Members of Meade County Fiscal Court worked through several concerns during their regular meeting Tuesday (1/11) night.
At the beginning of the meeting, Tim LaTondress and Louie LonTondress urged magistrates to work on improving county roads by improving shoulders and trimming back growth to prevent damage to vehicles and equipment along with avoiding injuries to the public. They also asked county leaders to pressure the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to do the same.
Representatives from Republic Services were in attendance at the meeting to address concerns related to the recent transition of services between Santec and Republic for county trash collection. Magistrate Billy Sipes said that he had several complaints related to trash cans not being totally emptied to collection truck “leaking” or losing trash after stops. Judge Executive Leslie Stith mentioned several complaints regarding issues with telephone service and billing issues. Company officials said that there more issues than anticipated during the changeover. Telephone issues should improve as the local telephone number will be transferred to a regional call center for payments and billing questions. The other issues will be looked into and addressed as necessary. They ensured county leaders that they are striving to maintain the service as the previous company.
In other business, Fiscal Court approved the county clerk’s calendar year 2022 budget of $10.7 million, along with the salary caps for the deputy clerks. The court heard and approved a resolution for use of America Rescue Plan Act funds which includes the use of $3100 for covid tests and supplies for county employees who have not been vaccinated. A policy related to the new OSHA standards have to be developed and implemented by February 9, 2022. The court may have to take action before their next regular meeting once the county attorney has had a chance to review related documents.
Assistant EMS Director Todd Vinton reported to the court that lowest ambulance bid which were opened at the December meeting, did not meet the bid specs. The higher bided ambulance was selected and a feature adjustment lower the price to just $3,000 more than other truck. E-911 Director Jeremy Miller asked the court to approve the resignation of Brooke Mills and to advertise and hire a full time dispatcher.
Magistrates conducted a short closed session to return about 15 minutes later to take no action. County leaders along with Industrial Chairman David Pace announced the development of a multi-state, multi-county partnership to construct a regional grain elevator which will accept wheat, soybeans, and corn from local and regional farmers. Archer-Daniels-Midland is in exclusive discussions as a third party operator of the new facility. The announcement comes after two and half years of the closure previous Riverport operated by Consolidated Grain and Barge. Due to ongoing negotiations, the exact location has not been made public. Leader did say the project is now the permitting design phase. with construction to begin later this year.
You can watch the entire regular monthly meeting of the Meade County Fiscal Court in our “On Demand” section.
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