Marshall County Fiscal Court held a second reading of Ordinance #2017-04 pertaining to a new speed limit of 25 miles per hour on Steeple Chase Lane and Church Hill Lane at Friday’s meeting. The court approved the Ordinance, with comments from Sheriff Kevin Byars that they will give drivers on those two roads about a month to get used to the new speed limit before enforcing.
The court approved the earthquake insurance policy renewal quote for 2017-2018 through KACO (Kentucky Association of Counties), a $53,312 premium with a $20 million limit and $25,000 deductible which the court agreed is expensive but worth it in the case of an event.
The WAC PAC (Women of the Aurora Community Park Activities, Inc.) lease date to renew is June 11th. The court agreed to remain in the lease agreement which covers events and activities held at venues that are the property of the county. Plans are to develop a new lease agreement and make it consistent to all county properties.
Administrative Code Ordinance #2017-05 first reading was held, with changes highlighted by County Attorney Jeff Edwards. One of those changes comes under Travel Expenses in Section 5.51 A (3) which has been proposed to state:
The county offers a corporate rental program through Enterprise and county owned vehicles for travel. These methods are preferred. Department Heads and/or Appointing Authority may offer to pay mileage at the Federal Government Rate to use a personal vehicle if it is deemed more cost effective. The Department Head and/or Appointing Authority may also reimburse the employee an amount equal to a vehicle rental if the employee still chooses to travel in his/her personal vehicle.
This passage of the Administrative Code came under scrutiny by Commissioner Rick Cocke at the March 21st and again discussed at the April 11th Fiscal Court meetings. Cocke wanted to make an amendment to that section at that time to allow employees representing the county and traveling on the county’s behalf to choose either the federal rate or the substitute vehicle.
Vouchers for travel in his personal vehicle by Cocke were denied by Judge Neal in accordance with the Administrative Code. A vote to make the amendment to the Administrative Code was taken at that time and died in a 2-2 tie.
Cocke questioned how it will be calculated as to which is more cost effective saying, each situation is different with court members coming from different areas of the county. Cocke also said someone is going to have to make the determination and calculate as to which is more cost effective, to which Judge Executive Kevin Neal said, “it’s not that hard” and they are already doing these calculations which he said “don’t take that long”.
“Being cost effective is the objective”, Neal asked of Cocke to which he replied “correct”. Neal then suggested to use the state rate and not the federal government rate if that is the objective. Cocke said he feels the federal government rate is fair.
Neal said something will be prepared before the second reading and approval of the Administrative Code at the next meeting.
In other business:
• A bid advertisement for bridge decking on Coldwater Lane was approved by the court.
• A letter from Marcia Sirls, Chairman of the South Marshall Fire Department Board, recommending the appointment of Mona Freeman to another term on the board which the court approved.
• Budget Amendment Ordinance #2017-06 was read by County Treasurer Emily Martin.
• An Intrafund Transfer of $500 was approved.
• Payment of the bills was approved subject to any possible exclusion of any bills not signed yet by Commissioner Cocke.
• Jeff Edwards made a clarification of a comment made in a meeting with the City of Benton, “that correspondence he had received threatened to file suit” and after reviewing, said the mention of a lawsuit was his response due to the natural progression of things when terms of an agreement can not be made.
• Court went into Executive Session over a personnel issue and upon returning said they will move forward after council drafts an agreement.
The next meeting of the Fiscal Court will be June 20th.