Fiscal Court Recap: County Agrees To Cosign $20K Loan Amount For Community Action

Total Loan Is For Half Million, Edmonson County Cosigned Portion is $20,000

Dr. Donald Butler, Interim Executive Director of Community Action of Southern KY speaks at Edmonson County fiscal court.

Darren Doyle, story and photo:
Edmonson County Fiscal Court voted to cosign a portion of a loan for Community Action of Southern Kentucky. Each county in the ten-county BRADD area is being asked to cosign a portion of a $500,000 loan in accordance to each county's population of services provided by CASOKY. Edmonson County's portion is $20K of the full amount.

Warren County, for example, was being asked for a much higher cosigned amount of 43%, or $215,000. CASOKY provides public transportation in Warren County, known as "GO BG Transit."

The non-profit organization is borrowing the funds as a result of what board members said was poor management in the past, which has caused the shortfall. Former Executive Director Melissa Weaver was hired as CASOKY's in December 2014 and remained in the role until she was replaced in 2018 by current director, Dr. Donald Butler, who now serves as interim director.

Dr. Butler spoke to the fiscal court today and discussed the plan to pay back the money, which included the sale of properties and fund raising efforts. County Attorney Greg Vincent asked if Dr. Butler ever provided a written plan to the court as previously requested, or if he could do so today. Dr. Butler said he had no written plan to present but he thought the plan was understood by him going on record today and explaining a portion of that plan in person. He said his word was good enough to stand and that the CASOKY Executive Board would see that the plan is carried out in the event he is replaced by another director.

Currently, CASOKY serves Edmonson County by providing heating bill assistance, commodities, delivered meals to seniors, and the head start program.

Judge Cannon said he was in favor of taking a chance on the program and cosigning for the $20K worth. As the loan balance drops, the liability for the county drops as well. Magistrate Mark Meeks made the motion to approve the resolution and Mag. Edd Rich seconded. The motion passed unanimously. 

Various county offices gave reports to the court: 

Road Report: County Road Supervisor Greg Carroll reported that all four bridges that are flood prone in the county had been under water earlier in the week and that currently Willie Webb road is the only one still under water. He said crews had been working on ditching and mowing some right-of-ways throughout the county and there were several drainage tiles to be installed. He also reported the county's new patching machine/training for its operation will be underway soon.

Sheriff's Report: Sheriff Shane Doyle reported a grand jury meeting yesterday, and that county inmate numbers were  going up soon. He said his office presented a shooting (attempted murder) and the recent death of baby due to a drowning. He also gave report on his recently injured shoulder, which resulted in a torn labrum after an altercation with a subject on the run. He's undergone physical therapy for 7 weeks but a shoulder specialist says surgery is likely in January. He would likely be in a sling for 4-6 weeks, and 2 months of very limited physical activity. He said this would be a major problem with the short staffing he's already facing.

He also presented a proposed budget for 2020, which includes funding requests for a new deputy and raises for his existing personnel. He discussed some of the needs and other options, and mentioned several costs that his office cannot control, such as an 89% increase in retirement over the past 5 years and a 95% increase in health insurance. He also noted that 26% of the total county budget went to fund Wil Cannon's last year as sheriff, while the general fund is only covering 23% of Doyle's. He said it was unfair for his deputies to put in the work they do and not get paid what they deserve. “They work hard, they need to get paid," he said. His budget will be voted upon later.

The Jailer Report showed 24 county inmates currently housed at Hart County Jail.

Magistrates also voted to:

• Approve Ordinance EC 19-27, Edmonson County Road System, First Reading.
• Approve Re-Appointment of Barry Rich to the Water Board for a 4 year term, effective February 13th, 2020.
• Approve all KACO, KCJEA, KMCA, DLG and ATVG Conferences for 2020.
• Approve all KACO and DLG training events for 2020.
• Approve to Re-hire Shawn Kinser, part time seasonal at $12.50 per hour. Date of re-hire 12/23/19.
• Approve County Clerk’s 2020 Budget.
• Approve Resolution EC 19-31, KACO Financing Lease for new vehicle at Sheriff’s Department.
• Approve Kentucky Board of EMS 2020/2021 $10,000 Grant Application.

​The next fiscal court meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 13, 2020 at 9:00 a.m.