Although all governmental type meetings, by law, are made available to the public in some form, another small indication that things may be getting somewhat back to normal was the most recent regular meeting of the Clinton County Fiscal Court.

Last Thursday, April 15, for the first time in a year–since the COVID-19 pandemic became a full fledged health issue, the court opened its meeting to an in-person session.

Although the court had streamed sessions on the judge/executive’s Facebook page for those who had access to the internet, they had been closed to in-person meetings due to health restrictions brought on by the virus.

Health department guidelines were still followed, as masks were required by all who attended the meeting, as well as the six feet spacing limit.

During the approximate 35 minute meeting, which saw all magistrates present, the court dealt with several items of generally routine business, including road funding, budget items and other issues.

The court first acknowledged receiving the monthly treasurer’s report and later the quarterly (third quarter) report for the first three months of the 2021.

They also approved payment of claims and bills and on four separate motions, approved four cash transfers, all from the Occupational checking account in a total amount of $47,000.

The transfers included $20,000 each to the jail and ambulance checking accounts, $2,000 to the DES account and $5,000 to the general fund account.

Without discussion, the court, on a motion by Magistrate Gary Ferguson, voted to advertise for bids for an ambulance service billing company.

Second and final reading of a 2020-21 fiscal year budget amendment was then presented, with Magistrate Terry Buster making the motion to approve the amendment, which passed by unanimous vote.

The budget amendment included various items, such as federal CARES Act funding awarded to local governments as part of the COVID relief package.

In the absence of a Department of Transportation official, Clinton County Judge/Executive Ricky Craig presented the court with the state’s Rural Secondary road program recommendation, including Flex funding the county will be awarded this year.

The county’s total allotment is $760,953, minus routine maintenance and administrative expense, ($380,500), judge executive expense ($2,584) and undistributed balance from previous year ($63,610), leaving $441,479 for road repairs.

The Department of Transportation’s recommended local improvements include KY 415 Beech Bottom Road from mile point 3.202 (Duvall Creek Bridge) to mile point 6.174 (Smith Creek Bridge), a total of 2.972 miles of asphalt resurfacing in the amount of $257,206.

Also, KY 200 Bald Rock Road from mile point 0 Tennessee-Kentucky State line to mile point 0.396 (Clinton-Wayne County line) for asphalt resurfacing at an estimated cost of $31,590.

Clinton County’s Flex fund total will be $152,191 and the Transportation Cabinet recommended the court send recommendations for use of those funds.

The court, for their acknowledgement only, then received the Soil Conservation District Budget for the upcoming year.

A couple of adjustments were made in the budget, pursuant to recommendations by auditors, including a $915.45 incentive payment for the county judge and $466 county reimbursement for the jail commissary account.

The adjustments recommended by the auditors were for the 2019-20 fiscal year.

Viewers were then appointed for Edgewater Drive, located in magistrate Jerry Lowhorn’s 5th District, which has petitioned to be taken into the county road system.

The viewers appointed included magistrates Lowhorn and Ferguson and Road Foreman Danny Abston.

On a motion by magistrate Mickey Riddle, the court voted to sell two used cruisers to the Clinton County Board of Education at a total cost of $6,000. The vehicles will be used for the schools’ SRO (School Resource Officers) program.

Sheriff Jeff Vincent then told the court that a new sheriff’s department vehicle had now arrived and asked if the court could use the $6,000 from the old vehicles to fund the up fitting of the new vehicle. A motion was made and passed 6-0 to use the funds for that purpose.

On a motion by Magistrate Buster, the court voted to accept the annual Municipal Road Aid funding, this year in the amount of $765,899.14.

Christy Stearns, with the Clinton County Extension Service, was on hand to answer any questions the court may have about the County Extension Service’s upcoming year’s budget.

With no discussion, the court, on a motion by magistrate Riddle, approved the budget by unanimous vote.

911 Mapping Coordinator Rene Wells also addressed the magistrates about issues with some county roads, in specific, some roads that may have the wrong names.

Wells told court members that the Lake Cumberland Area Development District (LCADD), which is in charge of putting together a correct county map to match the state map, will hold off until the roads in question are resolved.

She told court members, “If you know of any roads that need to be included or are incorrect, let me know.”

Wells noted that county roads listed on the map did not include private roads or driveways and judge Craig suggested taking each magisterial district and check roads and road names in each to assure all roads listed are correct.

The judge also gave a brief update on possible software updates, including adding time cards.

The court then heard department head reports from Clinton County Jailer Tracy Thurman, Clinton County Road Foreman Danny Abston and Emergency Services Director Lucas Abner.

Abston reported the new tractor with side arm mower had arrived and was at the county maintenance building. He also noted the mowing cycle season in the county was to begin this week.

Judge Craig also said, “Hopefully the (judicial court) judges will send inmates to help pick up trash (along roadways).”

During his report, Abner noted the quest to secure final funding for the proposed four “safe houses” in the county was still ongoing.

Following the Emergency Services Director’s report, magistrate Lowhorn made a motion to purchase two new chairs for the 911 dispatch center. The motion passed unanimously.

Sheriff Vincent also thanked the fiscal court for their cooperation with having no large truck signs erected on the mountainous area of Hwy. 1076 in eastern Clinton County, an area that has seen a lot of large trucks get stuck and having to be pulled out, including during the past winter’s ice storm.

The sheriff has been attempting to have signs put up directing heavy trucks away from that area in the past and the effort has finally paid off with signs being put up.

Sheriff Vincent did say a few larger trucks had disregarded the signs and tried to make the climb anyway, but for the most part, large truck traffic has been reduced significantly in that area.

Finally, magistrate Johnny Russell questioned if there was any way to get some much needed bridge work done in some areas.

Judge Craig noted it was sort of like trying to have guardrails installed in areas of the county, but said he would check with the Department of Transportation to see what he could do to get some bridges in the county upgraded.

With no further items of business or discussion, the meeting was adjourned.

The court will hold a special call meeting next Thursday, April 29, with the time and agenda to be announced later.

The next regular meeting of Clinton Fiscal Court is scheduled for Thursday, May 20, at 5 p.m. at the courthouse and is open to the general public.