BENTON – [VIDEO FOLLOWS REPORT] Tuesday’s Fiscal Court meeting began with an update from Robert Chandler with the Veteran’s Van Program. Chandler informed the court of the van used to transport veterans to doctor appointments has over 100,000 miles on it.
Chandler talked to the Secretary of Transportation in Frankfort who is going to get the program a better van while allowing them to keep the current van. He would like to see the old van added to the Marshall County fleet of vehicles in order to maintain it for use if needed.
The Veteran’s Van program has made 39 runs so far this year.
Bobby Gifford came before the court requesting the remaining funds for the Oak Level-Brewers tank. Of the 1.2 million budget on this project, $107,500 remains which Gifford requested. The court approved the request.
Gifford said the application process for money to help out Sanitation District #2 in Draffenville has been started. Bids have been solicited for the rehab of the lift stations at Sanitation District #1 which will be opened on December 14th.
OLD BUSINESS
Big Bear Park
The Big Bear Park easement report was given by Assistant County Attorney Jason Darnall who wished to see some of the wording changed on the report and will update the court on this at a future date.
South Marshall Fire District
The South Marshall Fire District Board member recommendations of Mike Alexander, Marcia Sirls, Jean Puteet, Gary Freeman, Kenneth Jones, Harry Holiday and June Hudson were approved by the court.
NEW BUSINESS
Library Board
The Library Board term of Bruce Lyles expires due to term limitations and Paul Thurman was approved as his replacement.
Sheriff’s Office Fee Pooling
The first reading of Ordinance #2015-07 was heard which concerns fee pooling for the Sheriff’s Office.
The Ordinance reads that a fee pooling system would be economical and beneficial to maintain fiscal soundness of the county.
The operating budget for the Sheriff’s Office will run through the Fiscal Court and the County Treasurer’s office under the new Ordinance. A large portion of the Sheriff’s Office budget relies each year on fees from Property Taxes which results in an irregular cash flow.
Sheriff Kevin Byars asked the Fiscal Court members if this Ordinance was discussed with them prior to this week. Commissioners Gold and Bowlin said they were made aware of it on Monday and Commissioner Cocke said he was aware there was a ‘thought process’ to the possibility of fee pooling.
“Do you think being the chief law enforcement officer of this county that it should have been discussed and presented to me as well”, Byars asked of the commissioners.
Commissioner Gold said he didn’t disagree with that and thought it could have been discussed sooner.
Byars said it was brought up to him in a meeting the previous week but felt a week prior to the first reading isn’t enough of a discussion and said it was “deceitful and underhanded” the way it was done.
Judge Kevin Neal addressed Byars saying, “fee pooling is not new and is something that other counties are doing”.
“Fee pooling is another option on the table that this court can look at”, Neal said. “No where does it state that there has to be communication with the Sheriff nor does it state that there’s a time line.”
Byars addressed Neal saying that he thought that the new Judge Executive wanted open lines of communication with the entire county government, “that’s not open lines of communication, that’s dictating in my opinion.”
“I do not have a dog in the race in other words”, Byars asked.
“At this point, no”, Neal said. “This is another option that this Fiscal Court can look at to manage the tax payers money. That is my responsibility to bring that to the Fiscal Court.”
Sheriff Byars feels that the Sheriff’s Office is being singled out and asked why the other county offices are not included in this.
The second reading of the Ordinance will be held at the next Fiscal Court meeting on December 15th.
Hunter’s Lane Property
Jeff Risley addressed the court concerning property he and his wife would like to purchase on Hunter’s Lane that has a county road that runs up to it with a cul-de-sac which has a 27 x 50 foot unfinished section after the cul-de-sac. Risley asked if the section can be taken into the county road system to gain access into the property.
The County Attorney’s office will look into it to see if it can legally be done and whether the section is already part of the county road system.