Clinton County Fiscal Court held another short special meeting Monday morning of this week, November 2 with all members present, dealing with a handful of items, one of which resulted in another split vote.

The center of discussion was on a request by judge/executive Richard Armstrong for permission to travel to Arkansas to a state vehicle sale and try to purchase a couple of much needed pick-up trucks for the road department.

Armstrong noted the poor condition of some of the existing trucks and some that are basically already junked. He said the sale taking place in Arkansas was being held Wednesday of this week and he had purchased vehicles there in the past at low discount rates.

He requested the court’s permission to try and buy one or two trucks and keep the purchase price under the $20,000 bid limit.

Most court members agreed new trucks, such as a crew cab or extend cab 4×4 was needed, but some felt the trucks should be purchased locally if possible and also magistrate Mickey Riddle said he would be more in favor of purchasing a new dump truck, which is also badly needed.

Judge Armstrong said he had already checked a couple of places in the local area but nothing that would fit the county’s needs was available at an affordable cost, but did agree to check again on Monday with some local dealers.

Following a brief discussion, a motion was made by magistrate Terry Buster to give approval for the judge to go to the state sale in Arkansas this week and look for vehicles under the $20,000 bid range, with the motion being seconded by magistrate Hershell Key. The vote wound up three to three with Magistrate Johnny Russell voting yes and magistrates Riddle, Ricky Craig and Patty Guinn all voting no. Judge Armstrong broke the tie with a yes vote, approving the measure 4-3.

Each magistrate noted their reason for voting no, primarily being they felt the vehicles should be purchased locally if possible, as well as the need for another dump truck, which may be purchased in the future.

Also at the meeting, the court approved a resolution authorizing the judge to accept funding from the state transportation cabinet for discretional road funds; voted to pay two small ambulance service associated bills and approved a cash transfer from the Occupational Tax Fund to the jail and ambulance service.

The next meeting of the fiscal court will also be a called meeting in lieu of the regularly scheduled meeting and held on Friday, November 13 at 8 a.m. in the upstairs courtroom of the courthouse and is open to the public.