Four employees from the city of Russell Springs have been placed on paid leave as allegations of misconduct are investigated by the Kentucky State Police as well as the state’s Department of Corrections, according to City Attorney Matthew DeHart.

Those placed on leave include City Clerk Wendy Burton, Deputy Clerk Sharon Hill, Safety Director Richard Roy and park employee Mark McClure.

DeHart said the allegations involve work release inmates from the Russell County Detention Center which had been assigned to the city of Russell Springs.

As you well know we suspended four employees of the city; an investigative suspension, with pay, pending the outcome of the investigation by the KSP and Department of Corrections,” he said.

“I’m not going to comment on the allegations,” said DeHart, “because at this point that’s all they are.”

DeHart said after consultation with lawyers with the Kentucky League of Cities he brought in outside agencies to oversee the investigations.

“We’re leaving this entirely to outside investigators,” said DeHart. “I received knowledge of it last Thursday, and at that point we contacted KSP, and I believe Jailer Dunbar had contacted the Department of Corrections, so there’s going to be a joint investigation by them.”

As of now, the two outside agencies are leading in the investigation, but DeHart acknowledged that others could be involved, “very possibly,” DeHart said. “I would assume that if there are to be any charges that those investigative agencies would approach the proper authorities, either the Commonwealth Attorney or whoever else would be involved in prosecuting the case.”

Russell County Jailer Bobby Dunbar said he has personally suspended all work release programs until the investigation has been completed.

“The investigation started out when we heard that an inmate had a cell phone,” Dunbar said. “I asked somebody to investigate it to see if they could find the cell phone and they ended up finding three inmates with cell phones and from that it has escalated into a little bit more and its all in the hands of the KSP and DOC right now.”

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Board Chairman James Gray implemented new policies at the October meeting of the Russell County Ambulance Board.

The board voted to adopt new procedures for fuel accountability from reserve tanks on site, Gray noting that current procedures did not adequately account for fuel being stored and used.

The fuel log will contain and account for all fuel being taken from the bulk tank, with a minimum starting gallons, addition of any fuel, and a running total of any gallons in the tank.

Also, date, vehicle receiving the fuel, gallons used, and name of the persons pumping the fuel. Any other agency is also responsible to keep a log.

Gray also asked that a formal log be kept for each of the service vehicles, with at a minimum the date, beginning miles and ending miles and reasons for use for each employee usage; log to be presented at the monthly board meetings.

A log of expenditure of funds, a practice Gray said he believes is how they’ve been doing it, but that he just wanted to be sure it’s formalized, noting that any fund spending outside of routine costs must be approved by the board, including overnight trips, expenses for training and travel and others.

Gray asked that a nepotism policy be included in the employee handbook and polices and procedures.

After much discussion, considering the multiple relationships and business relations outside the ambulance service, it was determined that possible conflicts of interest should be made aware to the director for consideration.

Board member Chris Ferguson brought up a matter of the practice of supplying the Lake Cumberland Dragway with an ambulance with an EMT for a fee, and whether that would meet liability needs the ambulance service would be undertaking.

Under the advisement of board attorney Don Byrom, the board decided they must provide another either EMT or Paramedic with the additional cost of that staffing being the ambulance vehicle presence indicates a service not able to be provided by only one EMT present.