Fiscal Court Meeting Search

Meeting of September 13, 2022

9-13-22 Ohio County Fiscal Court Meeting · Watch on YouTube ↗

Summary

Ohio County Fiscal Court – September 13, 2022

The court handled a full slate of routine and special business. Magistrates approved the August 23rd minutes, paid the county's bills and claims, and accepted the treasurer's and county clerk's August 2022 financial reports. A second reading of Ordinance 2023-2 (a budget amendment tied to a water grant for the Bluegrass Crossing project) passed on a roll-call vote.

The court opened bids for the Rough River cleanup project, acknowledged the bids received, and voted to table awarding the contract until funding is confirmed. Bids were also opened for emergency-response equipment for the Hartford Fire Department; after review, the court accepted Atlantic Emergency Solutions' bid of roughly $26,446.71 for a cutter, spreader, ram and power supply package, noting it was over $2,000 cheaper than the competing bid. No bids were received for a truck for the City of Centertown.

Property tax rates were confirmed unchanged from the prior meeting's public hearing. The Ohio County Public Library presented lowered real-property and personal-property tax rates, which the court accepted, and the Soil Conservation District's unchanged rate was also approved. Several resolutions tied to the CDBG-funded water district intake project (a roughly $1 million upgrade) were passed, including authorization for the judge-executive to sign grant paperwork, a residential relocation resolution, professional-services and procurement-code resolutions, a cost-overrun resolution, and a $400,000 resolution for the Old Liberty Road/church water line project.

The court approved new guidelines and rules for inmates on jail work crews, an interlocal agreement letting the City of Hartford again use inmate labor (with Hartford taking responsibility for lunches and incident notification), and rules for supervisors overseeing those crews, amended to specify a small reimbursement for inmate lunches. An updated Fearless Friends agreement covering use of the old animal shelter was also approved.

Committee reports covered a wage-scale change adding a pay incentive for lowboy/heavy-equipment operators and a road department pay adjustment (a 7% base-pay raise plus back pay to July 1, funded through incentive adjustments). Other updates included progress on a possible regional juvenile detention ('boys camp') partnership, an off-road-vehicle use committee still organizing, a suicide-awareness walk planned for September 24th, and a strong tourism/festival report. Magistrates also discussed a planned pipe/culvert fix for the Ghost Church Road intersection, a Rockport boat ramp/dock project expected to cost under $30,000, and the purchase of a motor for the county's emergency rescue boat funded through a magistrate's discretionary funds. The meeting closed with reminders about the upcoming county fair.

Agenda (33)

  • 0:03

    Call to order, prayer and pledge

    Judge-Executive called the meeting to order and Deanie Minton led a prayer and pledge of allegiance.

  • 1:21

    Approval of August 23rd minutes

    The minutes from the previous meeting were presented and approved.

  • 2:15

    Bills, claims, payments and transfers

    The court discussed and approved payment of bills, claims and transfers, including a discussion of rising fuel/mac prices.

  • 3:32

    Declare old truck surplus for sale

    The court declared an old county truck surplus and directed staff to advertise it for bid before an upcoming auction.

  • 4:38

    Treasurer's August 2022 financial statement

    The court acknowledged the treasurer's financial statement for August 2022.

  • 4:56

    Clerk's August 2022 financial report

    The court accepted the county clerk's financial report for August 2022.

  • 5:15

    Ordinance 2023-2 budget amendment, second reading

    A budget amendment ordinance tied to a water grant for the Bluegrass Crossing project passed its second reading via roll-call vote.

  • 6:09

    Rough River cleanup bid opening

    Bids were opened for several cleanup sites along Rough River; results were read aloud site by site.

  • 8:40

    Centertown truck advertisement (no bids received)

    An advertisement for a truck for the City of Centertown, funded through opioid settlement funds, drew no bids.

  • 9:08

    Hartford Fire Department equipment bids

    Bids were opened for emergency rescue equipment (cutter, spreader, ram, power supply) for the Hartford Fire Department.

  • 12:39

    Property tax rate confirmation

    Following the earlier public hearing, the court confirmed it would keep the previously set property tax rates unchanged.

  • 13:53

    Ohio County Public Library tax rate presentation

    The library director presented lowered real and personal property tax rates for the library district.

  • 17:50

    Soil Conservation District tax rate

    The Soil Conservation District's tax rate, unchanged from the prior year, was presented for acceptance.

  • 19:16

    Ordinance 2023-3 budget amendment (Old Liberty Road/church project)

    A budget amendment ordinance related to the Old Liberty Road church water project received its first reading.

  • 20:11

    Water district CDBG resolutions package

    A series of resolutions supporting the roughly $1 million water district intake improvement project were introduced.

  • 24:01

    Resolution 2023-13: Old Liberty Road church project funding

    A resolution formalizing the $400,000 funding agreement for the Old Liberty Road church water project, needed to accompany the previously passed MOA.

  • 25:14

    Inmate work crew guidelines and rules

    The jailer asked the court to approve new guidelines and rules governing inmates participating in county work crews.

