BENTON – Senior citizens, Clarks River Wildlife Refuge and the Alcohol, Beverage and Control Ordinance reading brought a large crowd into the Fiscal Court room at their regular meeting on Tuesday, August 11th.
Veteran’s Transportation coordinator, Robert Chandler, is back behind the wheel transporting the local veterans to their appointments at the VA Hospital in Marion and in Paducah after being out a while due to illness. Chandler came before the Fiscal Court Tuesday to let the court know he’s back and appreciates those who stepped in for him during his absence.
Friends of Clarks River Wildlife Refuge president Ray Stainfield, addressed the Fiscal Court with concerns over data and research collected about the high levels of bacteria in the Clark’s River, specifically the area of the Chestnut Creek Watershed. A meeting will take place for all concerned citizens on August 27th at 6:00 at the Marshall County Public Library in Benton.
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Josh Tubbs updated the court on the Work-Ready resolution application which the court approved. With the implementation of Marshall County High School’s work-ready program with the current senior class the application will be made next month and presented in October.
The resolution gives the Fiscal Court’s approval to “help the county to compete and attract jobs now and in the future” as well as “indentify skill gaps in its workforce and quantify the level of skill within the workforce”. The initiative also, “recognizes the importance of a skilled workforce within Marshall County for the economic life of Marshall County and its citizens.”
OLD BUSINESS
North Marshall Water District
Kenneth Shadowen was approved upon recommendation to fill the board vacancy of Jerry Miller who resigned effective August 14, 2015.
Jonathan Creek Water District
The court approved the appointment of Jimmy Tubbs to the board.
Aurora-Ross Fire Protection District
The court accepted and approved their budget.
Senior Citizens
Judge Executive Chyrill Miller, County Treasurer Emily Martin and Melonie Chambers visited the Calloway County Senior Citizens Center and were impressed with their center’s activities and attendance.
The consensus after their visit was that Marshall County needs to hire someone in the position of activities director and met with Marshall County Director Mona Yarbrough who agreed that this was a good idea for the Marshall County Center.
Commissioner Dr. Rick Cocke, reiterated that he felt that was the consensus of the Marshall County senior citizens and that it is not in the best interest of the county to get into the business of preparing the meals at this time and have received confirmation from the McCracken County Senior Citizens Center that they will continue to prepare the Marshall County meals as long as needed.
Yarbrough agrees that taking the direction to wellness activities is the right way to go to improve services and attendance at the center.
Judge Miller expressed her wishes that community organizations and volunteers would support the Senior Citizens Center in their endeavors.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The court went into Executive Session concerning a personnel matter.
NEW BUSINESS
Ordinance #2015-04
The Alcohol, Beverage and Control (ABC) Ordinance first draft was read by County Attorney Jeff Edwards.
Assistant County Attorney, Jason Darnall, made comments to those in attendance concerning this reading, making it clear that the reading needs to be done even though changes will continue to be made, due to the 54 days allowed to get the ordinance passed or face a chance of losing out on licensing fees if not completed by that time.
Darnall stated the urgency to pass the ordinance within the time frame, feeling that the first reading needed to done at Tuesday’s meeting with no votes or approvals needed.
Darnall has worked on the initial draft since the vote passed and stated that it is a “work in progress” with more research and changes to be made, but due to the time constraints, an initial reading was beneficial.
A special-called meeting on the ordinance will take place on Thursday, August 13th at 9:30 am in the Fiscal Court room and is open to the public.
Bid Opening
Bids were opened for the purchase of a dump truck for the road department with the low bid of $89,186.32 from Tri-State International Trucks accepted.
Special Projects Crew truck
The court approved the advertisement for a special projects crew truck which has already been budgeted for.
Animal Shelter Report
As of 6-30-15 was 49, animals brought in by wardens 26, brought in by citizens 105, for a total taken in of 131. Seventy-two were adopted, 16 were reclaimed, 28 were euthanized which left animals in the pen as of 7-31-15 at 54 with adoption feed received of $1, 795.
The next regular meeting of the Fiscal Court will take place August 25, 2015.