There will be several changes and even more new faces that make up the Clinton County Industrial Development Authority Board following actions and announcements made at the board’s first regular meeting of 2019, held last Thursday morning, February 14 with six members on hand.

There had already been a couple of new members appointed by Clinton County Judge/Executive Ricky Craig and the fiscal court in January, announcing that Jarrod Witham and Shane Smith would replace former board chairman Jim Soma and Penny Jo Stearns on the board. Those two members’ terms were up.

At its meeting last week, vice-chairman Keith McWhorter chaired the approximate 40-minute meeting, which began with routine business with the board voting to pay claims and bills and approving the IDA expenditure reports.

Board member Debbie Brown then made a motion to “lay off” IDA Executive Director Charlette Koger with the stipulation she be eligible for unemployment. The motion received a second and passed by unanimous vote.

It was also noted that custodian Rick Mercader, who was a former IDA member and board chairman himself, would be resigning. Both Koger and Mercader’s last work day with the board will be April 10, 2019.

Koger, who has been with the IDA for 15 years, the past several as the board’s director, told the board that whoever her replacement would be, they would need a new computer system and Quick Books program, noting the current system has crashed. She also updated the board, particularly the newer members, on outstanding loans to the IDA.

The board then voted to advertise for the director’s position and applications and job descriptions, etc. are available at the IDA-Welcome Center office.

Also, a three person committee was formed to review applications and interview perspective applicants. That committee will be made up of Witham, Randy Speck and Barney Latham. They will begin meeting in early March to review any applications received and set up the process of hiring a new director.

Vice-chairman McWhorter, also a long-time member of the IDA board, announced during the discussion that he, too, would be stepping down after this month.

McWhorter cited health issues, as well as the time he puts in with mission work for the church, making it difficult for him to attend meetings and put in the required time of a board member.

It will again be up to the county judge to recommend a replacement.

With it being the first meeting of a new year, officers were also up for election.

Both Witham and Latham volunteered to serve as board chairman and vice-chairman, respectively, and Brown will remain as board secretary for the remainder of the year.

It was also noted that the funding for the July 4th fireworks show and annual state fair promotion in Louisville has been taken care of for the 2019 year.

Mercader also gave an overview of the work the Industrial Development Authority has done over the past decade and a half, including loans made and so forth.

Before the meeting concluded, Koger thanked the board for the opportunity to serve in her capacity, saying it had been a “wonderful 15 years” and that she had worked with some great people over that time.

McWhorter also told the board that although he would no longer be a member soon, he would offer his assistance in any way possible at any time.

The next regular meeting of the Clinton County IDA is scheduled for Thursday, April 11 at 11 a.m. at the IDA-Welcome Center and is open to the public.