  • 26:21

    Interlocal agreement with City of Hartford for inmate labor

    An interlocal agreement outlining responsibilities between the county and City of Hartford for using inmate work crews was presented.

  • 28:49

    Supervisor rules and regulations for inmate work crews

    Rules governing supervisors overseeing inmate work crews were presented, later amended to address payment for inmate lunches.

  • 31:05

    Fearless Friends agreement (former animal shelter)

    An updated agreement with Fearless Friends regarding use of the old animal shelter property was finalized after language changes.

  • 32:42

    Wage scale committee: heavy equipment incentive

    The wage scale committee proposed adding a pay incentive for employees who drive the lowboy/heavy equipment trailer.

  • 34:26

    Wage scale committee: road department raise and back pay

    The committee proposed a 7% base pay raise for road department employees, adjusted through incentive pay and backdated to July 1st.

  • 35:55

    One-Up educational incentive committee

    A committee was appointed to explore ways to encourage county employees to pursue further education or skills training on their own time.

  • 37:15

    Jail committee report on regional juvenile facility

    The jail committee reported on discussions with neighboring counties about a possible partnership to acquire a state-surplus juvenile facility.

  • 38:47

    Off-road vehicle use committee

    Magistrates discussed forming or clarifying an off-road vehicle committee, with plans to meet and possibly pilot the program in one section of the county.

  • 40:48

    Suicide awareness walk announcement

    An upcoming suicide awareness walk at the park on September 24th was announced.

  • 41:13

    Tourism committee report / festival recap

    The tourism director gave a positive recap of the recent festival, noting strong attendance and out-of-state visitors.

  • 43:01

    Neighbor check-in / winter preparedness reminder

    A magistrate reminded residents to check on neighbors as colder weather approaches.

  • 43:44

    Ghost Church Road intersection drainage fix

    A plan to install solid plastic culvert pipe at the Ghost Church/Highway 62 intersection to reduce accidents was outlined, at an estimated cost just over $5,000.

  • 45:08

    Rockport boat ramp/dock project

    An update on plans for a new floating dock and ramp at the Rockport boat ramp, expected to cost under $30,000.

  • 47:50

    Emergency rescue boat motor purchase

    A magistrate described purchasing a motor for the county's emergency rescue boat using discretionary funds, citing flood preparedness concerns.

  • 49:51

    Road paving / flex funding update

    Magistrates discussed the status of state flex funding for blacktopping and road paving projects, including delays on state highway work.

  • 54:24

    County fair announcement

    Magistrates were reminded that the county fair runs this week, Thursday through Saturday.

Motions & votes (25)

  • 1:39

    passedApprove the August 23rd fiscal court meeting minutes

    Moved by Sam Small · seconded by Larry Murphy · unanimous

  • 2:29

    passedApprove payment of bills, claims and transfers

    Moved by Sam Small · seconded by Larry Murphy · unanimous

  • 3:50

    passedDeclare an old county truck surplus and advertise it for bid ahead of sale

  • 4:38

    passedAcknowledge the treasurer's August 2022 financial statement

  • 4:56

    passedAccept the county clerk's August 2022 financial report

  • 5:23

    passedPass Ordinance 2023-2 budget amendment on second reading (water grant for Bluegrass Crossing)

    seconded by Joe Barnes · roll call, all magistrates voted yes

  • 8:09

    tabledAcknowledge Rough River cleanup bids and table awarding the contract until funding is confirmed

    Moved by Larry Murphy · seconded by Sam Small

  • 12:52

    passedConfirm property tax rates remain unchanged from prior meeting's public hearing

  • 15:12

    passedAccept the Ohio County Public Library's lowered tax rates

  • 16:27

    passedAccept Atlantic Emergency Solutions' bid (~$26,446.71) for Hartford Fire Department equipment

  • 18:42

    passedAccept the Soil Conservation District's unchanged tax rate

    Moved by Joe Barnes · seconded by Jason Bullock

  • 19:21

    passedAccept Ordinance 2023-3 budget amendment for the Old Liberty Road church water project (first reading)

    Moved by Jason Bullock · first reading

  • 20:39

    passedAuthorize the judge-executive to sign CDBG/water grant paperwork for the water plant intake project

    Moved by Larry Murphy · seconded by Sam Small

  • 21:12

    passedAccept Resolution 2023-9 regarding residential relocation (none occurring) for the water project

    Moved by Jason Bullock · seconded by Joe Barnes

  • 21:33

    passedAccept Resolution 2023-10 for CDBG professional services related to the water district

    Moved by Sam Small · seconded by Larry Murphy

  • 22:26

    passedAccept Resolution 2023-11 committing to follow procurement code

    Moved by Jason Bullock

  • 22:47

    passedAccept Resolution 2023-12 regarding a cost overrun on the water project

    Moved by Larry Murphy · seconded by Sam Small

  • 24:43

    passedAccept Resolution 2023-13 formalizing the $400,000 Old Liberty Road church project funding

