Edmonson County Fiscal Court Discusses Short Agenda At First Ever Virtual Meeting

One of several screens of participants from today's virtual fiscal court meeting.

$120K Added To County Jail Budget In Amendment

Darren Doyle, story:
The fiscal court met today via the Zoom virtual meeting app and discussed an extremely light agenda; one that was described as "only the necessary items."

All five county magistrates participated in the virtual meeting; three by video conference and two by telephone conference. Also participating were the judge executive, county treasurer, the sheriff, county clerk, county attorney, and a handful visitors.

The main point discussed and voted upon was the first reading of a jail budget amendment, which required another $120K added to the highest-ever $487K jail budget amount for Edmonson County fiscal court. The county's jail budget has more than doubled over 5 years, according to Judge Executive Wil Cannon and is due to rising jail costs and more prisoners incarcerated. The amendment brought the current jail budget to $607,700; an amount for a county that doesn't even have a jail.

No county offices gave reports as they normally do; however, they are not required at the meetings. Most other counties have those reports submitted at their meetings and do not have them in-person.

The court also voted to:​

• Approve Ordinance EC20-12, Jail Budget Amendment, First Reading.
• Approve Treasurer’s March Monthly Settlement Report
• Approve Judge’s Quarterly Financial Report
• Approve Terry Massey pay adjustment from $381.33 to $410.00 per pay period.
• Approve Sheriff’s March Monthly Fee Account Report, pending final audit.
• Approve Sheriff’s March Property Tax Report, pending final audit.
• Approve Sheriff’s March Fire Protection Report, pending final audit.
• Approve Sheriff’s March Franchise Tax Report, pending final audit.
• Approve KACO Health Insurance Rate Renewals for FY20/21.
• Approve Leitchfield Exterminating Contract for Health Department location.
• Approve County Clerk’s March MVAV Collection Report, pending final audit.
• Approve County Clerk’s March Deed Transfer Tax Report, pending final audit.
• Approve County Clerk’s March Excess Fee Account Report, pending final audit.
• Approve County Clerk’s March Delinquent Tax Collection Report, pending final audit.
• Approve to accept County Road Department Update Status Report.
• Acknowledge Extension Board FY21 budget.

​Judge Cannon announced that the next fiscal court meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 27th at 9am, and will also be held virtually, in the same manner as today's meeting.