Fiscal Court Recap: Final Meeting for Judge Cannon & Magistrates Rich, Brooks, and Tarter

Madison Doyle, story:
Edmonson County Fiscal Court met today, December 27, 2022 for the final time this year. Various county department heads gave their usual updated reports. Following this, the court moved into their very light agenda. There was nothing on the agenda that required any major discussions.

Today was the final fiscal court meeting for Judge Executive Wil Cannon, along with magistrates Edd Rich, Johnnie Brooks, and Charlie Tarter. Each of them had positive things to say about the fiscal court and other elected officials as they said their goodbyes, and also gave advice to the newly elected magistrates and officials who will be sworn in tomorrow.

"It has been a pleasure serving my district and Edmonson County over the last 18 and half years," said District Four Magistrate Edd Rich. "My advice to the new people coming in would be to make decisions with your heart; if you follow your heart you will do a good job."

"Over the last two and a half years, I have learned a lot," said District Three Magistrate Charlie Tarter. "The Judge's office has been easy to work with, and it's been a pleasure to work with all of you and for the people of this good county."

Judge Will Cannon said he has served in various roles in the county for the last several years, and 2023 will be the first year where he is not fulfilling one of those roles. "It's been a privilege and an honor to serve this county in all of those roles over the many years,and I appreciate all of you," Cannon said. "I know we don't always see eye to eye on everything, but we aren't meant to. This is supposed to be a checks and balances thing, and I think we have done a pretty good job at that."

He also added some advice to everyone new coming into office for the new year. "There are some people who sit on Facebook and wait to see something that we have done that they don't like. I call them social media trolls. Do NOT make decisions based on what a social media troll has to say, because it doesn't matter what you do, they won't like it anyways. The people who keep their head down, go to work Monday through Friday, come home and take care of their families, and then go to church on Sunday...if they have something to say...that is who you should listen to." Cannon thanked all of the magistrates for their hard work, and wished good luck to those coming in.

The court agreed to:

• Approve Sheriff Bond #3983443, effective 1/1/2023.
• Approve County Clerk Bond #2120723, effective 1/2/2023.
• Approve County Attorney Bond #4636444, effective 1/2/2023.
• Approve Judge Executive Bond #4636443, effective 1/2/2023.
• Approve Jailer Bond #4636442, effective 1/2/2023.
• Approve Fiscal Court Bond #3983444, effective 1/2/2023.
• Approve Sheriff’s November Fee Account Report, pending final audit.
• Approve Sheriff’s November Property Tax Closeout, pending final audit.
• Approve Sheriff’s November Franchise Tax Closeout, pending final audit.
• Acknowledge Opioid Settlement Fund Estimated Payments
• Approve Treasurer’s October Monthly Settlement Report.
• Approve Treasurer’s November Monthly Settlement Report.
• Approve December Cash Transfers.
• Approve to hire Paxton Sowders as a Seasonal Employee at $15.00 per hour, effective 12/27/22.
• Table the Bald Knob Road Contracts until next meeting.

The swearing in ceremony for the new magistrates, Judge Executive, and County Attorney will take place tomorrow at 9 am. The next fiscal court meeting will be a special meeting held to approve to rehire all employees, approve appointments, and bank signatures on January 3, 2023 at 9 am. The regular monthly Edmonson County Fiscal Court business meeting will be held January 9, 2023 at 9 am.