Fiscal Court Recap: October 15, 2019

Darren Doyle, story:
The Edmonson County Fiscal Court met today, October 15, 2019 instead of the regular second Monday of the month due to Columbus Day, which is a holiday.

The court voted to new terms with Hart County Jail for an exclusive 4-year contract, which we reported in an earlier article. The court also heard from two residents who voiced their concerns over the county's purchase of a 12 acre tract for the purpose of a future animal shelter and other county uses.

Road Report: 
Edmonson County Road Foreman Greg Carroll reported that the final bit of blacktop work had been completed for the season. He said county crews paved more than 21 miles of Edmonson County roads in 2019, totaling more than $500,000 worth. Carroll added that several road and drainage tiles had been installed throughout the county. He also said that the road crew was preparing their equipment for upcoming ditch work as well as getting the snow plow equipment ready for the winter season. 

EM Director Report: EM Director Terry Massey reported three field fires, two combine-tractor fires, two recoveries to assist EMS, several vehicle accidents, and one missing person response since the last meeting.

Sheriff Report: Sheriff Shane Doyle reported that the sheriff's office will be short handed due to required training for some deputies. "When we’re staffed we’re already running thin, so when we run short on manpower, it’s even more difficult to do what we do, but we’ll do the best we can, he said.  He said he knew that his budget was already set but he asked magistrates to re-evaluate the budget for future and asked for either more overtime allowance, another deputy, or both.

Jailer Report: Jailer Hank Vincent reported 31 county inmates at Hart Co Jail, two on work release, one on home incarceration. He reported one county inmate at Butler County Jail.

County Attorney Report: County Attorney Greg Vincent updated the court on the Bailey Branch Road situation where the road was apparently damaged by a regional tree service contractor. Vincent said he spoke to the contractor and asked them to pay for the damages that are estimated at $4,000. The contractor asked if they would be allowed to repair the road themselves. Vincent said he saw no issue with that as long as the county road department could be involved in the process and oversee the work. Road Foreman Greg Carroll said he had no problem with that and Vincent said he would reach back out to the contractor.

County Clerk Kevin Alexander reported that in-house and absentee voting began last Tuesday for the upcoming general election, which is scheduled for Tuesday, November 5th.

Parks and Rec Report: Parks Director A.B. Webb reported that youth league soccer is winding down and is set to end in two weeks with youth basketball season coming up. He said he's closed the bathrooms for the season at HWY 70 park, and that one bathroom had been vandalized with a broken sink.

The court also voted to:

• Approve Treasurer’s October 2019 Cash Transfers.
• Approve Treasurer’s September Monthly Settlement Report.
• Approve Treasurer’s Quarterly Financial Statement.
• Approve Treasurer’s Cash Receipts Journal.
• Approve Treasurer’s Appropriation Condition Report.
• Acknowledge Dog Control’s September 2019, Communications/ Duty Status Report.
• Approve Sheriff’s September Fee Account Report, pending final audit.
• Approve Inmate Housing Contract with Hart County Jail.
• Approve County Clerk’s September 2019 MVAV Collection Report, pending final audit.
• Approve County Clerk’s September 2019 Deed Transfer Tax Report, pending final audit.
• Approve County Clerk’s September 2019 Excess Fees Report, pending final audit.
• Approve County Clerk’s September 2019 Delinquent Tax Collection Report, pending final audit.
• Approve Poll workers to receive $20 for training and to be paid $130 on Election Day.

The next fiscal court has been changed from Monday, October 28th to Wednesday, October 30th due to a scheduling conflict.