BENTON – [VIDEO FOLLOWS REPORT] Marshall County Fiscal Court met in regular session on Tuesday, October 20, 2015 and welcomed the Marshall County Hospital Auxiliary. Judge Chyrill Miller read a proclamation setting Friday, November 6, 2015 as Love Light Tree Day in Marshall County.
The Auxiliary has held the Love Light Tree ceremony for 29 years and is an avenue to commemorate loved ones deceased or living by sponsoring a light on the Love Light Tree.
Jonathon Creek Water District
David Lovett, water district Superintendent, gave a report on the progress of the district. Lovett said the iron issue is taken care of and the well cleaned out September 24th which was causing the problem of accumulated iron.
Lovett said the district is performing a system-wide flushing with a letter sent to customers explaining what they were doing, requesting customers to not open any hydrants themselves.
Economic Development
Wendy Baxter reported to the court regarding the Work-Ready program. The county has officially received their Work-Ready approval and will soon replace the Work-Ready in Progress signs.
Marshall County Parks
Parks Director, Larry Whitt, told the court of a letter from TVA concerning their 2016 budget and would like to meet to discuss the possibility of building a fishing pier at Buckhorn Bay or Big Bear.
Whitt would like to meet to see if there will be any cost to the county and decide whether to pursue it.
Whitt also reported that the Mike Miller Park Christmas lights are going up and started this project in mid-September like they have every year, but reported that they have received some phone call complaints.
North Marshall Water District
Bobby Gifford made a draw request in the amount of $8,496.01 for all materials for the Oak Level tank booster station which was approved.
Gifford submitted the North Marshall Water Budget as required by law 60 days in advance. The budget was approved at last month’s meeting.
OLD BUSINESS
Salt Agreement
A salt agreement has been written by Assistant County Attorney Jason Darnell. The county approved the agreement and will get input from the cities as to the amount of salt they will be needing to reduce the cost to them by adding to the county’s order.
Park Board
The court approved the appointment of Dean McCoy to replace Norm Llewellyn as recommended by the Park Board.
Road Department
Bids were opened for a 5-quarter ton truck for the Road Department. Superintendent Russell York requested that the low bid by Parkway Chrysler not be accepted due to limitations of the truck bid. York would like to go with International truck out of Calloway County which will be able to do more things for the department.
Commissioner Bowlin commented that he hates to see them go out of the county to purchase a truck.
A discussion was held as to whether the price increase of $11,000 for the International truck was justified by York which Commissioner Gold felt it was.
A vote was called for and motion made by Gold but not seconded. Commissioner Cocke felt the specifications that were provided were met by those bidding.
York said a PTO driven bed was requested and the Dodge truck bid was electric over hydraulic.
Following a lengthy discussion with input from Courtney Ashley from Parkway Chrysler, the court agreed, upon the request of York, to throw the bids out and re-bid at a future date with specifications more specific to the needs of the department.
York said the department is limited on what they can do with the current Dodge truck.
KHSAA Fishing Tournament
The court has agreed to give the tournament a $1,000 donation if Marshall County is chosen for the tournament site.
NEW BUSINESS
Bid Openings
Bid Openings were held for a Yukon truck, ambulance remount and surplus property.
The high bid of $2,751 by Kurt Schmidt was accepted for the Yukon truck. Those funds will be forwarded to the Rescue Squad for the purchase of a portable carport.
The ambulance remount bid of $87,469.50 after trade in by Select Tech was accepted.
The high bids for surplus property were approved with the exception of the patcher which Russell York felt they could be a better price for at auction.
ABC Ordinance
The first reading of the ABC Ordinance amendments were read by Jason Darnell and approved by the court. These were recommended changes by the state.
Budget Amendment Ordinance
A first reading was held for the Budget Amendment Ordinance which the court approved.
Smoke Free Resolution
Judge Miller read a resolution declaring the courthouse a smoke-free environment. The resolution can be changed to include other county buildings if necessary.
Jackson Purchase Electric
A rate hike increase will take place with a total increase of approximately $18,000-$19,000 to the county to cover their electric bills.
Fleetwood Property
The Fleetwood property has been sold through a real estate agency from Nashville purchased by a local buyer.
Animal Shelter
Animals in the pen as of 7-31-15 was 64, brought in by wardens 22, brought in by citizens 69 for a total taken in of 91. Animals adopted 77, animals reclaimed 12, euthanized 14 and in the pen as of 8-31-15 52. Adoption fees were $1,562.
Executive Session
The court went into Executive Session and upon returning, removed the hiring freeze to hire Lisa Colburn to work as needed with the janitorial crew at the courthouse. The hiring freeze was then restored.
The next meeting of the Fiscal Court is November 3rd.