Clinton Fiscal Court held a less than 20 minute special meeting last Tuesday afternoon, November 22, with all members present. The meeting was held in lieu of its regular meeting, which had been cancelled due to a scheduling conflict.

At last week’s called session, the court accepted bids for a new ambulance, reappointed board members, and dealt with other routine items of business.

After acknowledging the treasurer’s report, they approved the monthly report and also voted to pay claims and bills, both on motions by Magistrate Johnny Russell.

Four separate cash transfers totaling $148,000 were also approved. All were from the Occupational Fund.

The court approved a $25,000 transfer to the jail checking account on a motion by Magistrate Jerry Lowhorn; a $60,000 transfer to the ambulance checking account on a motion by Magistrate Terry Buster; a $50,000 transfer to the general fund checking account on a motion from Magistrate Gary Ferguson; and a $13,000 transfer to the general fund checking account on a motion by Magistrate Ray Marcum.

The latter transfer to the general account was for the recent purchase of a vehicle for Tri-County Animal Shelter use.

The court, on a motion by Marcum, approved a final resolution for the closing of the Davis Road extension in the second magisterial district.

County Clerk Nathan Collins then addressed the court pertaining to election worker pay. He noted the number of hours those workers had logged in and said they received no pay for two training hours.

On a motion by Russell, the court voted unanimously to increase the amount of pay for election workers (on election day) by $30.

Sheriff Jeff Vincent then requested an amendment to the sheriff’s office budget. The amendment pertained to the recent purchase of a new vehicle for the department, cost of training hours for deputies, and so forth, noting it was basically just “shifting” line items around to meet auditor requirements.

The court unanimously approved the budget amendment request on a motion by Lowhorn.

Director of Emergency Services Coordinator Lucas Abner then presented the court with the sole bid for two ambulances, received by Select Tech out of Tennessee.

The court is in the process of purchasing a pair of 2024 Chevrolet 6.6 liter gas engine vehicles, 4WD.

The bid price was $131,150 for each, but the only drawback, according to the DES Director is that the chassis for the ambulances will take between 18 and 24 months for delivery.

Abner noted that the boxes on the vehicles could be done in a few months, but due to the supply chain issue nationwide, the timing to receive the chassis and have the vehicles on the road would be slow.

The court voted unanimously to approve the lone bid, with separate motions being made to fund one vehicle with ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds and the other with CARES Act funds.

Abner noted that since he has been working with the local EMS, this is the first time the county has been able to purchase up to five ambulances (four new) within a four year period and thanked the court for its work and cooperation in keeping the ambulance fleet up and running.

Later in the meeting, Abner also gave the EMS monthly activity report, which included the ambulance service making some 24 out-of-town runs during the month of October. It was also noted that ambulance billing collection rates was up dramatically over past time periods.

The court also unanimously approved several board reappointments last week.

Al Gibson was reappointed for a three year term on the Tourism Commission; Kim Stockton and Barney Latham were both reappointed for three year terms on the Industrial Development Authority; and, Janie Gibson was reappointed to a four year term on the Clinton County Library Board.

On a recommendation by Judge/Executive Ricky Craig, Eugene Cross was hired as an employee at the animal shelter at $13 per hour.

Judge Craig also announced that a swearing-in ceremony for city and county officials elected this year will be held on Sunday, December 11, at 1:30 p.m. in the upstairs courtroom of the courthouse.

The next regular meeting of the Clinton County Fiscal Court is scheduled for Thursday, December 15, at 5 p.m. in the upstairs courtroom of the courthouse and is open to the public.