Fiscal Court Recap: July 9, 2018

Judge Executive Wil Cannon and the rest of fiscal court discusses items at the July 9, 2018 meeting.

​Moriah Peterson, story and photos:
One of two annual night meetings for Fiscal Court was held on July 9, 2018 in the upstairs court room. There was a good crowd attending, including Boy Scout Troop #597 and the ECMS Academic team.

County Road Foreman Ray Page reported road work in district four and five are complete and work in district three began Monday morning.  He said mowers are heading towards Poplar Springs and after servicing the mowers, crews will head to the south side of the county. 

Sheriff Shane Doyle announced that all full time deputies are now in new vehicles.  he added that the mobile computer/printers for the vehicles have been received, which was purchased using seized drug money. He also said the sheriff’s office was recently able to recover a stolen four wheeler from a local couple. Finally, Sheriff Doyle announced that J.B Hines is now the sole district judge due to Judge John McCarthy now serving a new district.

Deputy Jailer Todd Vincent reported that there are currently 16 county inmates lodged in the Hart County Jail, along with one on home incarceration. There was one inmate hospital visit in June. He said the jailer vehicle is still overheating and they are unsure of the cause.

Parks and Rec program administrator John Kiernan shared the success of Freedom Fest 2018 and thanked all who helped make it possible. He announced they have plans for even more games next year. He said that Parks and Rec will be hosting a movie night on August 10th at the Chalybeate Park. Concessions will be set up and the soccer board will have games and be available to answer questions about the upcoming soccer season. He added that the basketball board will be having a public meeting for re-elections at 12 pm August 4th at the Parks and Rec office. Parks and Rec Director A.B. Webb  also addressed the high water bill the city received and stated it was due to a bathroom faucet being left on after Freedom Fest.

Several attended the night meeting on July 9th.

​Old business included a Scott Waste service update regarding surrounding counties. Treasurer Tammi Willhite called several surrounding counties and gathered information regarding trash pickup and pricing.

Butler County uses Green River Waste at $22.00 per month while Grayson County uses ten different companies for trash collections. She said the treasurer of Grayson County personally uses Pat Sanitation at $18 per month. Whillhite said the trash collection companies pay an annual fee of $50 to the county along with an annual report, which is a net profit report; and the county earns .5% off their net profit earnings.

Metcalfe County uses five different companies.  She said the treasurer of Metcalfe County personally uses Mid-State Waste out of Glasgow and pays $18.00 per month. The trash collection companies pay an annual fee of $25.00, which is the only benefit for the county.

She said that a message was left for Barren County solid waste but a call wasn’t returned. The Barren County Treasurer personally uses an individual who charges her $15.00 per month. Todd County used Republic Services up until 6/30/18 at $41.00 per month. At the time of the call, Todd County was currently working with a company called Waste Industries to form a contract.

Hart County has county trash collection and charge their residents $15.00 per month. They pick up once a week, using nine trucks, sixteen employees and utilizes twelve to fifteen inmates as well. They do not have a mandatory trash collection in the county but they do have 87% participation rate. They still run at a profit and have not had a rate increase in ten years. Their population is 18,400 in Hart County. For residents 65 years and older their rate is $14 per month, free trash collection for their fire departments. They use the landfill in Glasgow and pay them $30,000 monthly.

​Judge Will Cannon stated that he reports all complaints to Scott Waste Service and believes once those issues are resolved Scott Waste might be the best option for Edmonson County.

​Boy Scout Troop #597 was also acknowledged during the meeting. They have been organized as a group of scouts longer than past groups in the county.  Their attendance at last night's meeting helped the boys toward a merit badge they are trying to obtain.

Boy Scout Troop #597

Fiscal Court approved a class action lawsuit towards the federal government for money owed to the county in 2015, 2016 and 2017. The county will be joining others across the country for "payments in lieu of taxes." According to County Attorney Greg Vincent, There is a federal statute that grants certain municipalities, counties, or cities monies because states cannot tax the federal government.

Edmonson County is supposed to receive payments because the county cannot collect property taxes from lands surrendered to Mammoth Cave National Park. The county will not have to pay court or attorney fees and the money collected will be evenly distributed amongst the counties the federal government owes.  

Rhonda Clemmons updated the court regarding Trail Town Day scheduled for Sept 22nd. She also mentioned anyone who would like to volunteer at the Edmonson County booth at the state fair can contact her to schedule a day. She also reported that County Attorney Greg Vincent has drafted a letter to send out to vacation rental owners in Edmonson County who are not paying their room tax as required by a county ordinance.  

Vickie Walker shared with the court that anyone who goes to the Hot Rods game on August 8th and brings two cans of food will get discounted tickets for $5.00. The canned food collected will go to the Edmonson County Senior Pantry.

Barbara Fitzhugh, from St. John's Thrift store announced that on July 26th from 9-11am there will be produce giveaway for any resident in Edmonson County on the Courthouse lawn.

​The next Fiscal Court meeting will be on July 23rd at 9am in the upstairs court room.