Clinton County Fiscal Court held a shorter than usual regular meeting last Thursday evening, April 19 with all members present and only general items of business on the agenda. The session lasted less than a half-hour.

The court first acknowledged receipt of the monthly treasurer’s report and voted to approve and forward the quarterly report for the first quarter of the year to the Department of Local Government and also approved fund transfers.

The court did have a 3-2 vote on claims and bills as some magistrates had some questions about the pending bills. However, the motion to pay was approved with two magistrates, Mickey Riddle and Ricky Craig dissenting.

The court also received copies of the 2018-19 proposed county budget, which will be voted on later this spring, as well as the Soil Conservation District budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

Resolutions were approved for two Emergency Services related grant applications, giving Clinton County Judge/Executive Richard Armstrong authority to sign any documents necessary for the grant applications.

Following a presentation by Emergency Management Director Lonnie Scott, the court–on separate motions–approved resolutions to apply for grant funds for additional outdoor warning sirens to replace some of the older ones in the county, as well as a “cot” grant for ambulances, which includes the purchase of stretchers, cots and other equipment.

The court also voted unanimously to approve a “new hire/payroll adjustment” policy listing rates of pay for all county employees, as recommended by state auditors.

Magistrate Ricky Craig then questioned whether or not the new mower for the park was being left at the park.

Judge Armstrong answered by saying they (park officials) “won’t take care of it,” adding the county had been moving the fields at the park for the past couple of years, including last Thursday.

The judge further added it was a pet project of his to help maintain the park and said the county would continue to mow it until they (park officials) can take care of it.

One spectator at the meeting questioned whether or not the county had any information of the governor’s new “Opportunity Zone” program, which will have a positive effect in several neighborhoods in 84 Kentucky counties, apparently including portions of Clinton.

Administrative Assistant Penny Jo Stearns said the county had not received any specifics on the program as of last week’s meeting.

Prior to adjourning, magistrate Hershell Key presented the court with a petition for residents in the Crescent Ridge area asking a road in that area be accepted into the county road system.

Judge Armstrong appointed three viewers, which is the first step in the process of adopting a roadway in the county.

The next regular meeting of Clinton Fiscal Court is scheduled for May 17 at 5 p.m. and is open to the general public.