure in length as low as .23 mile to 1.893 miles in length and take in about a half-dozen different areas.

(A complete listing of the roads is available for viewing at the 911 Mapping and Addressing office located at the Emergency Services building.)

In relation to the name changes, residents affected will be sent letters informing them of the changes and reminding them to have their new address put into the 911 Mapping and Addressing System to allow for rapid central dispatch of emergency aid such as fire, police, ambulance and other rescue services.

The court also agreed to allow Scott to sell an old out-of-service ambulance and chassis via the internet as surplus property.

Christy Nuetzman and Colby Guffey then addressed the court, briefly giving an overview of the Extension Service budget they presented. Following the presentation, the court voted to approve the budget and subsequently budgets for the library and Soil and Water Conservation District.

Administrative Assistant Penny Jo Stearns then addressed the court about a proposal to establish a tourism board.

(Details on that presentation can be found in a separate article beginning on page 1.)

County Attorney Michael Rains then informed the court about a situation with a local inmate that no area jails would accept and requested the court give Judge Armstrong the authority to sign a Memorandum of Agreement with the Fayette County Detention Center to house the inmate at $71 per day. Rains also noted that facility had its own in-house medical personnel. The court voted unanimously to approve the county attorney’s recommendation.

Magistrate Russell then asked the court about the annual $1,000 donation the county has approved several years ago as a donation to the Albany Fire Department.

It was noted that the allotment was in the county’s budget and Finance Officer Tuesday Davis said no one from the fire department had made a request to receive those funds.

Finally, Magistrate Guinn questioned the judge-executive about how long the road foreman would be on leave of absence, stating she felt until he returned to work, the county vehicle he drove should be left at the county garage. Magistrate Craig also noted that the road foreman, Michael Craig, needed to obtain his CDL license in the near future due to his job with the road department.

Judge Armstrong said Craig may return to work by the end of the month and noted he has come in to work on occasion to take care of needed business, but added he would pass both suggestions by the magistrates along to him.

The next regular meeting of Clinton Fiscal Court is scheduled for May 21 at 5 p.m. at the courthouse and is open to the general public.