Clinton County Fiscal Court held an almost two-hour regular meeting last Thursday evening, April 21 with all court members present and several issues discussed or voted on. Over half of the meeting dealt with an issue involving a gate erected on a county road and a separate article on that issues appears elsewhere this week.

The court first approved both the monthly and quarterly treasurer’s reports, fund transfers, and voted to play claims and bills.

Following the discussion on the county road an gate, Christy Nuetzman with the Clinton County Extension Service briefly addressed the court about the recent Centers for Disease Control (CDC) grant the county has received and administered by the UK Extension Service and local extension office. The funds were awarded due to the county’s high obesity rate and urges programs to help local residents maintain a healthier lifestyle, primarily with more physical activity and better diet.

Nuetzman said an expert had toured the area recently and made some recommendations. She invited the court members to a meeting to be held on May 12 for all local officials dealing with the grant and a public forum the following day, May 13 and putting some pro-active programs into practice.

Nuetzman told the court, the county will see “a lot coming out of the Extension Office promoting healthier lifestyles,” and asked the fiscal court for its continued support for the projects being implemented.

Solid Waste Coordinator Rick Stearns then gave his monthly report, recapping the recent Dale Hollow Lake Roadside Cleanup and Tire Amnesty Days held the prior week, as well as the status of some illegal dumps that are being cleaned up.

Stearns said there were four remaining sites being cleared as of last week and inmates were being used for labor to save the county money. He also discussed the problem with several reports of illegal dumping throughout the county and presented the court with a KRS statute pertaining to illegal dumping.

(A separate article on illegal dumping, including laws prohibiting it, will be published in next week’s Clinton County News.)

Clinton County Judge/Executive Richard Armstrong, following Stearns’ report, noted that “everyone can get garbage collection in the county for just $12 per month.”

The court then approved the annual $10,000 allotment to the Recreation Park Board for annual operating expenses and on a recommendation from judge Armstrong, voted to contribute $1,000 towards the July 4th Celebration and fireworks show which will once again be held at Mountain View Park.

Judge Armstrong then discussed additional outdoor warning sirens for the county, informing the court that Benny Garland of the South Kentucky RECC was currently working on a grant which may enable the county to obtain at a price, and with a match, get a second siren at no cost to the county. Also, the grant would include poles in which to install the sirens, which cost around $500 each. He requested the county postpone action until next month to see about the status of the grant before taking action. He did note, however, the county needed a couple of more sirens regardless.

It was also noted that the siren that had been at Wells Bottom had been moved to U.S. 127 and another had been relocated to the area near the Albany Water Treatment Plant. He thanked Albany Mayor Nicky Smith for allowing the siren to be located at the treatment facility. Further, court members noted that at least one siren was needed along Hwy. 90, possibly closer to the Davis Chapel area, north of Albany.

The court then voted to hire Anthony Whitley to replace Neli Conner on the road department, starting at $8.50 per hour and also voted to increase Rick Stearns salary, now that his probationary period is over, to $9 per hour. That motion was on the stipulation that Stearns no longer receive mileage pay for his duties as Solid Waste Coordinator, but rather begin using county vehicles while performing those duties.

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