Fiscal Court votes down jailer raise

March 12--WHITLEY CITY -- Friday night's agenda for the McCreary County Fiscal Court was fairly light but not routine as members continued to deal with the fallout from closing the local jail last year.

Several items pertained to the jail, the biggest of which was the Jailer's salary. Certain constitutional offices -- such as Jailer and Judge-Executive -- have their salaries determined by the state based on county population and other factors.

Because the jail closed in the middle of his term, Jailer Tony Ball was entitled to keep his salary ($79,000 plus benefits). However, in October, the court voted to establish a new Chief Transport Officer position for the next term at a base salary of $28,000 per year.

Ball's relationship with Fiscal Court, tenuous before the jail closed due to budget clashes, has steadily deteriorated since he stopped transporting last spring due to injury. Later disputes involved control of JailTracker software needed to disburse commissary funds as well as transport scheduling -- both of which ultimately landed with the Office of Judge-Executive.

On Friday, Judge-Executive Doug Stephens advised court members that his office had been notified by the Kentucky Department for Local Government that Jailer's salary was scheduled to increase by approximately $2,300. However, after consulting further with DLG attorneys, Judge Stephens told the court that they could opt not to increase the salary since the jail is closed. He noted that the salary could not be further reduced.

Magistrate Roger Phillips moved not to allow the $2,300 increase with a second from Stan Cox. The motion was approved on a 4-0 vote, with Magistrate Frankie Ball abstaining (as he does from all jail-related votes) because he is Jailer Ball's brother.

Prior to that vote, the court discussed other inmate-transport related issues. The court approved removing Jerry Spradlin and Barry Strunk from the transport officer list due to "limited availability" as well as Jerry Privett by his request (he withdrew last month from the Jailer's race due to health reasons).

Phillips questioned why the officers were being removed if they are only paid when they actually transport. Stephens responded that a small cost was involved with uniforms and keys.

Hired to fill those positions were Sherry Anderson-Slaven, Cody Lee Stephens and Cecil Floyd Powers at $12.50 per hour at a maximum of 24 hours per week. Both motions were made by Stan Cox with seconds from Jason Mann.

The court also approved the purchase of a backup transport vehicle not to exceed $5,000.

Courthouse Security Officer Debra Moses, the longest-serving Transport Officer and a candidate for Jailer, has been using her own vehicle with the county furnishing insurance and fuel reimbursements. During "Citizen Participation," Moses asked if her worn tires could be replaced due to the risk of liability.

Judge Stephens responded that the county cannot legally provide maintenance and doesn't do so for other officials such as the four constables.

Citizen Participation also included questions from Jailer candidate Harvey Meadows who reiterated his request for candidates to be able to walk through the old jail. Judge Stephens responded that he is awaiting a call from the Department of Corrections so a representative may be present.

Meadows also asked about illegal dumping as well as how to improve garbage collection participation, which currently stands at roughly half the county. The court had discussed several months ago the possibility of attaching the garbage bill to a utility. At that time, the state had advised counties to hold off on such action until the resolution of a pending lawsuit.

That lawsuit is still ongoing. However, Phillips also opined that McCreary County could not take such action as long as garbage collection is handled through a private franchise.

"It seems like the fairest way," Meadows said. "They do it in cities."

"But they [cities] are collecting the garbage themselves," Phillips responded.

Pine Knot resident Tim Freels also expressed concern over speeding on Perkins Lane. Judge Stephens noted that the county is not allowed to install speed bumps but noted the issue may be resolved through several departments working together.

In other business:

--Judge Stephens signed a proclamation declaring American Red Cross Month.

--The court approved the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's Rural Secondary Road recommendations: 6.229 miles of Williamsburg Street (KY 478) and 1.8 miles of Osborne Creek Road (KY 1470).

--The court approved a vehicle trade between McCreary EMS and the Search and Rescue Squad.

--The court heard department updates for Tourism Director Tara Chaney, EMS/911 Director Jimmy Barnett, and Webmaster Adam Phillips.

The next fiscal court meeting will be April 4 at 7 p.m.

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