ECHS Youth Leadership Attend Fiscal Court

The first full Fiscal Court meeting of 2015 not only welcomed the ECHS Youth Leadership Group, but also the new Judge Executive, County Attorney, Sheriff, County Clerk, and two new magistrates in their normal county government capacities. The purpose of the students' attendance today was to learn more about the county government as well as the purpose of each county office. Most all county officials addressed the youth today, explaining their positions and giving advice to the leaders of tomorrow. 

Above: County officials stand with the ECHS Youth Leadership at today's Fiscal Court meeting.

Today, the court also:
Heard from W. McKinley Morgan, upon recommendation from Jailer Hank Vincent, about various equipment and available technology from Southeast Kentucky Monitoring, a company that specializes in home-incarceration. Mr. Morgan discussed the advantages of allowing many employed non-violent offenders to be under monitored arrest instead of jail. Jailer Vincent explained that the company's services would be funded by the offenders, and could actually be profitable for the county, instead of the $25 per day that the county pays for each prisoner behind bars. 

• Approved Fiscal Court December Financial Report
• Approved Judges' Quarterly Report
• Re-appointed County Treasurer for a 4 year term, effective 7/1/15
• Approved attendance to KCJEA Winter Conference, Feb 4-6
• Approved 2015 County Budget Reporter Maintenance Agreement with Harper's Consultant
• Approved 2015 Computer Knights Maintenance Agreement on computer systems
• Approved Sheriff's December property tax, excess fees, and fire protection tax reports, pending final audit
• Acknowledged Community Center December Financial Report
• Approved payment of newly elected officials conference expenses 

Sheriff Shane Doyle also gave the sheriff's report. He said that newly hired deputy Jordan Jones has been approved to begin training at the Criminal Justice Training Academy in Richmond, KY in August. He also noted the difference in certain categories from 2013-14. There was a 15% increase in overall calls for service, 20% rise in criminal cases, 25% decrease in civil summons, and a whopping 150% increase in both arrests and EPO's. He also said that soon each officer will have a complete mobile data station in each patrol vehicle, with the ability to have online access to records and other info anywhere in the county.

Judge Executive Wil Cannon listens to magistrates as County Attorney J.B. Hines makes notes.

County Attorney J.B. Hines reported that the excess funds from the office of the previous county attorney had been successfully transferred with no problems. He also stated that his office has also hired a brand new Assistant County Attorney, Leia Knee. Ms. Knee will assist the office in a variety of ways with focus on juvenile cases and child support cases. Hines stated that this would be a tremendous asset the his office as well as the county. 

Just before adjournment, Judge Cannon allowed each student with the ECHS Youth Leadership to stand and introduce themselves. He thanked them and explained his role as Judge Executive as well as giving them some good advice. "As the possible future leaders of our county and communities, becoming an effective leader means you have to put other people's needs before your own," he said. He also said to make honesty a priority. He noted that neither he nor anyone else was perfect, but it's about striving to always do right and do good. He closed by saying "Always be honest in everything you do. There's never a right time to do the wrong thing."

Darren Doyle, 
Edmonson Voice
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