Clinton County Fiscal Court met in regular session Thursday, December 16 with five of six members on hand and dealt with several issues, including personnel.

Near the conclusion of the meeting, following a 45-minute closed session, Judge/Executive Lyle Huff announced that County Road Supervisor David Honeycutt, who has served in that capacity the past four years, had decided to retire at the end of this calendar year.

Following the announcement, the court voted unanimously to hire current Property Valuation Administrator James H. “Big Jim” Pennycuff, who will be leaving that office Jan. 1, to replace Honeycutt as Road Supervisor, effective immediately, at the rate of $13.50 per hour.

During the retirement announcement and hiring of a replacement, Judge Huff, members of the court and other elected officials who were on hand for the meeting all thanked Honeycutt for his service as well as commended the county road department for the hard work and job they did during the snow and ice storms that moved through Clinton County a few days prior to the meeting.

In other personnel related issues, the court transferred Tonya Ball, a part-time EMT to part-time 911 Dispatcher and changed her rate of pay from $8.50 to $8.73 per hour and also voted to hire Martha Clark as part-time deputy at the jail at $8.50 per hour.

Court members also dealt with several other issues, first voting to pay claims and bills, approved the treasurer’s report and one fund transfer. Under claims and bills, Judge Huff noted that two proposals had been received for preparing the county employee Christmas dinner, which had already been held. The low bid of $1,100 from Jones Restaurant had been accepted.

A representative of Arnold Consulting of Bowling Green then informed the court that four bids had been received on the additions to the EMS facility and recommended the court accept the low bid.

On a motion by Magistrate Mickey Riddle, the court voted to accept the bid of Winterhawk Construction of Albany, the low bidder, at $63,150. They also voted to authorize the judge/executive to sign the contract with Winterhawk for the work, which will among other items, include the addition of two new parking bays. Funding for the project was received via a federal grant.

On a motion by Magistrate Willard Johnson, the court approved a resolution for the State Emergency Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement. This is to allow Clinton County, in the event of a disaster declaration, to seek assistance from other counties and the state and in turn, allows Clinton County to assist other counties in some type of disaster emergency.

Magistrate Charlotte Bernard made a motion to amend the county’s policy and procedures, reflecting that county road department employees who operate heavy trucks/equipment be required to obtain CDL licenses. The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Two Clinton County Extension Service Board members were appointed by the court, including Anna Norris and Lynn Conner, prior to the executive session to discuss personnel issues.

In other business, the court:

* Approved the County Clerk’s budget as presented by Clerk Jim Elmore.

* Judge Huff announced a call meeting of the court would be held on Monday, January 3 at 8:30 a.m. on personnel and other issues and that bids on Phase III of the Community Center improvement project would be opened on Thursday, January 6.

* Announced that the public officials swearing-in ceremony, being hosted by the Clinton County Industrial Authority, would be held on Thursday, December 30 at 6 p.m. at the Clinton County Learning Center? or the Welcome Center?, with Circuit Judge Eddie C. Lovelace conducting the swearing-in of the elected officials.

Prior to adjourning the meeting, the court and others presented outgoing second district Magistrate Billy K. Smith with a plaque, recognizing him for his past eight years (two terms) served on the fiscal court.

The next regular meeting of Clinton Fiscal Court is scheduled for Thursday, January 20 at 5 p.m. at the judge/executive’s office and is open to the general public.