Salary cap request causes unrest in court

At the Spencer County Fiscal Court meeting on Nov. 7, Spencer County Sheriff Scott Herndon requested for a salary cap amendment due to "increased costs for department operations as mandated by the Kentucky Legislature for increases in required training, retirement and accrued payout for a long time employee upon resignation."

The Sheriff's office requested an increase in the Deputies Salary Cap set in January, 2022, by an amount of $85,000.

A motion "to increase the 2022 Sheriff's Deputies Salary Cap by $85,000" was made and seconded, but during the voting process, questions of responsibility and proper money management was brought up.

When it was time for District 4 Campbranch magistrate Jerry Moody, he said that he needed more time to think it over. That is when the discussions started.

"I asked for the right amount in the beginning. I knew that what you guys gave me was not going to enough," said Herndon during the vote. "I am good through November, but come December, I will have to either cut services, or make some layoffs," he added.

District 2 Waterford magistrate Tim Brewer stated that in his opinion, "The 15% across the board raises that you asked for and got is what took the money that we gave you."

The vote was currently tied at 2-2 (District 5 Little Mount/Mount Eden magistrate Brett Beaverson was absent) and it was up to J. Moody to break the tie.

"$85,000 is a lot of money. You should have looked forward to what you had to spend. I am disappointed," said J. Moody right before he voted. "I might make some people mad, but I don't want it on my conscience if protection is going to be cut," he added.

With J. Moody's 'yes' vote, the motion carried 3-2 to give the additional $85,000 to the sheriff's department, with Brewer and District 1 Taylorsville magistrate Mike Moody voting 'No.'

AGENDA ITEMS

Planning & Zoning

Julie Sweazy with Planning & Zoning presented three first readings.

The first was the application of Carl & Karri Owen and Selina R. Goode requesting a zone change from R-1, residential to RM, residential on tract 4A1 consisting of 0.19 acres and RM, residential to R-1, residential on tract 4B-1 consisting of 0.19 acres for properties located at 425 & 431 Normandy Road.

The second was the application of Richard and Rita Sweazy from R-1, residential & AG-1, agricultural to AG-2, agricultural on a 5.002 acre tract of land located at 740 Townhill Road.

The third was the application of Richard & Rita Sweazy requesting a zone change from R-1, residential to B-1, commercial on a 1.007 acre tract of land located at 740 Townhill Road.

While Sweazy was at the podium, she requested the purchase of a 26" x 21" plat scanner to digitize the drawings in her office. The motion to make the purchase with a quote that Sweazy gave the court died due the lack of a second. M. Moody suggested that she come back to the court with multiple quotes at a future meeting date.

EM/EMS director report

EMS Director Chris Limpp gave an update on the new ambulances that were ordered, stating that they were scheduled to be inspected next week, and should be in his possession in a few weeks.

Safety Committee report

Brewer informed the court that there was an incident with an EMS driver who backed into the door bay for the second time, and there is an investigation going on, and it should be remedied soon.

Veterans committee report

Brewer reminded the court that there will be a Veterans Day parade with the schools, followed by a ceremony at the veterans memorial in downtown Taylorsville.

OLD BUSINESS

Addendum to ARPA MOU Mt. Eden Fire District

Mt. Eden Fire District requested approval of an "Addendum" to the Memorandum of understanding that was approved for distribution of ARPA funds for the purchase of needed equipment.

They requesting the purchase of an additional length of fire hose "the cost of which when added to equipment already purchased does not exceed the [previously] approved total expenditure of $29,878."

The court voted to approve the addendum, with minor changes, 5-0.

Elimination of E911 Surcharge Ordinance

This was the first reading of an ordinance "relating to the repeal of Ordinance No. 3 Series, 1990 pertaining to 911 Emergency Telephone Service, enacted on the 21st day of December 1990 whereby a Basic 911 Emergency Telephone Service was established including a fee for the 911 service to each local exchange telephone subscriber."

A second reading of the ordinance is scheduled to be read at the next meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

AG extension board appointments

Linda Jeffiers was appointed by county judge executive John Riley to a second 3-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2023, and ending Dec. 31, 2025, and Greg Murphy was appointed to a new three-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2023, and ending Dec. 31, 2025.

The motion to approve Riley's appointments to the Spencer County Ag Extension District Board of Directors was passed by all.

Tourism commission appointment

The Taylorsville-Spencer County Tourism Commission has a jointly appointed position by judge Riley and Taylorsville Mayor Matt Douglas representing hotels/motels that is currently filled by Erin Tobbe.

Tobbe notified the commission that she is resigning her position which expires Dec. 31, 2022; and former commissioner Stacey Koon has expressed her desire to once again serve on the commission.

Koon would serve the remainder of the existing term ending Dec. 31, 2022, and would be appointed to a new three-year term ending Dec. 31, 2025. representing Spencer County Hotels/Motels.

The motion to approve the joint appointment was passed by all.

EMS requests

Narcan purchase request — EMS requested approval to purchase 70 doses of Narcan (seven boxes of 10 doses) which will be paid by a reimbursement grant up to $1,500.00. Limpp explained that 80-90 doses were used last year, and on some cases, more than one dose is used on a patient.

The motion to make the purchase was passed by all.

Tire purchase request - EMS also requested approval to purchase four tires from Daugherty's Body Shop and Service Center for the expedition at a cost of $921.02.

The motion to make the purchase was passed by all.

Waterford Park Improvements

Brewer asked permission to delay this item until the next meeting, and his request was granted.

Road department requests

The road department was in need of seasonal items, to be ready for the upcoming winter weather.

Salt pumps — There was a request for the purchase of 10 Delavan Diaphram 12v,60PSI 2.1GPM, and four Delavan Diaphram 12v, 100PSI, 7.0GPM pumps from PW Mall for the replacement of road treatment equipment at a total cost of $1,325.36.

Brine tanks — There was a request for the purchase of two 2,100 gallon vertical storage tanks from Kentucky Tank to replace the old storage tanks at a total cost of $4,328.76.

Haul contract — The road department has been using cinders for treatment of the county roads for years, mostly from Jewish Hospital, University of Kentucky Campus and Hospital, LG&E, and Bartons Distilleries. Now they are hauling out of Jim Beam Distilleries in Boston, KY.

The road department requested the use of a contract hauler for emergency use, in case there are truck problems, and they still need to fill their obligations with Jim Beams Distilleries.

Two contract haulers gave bids on their services. Quality Topsoil Farms Inc. offered $375 a load, with Klempner Excavating submitted a bid at $390 per load. The road department recommended the use of both contractors, if needed, in the case that one contractor is not able to assist when needed or called on.

Seasonal help — There was a request to hire Shawn Pike part-time at a rate of $16 an hour, pending background check and drug testing.

All requests by the road department were approved by all.

Precinct Officer Pay Request

A motion to approve paying all election precinct officers for their training and work upon presentation of verification to the treasurer from the county clerk was passed by all.

2016 Ford Explorer bumpers purchase request

Herndon requested approval to purchase a push bumper for one of the trucks in his fleet. When these bumpers are installed, insurance rates go down, because in the event of a vehicle vs. a deer, less damage is sustained. Herndon initially requested two bumpers, but a bumper can be taken off of a truck that is being sold at auction. The motion to approve the purchase at a cost of $1,450 was approved by all.