Clinton Fiscal Court, meeting in regular session last Thursday evening, June 16, again divided on some issues involving financial items and one magistrate expressed her feelings over perceived sarcasm she felt she has been receiving at the end of the session, in which all magistrates were present.

The court was first presented the monthly treasurer’s report, fund transfers and claims and bills.

Although the treasurer’s report and transfers were approved by unanimous vote, questions about some of the claims and bills, specifically paying for inmates’ lunches while they are on work release for the county road department, caused some division among court members.

Magistrate Ricky Craig again questioned why the jail couldn’t supply the work release inmates lunch, in lieu of taking them out to eat.

Solid waste coordinator Rick Stearns responded that four to five inmates work hard to help clean up litter along the roadways and the Litter Abatement program paid for the cost of labor up to $7.25 an hour, saying there was about a $6,600 reimbursement to the county from the program, referring that inmate use was actually saving the county money.

Clinton County Judge/Executive Richard Armstrong also said buying the inmates lunch was an incentive for them to work and said they did work hard.

There was also a question about a payment to Logan’s Heating & Cooling of Byrdstown, Tennessee for the replacement of an air conditioning unit at the Community Center.

Armstrong noted that those projects were no longer bid after a bad situation a few years ago, but rather various companies were on a list and called in order when work or parts are needed.

Following questions on the bills, magistrate Terry Buster made the motion to approve, with magistrates Hershell Key and Johnny Russell voting yes and magistrates Craig, Mickey Riddle and Patty Guinn voting no. Judge Armstrong broke the tie with a yes vote.

The court then approved, by unanimous vote, the sheriff’s 2015 tax settlement and second reading of a 2015-16 year budget amendment.

Stearns then gave the monthly Solid Waste Coordinator’s report, noting the cleanup of the illegal Blue Ridge dump site has been completed and paid for entirely from a state grant.

Judge Armstrong also noted that an unsightly area between the fire department and emergency services building had been cleaned and improvements to the property were being made.

The court then approved the annual Road Aid agreement and separate resolution with the Department of Transportation.

Clinton County Emergency Services Director Lonnie Scott informed the court about a grant application that is open that would allow partial funding for a new, much needed, ambulance. He said the county may be in line for the $50,000 grant and with other funds on hand, may have up to $70,000 toward such a purchase. He said the process, which may take several months, had to begin with a resolution of approval.

The court voted unanimously to proceed with drafting a resolution and applying for the grant funds.

The second split decision of the court came when judge Armstrong recommended the purchase of a new truck for the road department, at state contract price, meaning it would not have to be bid. He recommended purchasing a new one-ton Chevy Silerado for the department at a cost of approximately $28,000, saying the road fund budget for the coming fiscal year had about $100,000 set aside for equipment expense.

Some magistrates, however, disagreed with the need for another truck of that size, noting they had asked for and advocated the need for the purchase of a dump truck instead for the past several months. The judge said the one-ton was more flexible and would be used the most, but said eventually the county would purchase a dump truck.

After a brief discussion, magistrate Key made the motion to purchase the new truck, with again, Russell and Buster voting yes, Craig, Guinn and Riddle voting no and judge Armstrong breaking the tie with a yes vote.

A representative from a local area in Clinton County, apparently who has been adopting dogs from the animal shelter and having them taken to no-kill animal locations, briefly addressed the court, saying she helped rescue 40 dogs a month to be taken to no-kill out-of-state shelters, such as in Illinois and other states.

Magistrate Mickey Riddle then asked the woman where her property to keep the animals was located, and when she replied near the Wolf Creek Dam area in northern Clinton County, Riddle and other magistrates noted there had been a “lot of complaints,” including from neighbors, about the condition of that location and had requested something be done.

Deputy judge/executive Joy Armstrong said she thought a volunteer from the Tri-County Animal Shelter would be at the meeting, but was not, but added even the local shelter volunteers had some complaints about the conditions of the location in question.

Judge/executive Armstrong said that he, sheriff Jim Guffey and solid waste coordinator Stearns had visited the site in question and that conditions were bad, with several dogs running lose and some apparently living inside the residence.

Sheriff Guffey indicated the county was giving the property owner some leeway, noting she could have been cited due to the conditions.

The property owner vowed to take care of the problem and clean-up the property, but in the meantime, the court opted not to allow her to adopt any more animals from the local shelter until the problems had been addressed.

At the end of the business session, Magistrate Patty Guinn, visibly a little upset, said “I don’t like the road foreman’s sarcastic remarks” after each vote I take. “We have the right to vote however we want to.”

Guinn had apparently taken issue with some comments she felt road foreman Michael Craig had directed at her at times during meetings, including last Thursday when she voted no on the road department truck purchase.

After the roll call vote, Craig remarked maybe the county should purchase a dump truck from Fitzgerald’s (trucking company), a location in which Guinn is now employed.

Judge Armstong said he hadn’t heard any remarks that seemed sarcastic or directed at magistrate Guinn and got no direct response from other court members when he asked if they were offended by the road foreman’s remarks.

Guinn further stated she had on tape “of them saying things about me,” and an attorney had asked her about the matter, saying “and I don’t think you want to go there.”

Armstrong then indicated threats weren’t taken too well, but added if Guinn had an attorney, she should continue that route. Joy Armstrong also concurred with the judge’s statement.

The only magistrate to speak during the brief exchange was magistrate Craig who said he simply felt everyone should have a right to express their opinion.

When asked for a motion to adjourn, Guinn made the motion, which passed unanimously.

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