SALYERSVILLE – The Magoffin County Fiscal Court met in regular session on Tuesday, discussing ongoing projects and passing budget amendments in the last meeting of 2020.
Under fund transfers, the fiscal court agreed to transfer (all from the general fund) $8,082.50 to the sinking fund, $40,000 to the jail fund, $25,000 to the 911 fund, and $20,000 to LGEA.
Magoffin County Judge-Executive Matt Wireman noted to the court that it is his understanding that the jail board recently had a motion come up to increase the per-day fee to $50 (up from $25), but the motion was voted down. The move would have doubled the county’s jail costs, which already runs between $30,000 and $40,000 each month.
“I know they’re struggling financially, too, but we can’t stand for that,” Wireman said. “We can’t close the county down to keep the jail solvent.”
The fiscal court held the first reading of budget amendments to the 2020/2021, to keep the budget up-to-date with the current spending.
The court acknowledged and approved the 2021 clerk’s budget, which is the same as last year’s, amendments to the sheriff’s 2020 budget as they close up the year, and the sheriff’s 2021 budget.
Deputy Judge Kevin Howard reported they have made a lot of progress putting up road signs throughout the county, with over 200 recently put up, 168 more ordered and more scheduled to be ordered soon.
Howard said they have cameras up at the courthouse and community center. New seals have been put on the outside doors to the courthouse, where he said they had been losing a lot of heat and he hopes the change will help them on the utility bills.
At the community center, Howard said they have four new picnic tables between the DAV and Big Sandy sections, as well as more shelters at the horse park.
As an update on the ongoing bridge replacements, Howard said the Sammy Howard box culvert has been installed and the Jerry Rice Lane Bridge will be delivered soon. They are in the process of ordering box culverts at Blanton Branch, Charles Bailey (on Burning Fork), and Little Bear (off Bear Branch).
Under new business, the court approved a transportation funding resolution, to close the Clinton Wireman Road (per the petition by the landowner), and the updated county road list.
Wireman explained that he has routes 542, 1502 and 378 on the Big Sandy Area Development Districts’ lists, hoping to be able to secure funding to extend county water in those areas.
With the term expiring for a water board member, Wireman motioned for the appointment of Jerry Borders to the board and the court approved.
With the pending vacancy expected at 911, they agreed to hire Will Bingham as a dispatcher, provided he meets all the requirements, and Jacob Skaggs as a part-time substitute dispatcher for 911. Wireman noted that with staffing being affected by quarantines, they have been short-staffed at dispatch, but hopes the two new hires will help alleviate their schedules. He also noted that they are working to secure funding for mobile 911, which currently goes to KSP dispatch. He explained that everyone pays for the service on cell phone bills, but the money and services are currently going out of the county, but if they can get the service moved to the local dispatch, the county will receive that funding and he would be able to hire more dispatchers.
The court commended people throughout the community displaying Christmas lights, making the county more inviting.
District 1 Magistrate Pernell “Buck” Lemaster said, “It gives us papaws with little girls something to do, driving around and showing off all of this.”
They also noted that the city’s banners and Ritt Mortimer’s speaker playing Christmas music downtown all makes the community inviting and stated they appreciated the work everyone has done.
The December 15 meeting was the last regularly scheduled meeting for the fiscal court in 2020, with the next meeting tentatively slated for January 19.
