Fiscal Court Still Researching Conservation District Funding Options: No New Taxes Yet

Darren Doyle, story and photo:
The discussion for needed funding from the Edmonson County Conservation District continued today with no decision being made on whether or not a new tax will be coming to county taxpayers.

Judge Cannon said that $60K in funding is being requested by the office, which is an amount not feasible for the county's general fund to support, according to Cannon. The Judge Executive discussed three different options that the county could aid the office in their need for funding, which were  (1.) creating a new tax district where county taxpayers would see a Conservation District tax added to their annual property tax bill (2.) relocating the district office to county property to eliminate $6K worth of rent and utilities (3.) more funding from the county's general fund. Cannon also said a combination of the three could also be an option.

​Cannon discussed a potential problem with adding a new taxing district, which was that the fiscal court would no longer have the option of setting the rate of the tax. It would be in the hands of the conservation board from that point forward. "While that wouldn't be a problem now because of the good board members we have, what will it be in 20 years or 10 years, or even 5? They'll have the authority to increase that tax to whatever they say. The fiscal court will never again have any control over any of those increases."

After a brief discussion, it was recommended that Conservation District Secretary Barbara Johnson meet with the County Treasurer Tammi Willhite to see if there are other ways the office can work with the county in the budget and the matter would be tabled until the next meeting.

County offices also gave individual reports and updates concerning their specific areas.

Road Report: Interim County Road Foreman Greg Carroll said some county bridges had been closed, reopened, then closed again, while multiple road tiles had washed out due to recent flooding. He also said that various repairs had been completed on department vehicles. Pot hole repair work was currently in place and he asked that if anyone knew of pot holes in need of repair to please contact the road department. He also reported that paving would begin as soon as weather warmed a bit, hopefully around the first of April.

Emergency Management Report: EM Director Terry Massey discussed various classes he'd attended, along with listing certain response calls to a number of structure and house fires, a car in the water, and other county emergencies, for a total of 26 calls since last meeting. He also discussed FEMA grant possibilities for washed out road shoulders as well as other road and tile needs. “I think this opens the door to repair several roads in the county.” Grant money is based on population and needs. He also reported the Chalybeate warning storm siren is not working properly and will check on the repair.

Sheriff Report: Sheriff Shane Doyle spoke on recent training for new special deputies and constables that was conducted by the Sheriff's Office. He reported on a recent trip to Frankfort to hand over a couple dozen seized firearms that cannot be used by his office. Sheriff Doyle said when a firearm is seized, it must either get destroyed order or deemed for department use once the case is closed. The Sheriff said the KY State Police either destroy or sell the weapons, the money of which becomes available in the form of grant money. Doyle said his office has benefited from the grant in the past. Grants are used for body armor, tasers, and other similar equipment. 

Jailer Report: Jailer Hank Vincent reported that the county currently has 17 inmates housed in the Hart County Jail along with two more on home incarceration.

County Attorney Report: County Attorney Greg Vincent said he had been researching options for the fiscal court regarding passing local taxing districts and he summarized his research by saying that the court could basically pass whatever taxing district they deemed necessary. This report was given prior to today's Conservation District discussion.

​

Magistrates also voted to:

• Approve Resolution EC19-04, Lease agreement with Gary Logsdon in the amount of $1 for property used for the upcoming county wide cleanup which has yet to be announced.
• Approve March 2019 Cash Transfers.
• Approve Charles Bradley, Full-time Road Employee at $11.50 per hour, date of hire 3/4/2019
• Approve Mark Weisenberger, full-time Road employee at $11.50 per hour, date of hire 3/4/2019
• Approve Committee Meeting for hiring of Road Supervisor to meet March 25th at 8:00a.m.
• Approve discretionary funding request road list.
• Approve Amy Heath to be added as an authorized signor on accounts at Bank Of Edmonson and Limestone Bank.
• Approve Dog Control February 2019 Communications/ Duty Status Report
• Approve to waive rental fee of $60.00 for Active Day Chalybeate Car Show on May 18.
• Acknowledge 2019-2022 Edmonson County Fiscal Court Committees.
• Acknowledge Executive Order EC 19-05, Declaration of A Local State of Emergency.
• Acknowledge Proclamation Arbor Day, April 5th 2019
• Approve to waive rental fee of $60 for Humane Society Event Hoedown for Hounds at the Community Center, June 15 2019.
• Approve Sheriff’s February 2019 Monthly Fee Account Report, Pending Final Audit.
• Approve Sheriff’s February 2019 Property Taxes Report, Pending Final Audit.
• Approve Sheriff’s February 2019 Franchise Tax Report, Pending Final Audit.
• Approve Treasurer’s February 2019, Monthly Settlement Report.
• Approve County Clerk’s February 2019 MVAV Collection Report, Pending Final Audit.
• Approve County Clerk’s February 2019 Transfer Tax Report, Pending Final Audit.
• Approve County Clerk’s February 2019 Delinquent Tax Collection Report, Pending Final Audit.
• Approve County Clerk’s February 2019 Excess Fees Report, Pending Final Audit

The next fiscal court meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 25, 2019 at 9am.