  • 26:07

    passedAccept inmate guidelines and rules for work crew participants

    Moved by Joe Barnes · seconded by Larry Murphy

  • 28:14

    passedAccept interlocal agreement allowing the City of Hartford to use inmate work crews

    seconded by Jason Bullock

  • 29:33

    passedAccept supervisor rules and regulations for inmate work crews, as amended for lunch reimbursement

  • 32:33

    passedAccept the updated Fearless Friends agreement for the former animal shelter property

  • 33:24

    passedAdd a pay incentive line for employees operating the lowboy/heavy equipment trailer

    seconded by Larry Murphy

  • 35:08

    passedApprove a 7% base pay raise for road department employees with back pay to July 1st, adjusted via incentive pay

    seconded by Larry Murphy

  • 42:27

    passedDeclare additional item surplus for sale via GovDeal

    Moved by Eddie · seconded by Larry Murphy

Transcript (44 segments)

  • 0:01

    [Music] um i'm going to go ahead and call the mating order call this amigo i came fiscal court to order on the 13th day of september 2022 and shortly after 5 p.m uh i'm going to ask our uh deanie minton in the back to lead us in a prayer and a pledge to the flag are your most gracious heavenly father thank you for giving us thank you for our many blessings that have been bestowed upon this community our state and country please forgive us of our trespasses please give these gentlemen the guidance to make the right decisions for god amen [Music] one nation under god indivisible with

  • 1:14

    liberty and justice for all thank you the august the 23rd minutes are there for your uh viewing i would love to have you approved motion by sam small approved a minute second larry morphy is there any discussion directions or additions any discussion corrections or addition if there are none on the third say i post like that don't you care before you have the bills claim payments and transfers including a late late i'll make the motion motion to sam small

  • 2:34

    second second but larry murphy is there any discussion give them time to you know yeah we are give me just a minute see we got the new mac price yeah were you pleased or displaced well it's gone up but i think they kind of already indicated to nick that it was what they're going to bring next year and what the ones are going to bring this year we think that over 100 will bring a lot more than this one yeah we really need to look into that maybe that single access program and there's something else we have to do along that line too after we can feel safe and i'll do it right then before i forget it i'm good all right uh no no further question all in favor say aye all right pose like sign motion carry a little bit out of order but uh the uh we need to go ahead on this truck that's going to the sale we need to go ahead and declare it surplus even though we've already sent it down there and to say that anyone that's interested can will advertise anyone wants to bid on the candidate uh

  • 3:48

    uh at that option remove the circle motion by second oh this is the old truck you can get some numbers uh the number of the truck no but on here it's not okay but right now while we're talking about it we've got a motion second okay any further discussion hang miranda would you get the information from me and go ahead and run the ad and know i can't find news for one week and name the place where the auction's going to be so that if anybody here would go down and bid on if they could judge i make the motion we acknowledge the treasures august 2022 financial station i'll second it mostly sam take them to job uh any discussion being done on paper say aye aye opposed like that that's true judge i make a motion to accept the clerk's august 2022 financial report

  • 5:01

    i'll second i'll say okay second but jason voted for sam thank you this is on the clerk um ordinance 2023-2 that's a budget amendment this is the second reading oh motion blurry second second but joe that's for the water going out to bluegrass crossing the grant right here okay uh well since it's ordinance you're going through a call small yes bullock yes barn yeah johnston yes count yes mark you yes okay uh that ordinance second reading is pass and it's law okay we had just advertised this way and everything a bit opening at four o'clock for the rough river cleanup uh

  • 6:15

    larry kim is going to read the beds the winning bids anyway and then we'll have a motion because we're not going to be able to ward the right now so we're going to be able to say where the bits were right okay on site one uh extreme excavation at 185 thousand dollars on site three carroll route 325 thousand dollars site four carol we're out 165 000 site five carol ralph eighty-five thousand dollars site six extreme excavation two hundred and ten thousand dollars sites seven and eight are combined together uh extreme excavation gathered at eighty-two thousand six hundred dollars eight nine five thousand they're larry what that that was 55 000 for them president two yes yes yes sir

  • 7:28

    okay that that was the other bit of two again but seven and eight seven eight wraps together there yeah yes sir okay uh then we'll go to extreme excavation on site 9 285 000 site 10 kyle eddington nine thousand four hundred dollars and site eleven carol addington thirty four thousand dollars thirty four thousand six hundred dollars and what we wanna do is uh i want to make a motion to acknowledge the beds and table a bit until we hear from our family second motion by larry count second by sam small to table the till we hear from our funding okay a discussion holds like sign motion carries we had advertised for a under from the opera funds

  • 8:41

    for a truck for the city of centertown and i'm understanding we have no beds correct we have no bids we also advertise for equipment for the hartford fire department same way there are two beds uh pesos to joe for opening and uh you can watch over it there okay appreciate that chief well you can read one thing here yes multiple emergency services cutter package