BENTON – The regular meeting of the Marshall County Fiscal Court began with a special presentation to Marshall County High School student Logan Byrd. Logan was recognized for being the youngest farmer in the state of Kentucky. He is a member of FFA and is a Farms to Food Banks grower making selfless contributions to those in need. Judge/Executive Kevin Neal presented Logan with a framed certificate commissioning him as a Kentucky Colonel by the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Friends of Chestnut Creek
Maggie Morgan with Friends of Chestnut Creek, spoke to the court about an opportunity to apply for EPA funding to help residents in the Chestnut Creek watershed area to improve water quality. The Fiscal Court is eligible to apply for funds to improve water quality, half of the money goes to the planning which the ‘friends’ group has already done and half goes to management practices.
“You can’t implement the practices without the plan and you now have a plan”, Morgan said. “So you are now eligible to receive funding through that program.”
A possible project would allow funding for the repair, replacement or maintenance of failing septic systems. Trying to help homeowners connect to existing lines is another possible way to use the funding.
The money from the state is a 60/40 split with local government coming up with 40%. If the Fiscal Court is interested in pursuing this project, they will sit down with the friends group and decide how much money to ask for.
The benefit is environmental as well as residences can now expand with the removal of lagoon systems. Judge Neal commended the work of the Chestnut Creek Friends group getting this started which made the funds available for clean drinking water for those in that district.
Neal feels that educating the community members in that watershed area with failing septic systems is important and that these funds are available to help them.
Pilgrims Pride
Pilgrims Pride, in Graves County, is remodeling their facility and are paying their employees to volunteer time in the community while remodeling is taking place. A few have been volunteering at the park to help with the Christmas lights display.
CORRESPONDENCE
A letter from Four Rivers Behavioral Health Outpatient Program informed the court they are reopening with services beginning this week with a 30 session program that provides comprehensive treatment for individuals suffering from substance abuse disorders and meet three evenings week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. If anyone needs any assistance or additional information, contact Donita Keith at 270-753-6622.
OLD BUSINESS
Shar-Cal Bridge
From the Transportation Cabinet, the court’s request for emergency funding for the bridge on Shar-Cal Road was approved in the amount of $100,000, $50,000 of which will be processed and sent via check. The remaining $50,000 will be sent when the project is completed.
Love Light Tree
Judge Neal read a proclamation for the observance of a county-wide love light tree day, which has been set for Friday, November 4, 2016.
Oak Level/Brewers Tank
Potable water is a concern, starting in 2011, for those in the Oak Level/Brewers area. The next phase of this is ready to begin.
Bids
Sealed bids were opened for a Water Jetter for the Road Department, Fiscal Court vehicles, Sheriff’s Office vehicles and Ambulance remount.
One bid was received for the Water Jetter from CMI Equipment in the amount of $54,203 which the court accepted.
Two bids were received for Fiscal Court vehicles from Enterprise Fleet Management and Parkway Chrysler. These bids will be reviewed and decided upon at the next court meeting.
One bid was received for the Sheriff’s Office vehicles from Parkway Chrysler which Sheriff Kevin Byars will review before the next court meeting.
One bid was received for the Ambulance remount from Select Tech in the amount of $92,890 which was accepted by the court.
Sheriff’s Response to Formal Letter
Major David Maddox spoke to the court explaining the updates that he has been making to their policy and procedures manual. Maddox also spoke to his earlier comments about their policy and procedures being a “fluid document” saying what he meant by that statement is they have to change according to new statutes. They are also working on accreditation for the Sheriff’s Office.
PTO was addressed and a policy is in place in the new manual which will go into effect November 1st. According to Maddox, once it is complete and goes into effect, copies will be provided to all Fiscal Court members.
Maddox summarized items that are in the policy and procedures manual which is 65 chapters long. Personnel training will be completed in the next couple of weeks as well as an initial visit for accreditation.
NEW BUSINESS
2017 Service Agreement for Wellness
The price from Peel and Holland for employee wellness agreement has not changed for the year 2017 and was accepted by the court.
Employee pay increases
Roy Jones and Randy Henson have been moved into the Maintenance Department and the court approved raises to put them in line with the Maintenance Department employees.
Barnes Grocery
The old Barnes Grocery building is owned by the county and a discussion was held as to what to do with the building. The Refuse Department green boxes are there and a survey will be made of the property by the Refuse Department. The court approved to look into surplusing the building and determine the area to be used by the Refuse Department.
Extension District
Four individuals were nominated to serve on the Marshall County Extension District Board and they are Dianna Angle, Jeff Futrell, John Miller and Eugenia Siebert to fill the expired terms of Dianna Angle and Doll Blakney. Angle is eligible for another three year term before required to sit out a year. Blakney has served two consecutive terms and must sit out for at least a year. The court approved the appointments of Angle and Futrell to the board.
Fiscal Court Credit Card
Due to circumstances that require a credit card for unique purchases that can’t be made otherwise, the Fiscal Court will obtain a credit card with access restricted to the county treasurer to be kept in a safe.
Sheriff’s Budget
Changes that need to be made to the Sheriff’s 2016 budget under technology line item to put Interact into place, which is a one-time cost, was approved under Appropriation Transfers. Under the line item ‘supplies’ the Sheriff’s Office will have a short-fall due to the cost of stamps to send out the tax bills. Sheriff Byars asked that postage be its own line item in next year’s budget.
Holiday Schedule
The 2017 Holiday Schedule for county employees was approved.
Treasurer’s Report
The court approved the Quarterly Report, Encumbrance Report, Appropriation Transfer and Intrafund Transfer.
The next meeting of the Fiscal Court will be Tuesday, November 1, 2016.