Clinton County Fiscal Court held its’ monthly meeting a day early this month, meeting last Wednesday morning, January 19 with all court members on hand.

The court dealt with various issues, during the one and a-half-hour session, which included about a hour in closed session on personnel.

(Among the issues voted on was a Refusal of Services “Treatment without Transport” fee resolution. More information on that resolution, which passed by unanimous vote on a motion by Magistrate Ricky Craig, can be found on page 1 in this week’s edition.)

The meeting opened with the court presenting plaques to two road department employees who had recently retired, including Murl Gibson and former road supervisor David Honeycutt.

The court then voted to pay claims and bills, approved the monthly treasurer’s report as well as the last quarterly report for 2010 and approved a list of fund transfers.

Without discussion and on a motion by Magistrate Mickey Riddle, approved second and final reading of an amendment to the county policies and procedures, which in essence requires all heavy truck and equipment operators who work primarily on the road department, obtain CDL licenses as part of their employment criteria.

County Clerk Jim Elmore then addressed the court about the need for purchasing new, different type voting machines, which will apparently become the norm across Kentucky in future elections.

The new scanner-type voting machines would replace the current machines by the next primary election in May with most funding via a grant from the state, which is funding grants for the new machines state wide.

Elmore said that in previous months, he had feared Kentucky would try to move to “paper ballot” voting, a measure he said he dreaded due to the time consuming task of counting such ballots. However, he said apparently paper ballots are no longer on the table, but the state is going to the newer scanner-type machines.

The clerk noted the only problem for voters was just getting used to the new machines, but said they would be easier to operate once voters become adjusted.

The court, on a motion by Magistrate Riddle, voted to advertise for bids for the purchase of 18 new machines, as well as two machines for disabled voters and software accessories. The state grant will fund some $58,000 of the cost, with the county’s share being only around $800.00.

Elmore noted this would be a good year to begin using the new type machines since it is expected to be a light election year, with only state races on the ballot. It will give voters and election officials time to get accustomed to the new voting equipment.

Bids on the new machines will be opened at next month’s regular meeting and the new machines are expected to be set up and ready for use by this year’s May primary.

The court also voted, on the recommendation of County Judge/Executive Lyle Huff, to reappoint four members to the Clinton County Industrial Development Authority Board.

On a motion by Magistrate Riddle, the court voted 5-1 to reappoint Janie Gibson to a two-year term and Jim Soma (the board’s chairman) and members Keith McWhorter and Barney Latham to four-year terms.

Magistrate Ricky Craig cast the only dissenting vote, saying he felt that some members (on all county appointed boards) had served for years and years and some need to be replaced. Judge Huff said, “point taken” when Craig gave his reason for the no vote.

Magistrate Craig said he felt new members on volunteer boards would have new ideas and added he knew of some individuals who wished to be appointed.

A brief discussion ensued, with some court members noting that if people want to serve on county-appointed type boards, such as the IDA, they should participate in the process.

IDA Coordinator Charlette Koger, who was also at the meeting, also noted that the Industrial Authority meetings were open to the public, but rarely anyone but board members and the news media attended. She also added that the IDA has loans available to qualifying business or industry if they meet the criteria and invited anyone wishing to apply for an IDA loan to contact their office.

The court then entered into a just over one-hour closed session on personnel.

Upon returning to open session, the court voted to hire Adam Jones as full-time county road department employee at $8.50 per hour. The motion passed, with Magistrate Patty Guinn abstaining. It was also noted that Jones did have his CDL license.

Prior to adjourning, the court also approved the 2011 Sheriff’s Office budget as presented, with Magistrate Riddle abstaining.

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