Jail budget gets increase despite deficit
The Fiscal Court met for the monthly meeting Tuesday March 21, 2017. Those in attendance were County Judge John Osborn, Mike Hogan County Attorney, Sheriff Garrett Roberts, Chris Jobe County Clerk, Morris Howard Magistrate, John Lemaster Magistrate, Earl Boggs Magistrate and Rick Blackburn Magistrate. The meeting was called to order after the pledge and opening prayer.
The court then tackled a 22 item agenda including:
⦁ Motion by John Lemaster, second by Morris Howard to approve the minutes of the February 21, 2017 meeting, all were in agreement
⦁ Motion by Rick Blackburn, second by John Lemaster to approve the 2nd reading of the Budget Amendment #3
⦁ Motion by John Lemaster, second by Earl Boggs to approve 1st reading of the Budget Amendment #4
⦁ Motion by Earl Boggs, second by Rick Blackburn to approve the Treasurer’s Request and approve the bills
⦁ Motion by Rick Blackburn, second by John Lemaster to approve the treasurer’s report. Receipts from all funds $357,782.82.
⦁ Motion by Earl Boggs, second by John Lemaster to allow Eastpark to continue to keep the ad valorem and tangible property taxes.
⦁ Motion by John Lemaster, second by Rick Blackburn to approve the Jail Fund Budget for FY 2017-2018. The total jail fund will be $474,089.00 which is less than 1% increase from this FY of $439,000. The increase comes in spite of a $200,000 deficit announced in October 2016.
⦁ Motion by John Lemaster, second by Earl Boggs to approve the 1st reading of the Ordinance allowing pipes onto County Road Entrances. County Attorney Mike Hogan said he will modify the ordinance to read that easements on County Road entrances be approved by the Judge Executive and Court
⦁ Motion by Rick Blackburn, second by Earl Boggs to accept the 2016 Yearly Financial Status of the Sheriff. Total receipts $610,826.25 and total expenditures $584,381.03 which has a positive balance of $26,445.22 that will be returned to the county. Report is subject to audit.
⦁ Motion by Earl Boggs, second by John Lemaster to approve the Resolution for Contract between Professional Services and Lawrence Co. Fiscal Court and FIVCO
⦁ Motion by Earl Boggs, second by John Lemaster to approve the agreement between LC Fiscal Court and Legend Outfitters to operate a store at the Lawrence Co. Beach.
⦁ Motion By Earl Boggs, second by Rick Blackburn to approve the Proclamation hereby making April Spring Clean Up Month
Two of the county’s garbage haulers were present again asking for a $2 dollar raise for household garbage collected. The court refused to allow them to raise their rates at a recent meeting. Once again the court was reluctant to pass on any increase at this time to consumers.
Ron Thompson of Thompson Sanitation said the haulers can’t make a profit without a raise since the landfill in Boyd Co. raised its rates at the first of the year.
“My costs have increased from $27 per ton to $34 per ton and I can’t make it without an increase,” Thompson told the court.
After an open discussion the Fiscal Court set an agenda item for the April 16th meeting at the request of Morris Howard making it mandatory that all six garbage haulers attend with the hope of finding a compromise.
There being no audience comments the meeting was adjourned.
