Meeting of October 22, 2024
Fiscal Court Meeting - October 22, 2024 · Watch on YouTube ↗
Summary
Hardin County Fiscal Court – October 22, 2024
The Fiscal Court approved minutes, heard department reports, and passed three ordinances along with a full consent agenda. The Coroner reported busy August and September case loads and highlighted a new Quick Response Team (QRT) and QR-code referral system to connect people struggling with addiction to resources. The Sheriff reported activity statistics and reminded residents that tax bills will be mailed soon, with a 2% discount available through November. The County Clerk gave a detailed rundown of absentee, in-person, and early voting schedules ahead of the November 5th presidential election, noting 15 polling locations countywide, the most since before the pandemic.
During citizens' comments, several residents spoke about a controversy involving Magistrate Larry Hicks, who had asked for prayer for a constituent, Michael Sparks, sentenced in connection with January 6th. Court leadership reminded speakers to keep comments relevant to agenda items, and pointed people toward upcoming town hall meetings for broader discussion. Later in the meeting, Magistrate Hicks addressed the matter directly, defending his right to ask for prayer for the family under the First Amendment.
The Court passed an ordinance raising the E911 emergency telephone service fee from $5.05 to $6.55 (a 15% increase) to address a budget shortfall and rising call volumes, effective on 2025 tax bills. A rezoning ordinance (2694211) regarding I-1 and I-2 zones passed on a split vote. A budget amendment ordinance covering about $1.6 million in revenues and expenses, largely for ambulances, EMS, and road department funds, also passed unanimously.
The consent agenda included numerous resolutions: financial reports, payroll, claims, an animal shelter adoption grant, an insurance agent-of-record resolution, EMS personnel and vehicle purchase items, office equipment leases, acceptance of a donated school bus for emergency management use, cybersecurity and QRT equipment grants, a state road resurfacing contract, and an engineering technician position adjustment. All passed unanimously.
In closing comments, magistrates reminded residents of an upcoming town hall on November 7th and Ronnieville Days this Saturday. The next Fiscal Court meeting is scheduled for November 12th at 3:30 pm, with several county offices closed around Election Day and Thanksgiving.
Agenda (13)
- 10:55
Roll call and invocation
The meeting was called to order with roll call, invocation by Magistrate Aaron Pennington, and pledge of allegiance led by Magistrate Kenny Muse.
- 13:17
Approval of minutes
The court approved the minutes from the previous meeting.
- 14:08
Coroner's report
Coroner Pat Elmore presented August and September activity reports, including case counts, overdose statistics, and updates on the new Quick Response Team and QR-code referral program.
- 18:54
Sheriff's office report
Sheriff John Ward presented activity statistics for August and September and gave updates on upcoming tax bill mailings and discounts.
- 21:32
Sheriff's office receipts and disbursements
A financial officer presented the sheriff's office receipts and disbursements for August and September.
- 23:08
County Clerk election report
County Clerk Brian Smith gave a detailed report on absentee, in-person absentee, and early voting schedules and statistics ahead of the November 5th election.
- 28:07
Citizens concerns and comments
Several residents spoke, including comments defending Magistrate Hicks' prayer request for Michael Sparks, complaints about restrictions on public comment topics, and a request to vote no on allowing medical cannabis businesses in industrial zones.
- 36:16
First reading of Ordinance 343 (E911 fee increase)
The court discussed and passed the first reading of an ordinance raising the E911 fee from $5.05 to $6.55, citing budget shortfalls and increased call volumes.
- 39:10
Second reading of rezoning Ordinance 2694211 (I-1 and I-2 zones)
The court held the second reading of a rezoning ordinance affecting I-1 and I-2 zones, which passed on a split vote.
- 40:12
Second reading of Ordinance 341 (FY2024 budget amendment)
The court passed the second reading of a budget amendment covering about $1.6 million in revenue and expenses, largely for ambulances, EMS, and road department funds.
- 41:17
Consent agenda
The court approved a large consent agenda covering financial reports, payroll, claims, grants, personnel resolutions, equipment leases, a donated bus, and committee minutes.
- 47:14
Magistrate and attorney comments
County Attorney and magistrates gave closing comments; Magistrate Larry Hicks addressed the controversy over his prayer request for Michael Sparks and defended his First Amendment rights.
- 49:05
Announcements and adjournment
Magistrates announced upcoming events including a town hall, Ronnieville Days, and office closures, before the meeting was adjourned.
Motions & votes (6)
- 13:25
passedApprove second reading of Ordinance 341 Series 2024 (FY2024 budget amendment)
unanimous
- 13:29
passedApprove the Hardin County Fiscal Court minutes from the last meeting
unanimous
- 38:35
passedApprove first reading of Ordinance 343 Series 2024 (E911 fee increase)
unanimous
- 39:41
passedApprove second reading of Ordinance 2694211 (I-1 and I-2 zoning)
6-2, Magistrates Muse and Saltzman opposed
- 46:17
passedApprove the consent agenda including financial items, personnel, grants, leases, and committee minutes
unanimous
- 50:39
passedMotion to adjourn the meeting
Transcript (38 segments)
- 0:28
e e e e
- 2:28
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- 4:28
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- 6:28
e e e e
- 8:28
e e e e [Music]
- 10:25
so if everyone to take a seat we'll get started thanks for being here today just a quick check again a reminder for cell phones if you haven't uh had a chance to check your cell phone make sure it's turned off and we'll go ahead and get started this is the October 22nd 2024 Harden County Fiscal Court regular voting meeting so we'll call this meeting to order roll call please Squire clim here Squire Hicks here Squire Muse here Squire Pennington here Squire Saltzman here Square Thompson here Square Whitehead here Squire Yates judge tall here next we'll have our invocation by magistrate Aaron Pennington and and the Pledge of Allegiance by magistrate Kenny Muse please pray with me Father God we just thank you for today we just thank you for the opportunity to gather and do the business of this County and father we just ask that as we are conducting this business that it would be fruitful for you and father we just ask that uh you would be with our our country um and
- 11:40
all of our citizens and father we just continue to pray for peace ac across the entire world father we just ask you now just to uh let this time serve you in the best way possible in Jesus name we pray amen Al to the flag of the United States ofer America and to the repic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible liy and justice for all uh again thanks for joining us today it's good to see all of you here uh I'll just uh take a moment and review the agenda uh next we'll approve the last uh meeting minutes uh we will um move on from there to some department or office reports uh we'll have some time for Citizens concerns or comments we have uh three ordinances to um to vote on today and then we'll have the typical consent agenda that I'll go
- 12:54
through and talk about what's in there and we'll vote on that and then we'll have our uh comments at the end before we adjourn so that's the agenda today so um let's go ahead and move on to the first item here and that's to approve uh the Harden County Fiscal Court uh minutes from the last meeting is there a motion to approve so moved second moved and seconded and any discussion go ahead and have a roll call then Square CL yes Square Hicks yes Square Muse yes Square Pennington yes Square Salzman yes squar Thompson yes squar Whitehead yes judge tall yes motion passes all right next we have some presentations and we'll start out with our coroner Pat Elmore evening judge members of the Court members of the audience uh tonight I'll have your uh August and September