County Council Approves Vehicle, Salaries
August 14, 2020 at 1:47 a.m.
By Teresa [email protected]
County Recorder Joetta Mitchell presented the annual records perpetuation fund affidavit which details user fees collected for record storage. The fund totals $208,000 and, with all records sufficiently stored, Mitchell indicated the money will be used to pay the salary and benefits for the chief deputy and recorder deputies in 2021.
Prosecutor Dan Hampton requested an additional appropriation of $40,000 from community corrections user fees. The money will be used to purchase a new vehicle for the department.
Hampton said the community corrections officers are now all special deputies and are making a lot more home visits. The vehicle also will be shared with the probation department staff.
Sheriff Kyle Dukes asked for an amendment to the 2020 salary ordinance to include a reports coordinator with a salary of $38,495 per year. Part of that pay will come from the sheriff’s overtime pay account for $950. Dukes said the employee is on the clerk’s payroll but works full time at the sheriff’s office. The individual also receives an additional $2,000 per year.
Dukes also asked for another salary ordinance amendment to pay part-time jailers $19.78 per hour, commensurate with full-time jailer pay.
The council also approved several transfers for the sheriff’s department: $15,000 from the jail longevity account to part-time jailer; $4,000 from the jail overtime account to part-time jailer; and $6,000 sheriff-approved holidays at the jail to part-time jailer.
County Administrator Marsha McSherry asked for $500,000 from the EDIT infrastructure and major improvements fund to the EDIT CARES Act account, which was approved. Commissioner Cary Groninger appeared for McSherry, saying the transfer will help to keep better track of the reimbursable expenses. CARES is a federal program distributed by the state to pay for COVID-19 related expenses.
County Auditor Michelle Puckett said there have been 11 claims so far and McSherry has conferred with the state for guaranteed acceptance before submitting the invoices for reimbursement.
Highway Superintendent Steve Moriarty asked to apply for a $22,400 Railroad Grade Crossing Grant for 2021, which was approved. Puckett appeared for Moriarty, adding that the grant was 100% reimbursable.
County attorney Chad Miner presented the Tippy-Chapman Sewer District by-laws.
Brad Bishop, OrthoWorx executive director, and Dave Anderson, of AcceLINX, presented the 2019-20 annual financial report of activities and accomplishments of the organizations.
Anderson said the main thrust of AcceLINX is to encourage orthopedic companies to locate here. He said in September a New Hampshire-based company should make an announcement about relocating here, adding 100 more jobs in a three-year period.
The group also is working with an company based in Italy, provided patents, introduces start-up companies to suppliers, offers consulting services and helps with investment capital.
Bishop noted that they are working closely with KEDCO Chief Executive Officer Alan Tio.
Bell Memorial Public Library presented a Declaration of Fiscal Body Budget Review of Taxing Units with a non-binding recommendation. No one appeared from the library and Puckett explained why this review was being presented.
State law has changed regarding library budgets and if the unit has more than 250% of an advertised budget in reserve, the library is expected to lower its levy and advise the county council of this status.
Puckett also reminded the council a resolution for the auditor to approve invoices of less than $10,000 without going before the council. She asked that an emergency amendment be added to the resolution allowing for transfers if the requesting department has the funds in another account.
Groninger also spoke on this topic, saying there were huge repair bills this year.
Wiggins asked if the half million dollar transfer approved at the beginning of the meeting wouldn’t help the situation and Groninger said it would. He also noted an additional $150,000 will be added to the maintenance budget for 2021.
In the end, the council approved the emergency amendment until the end of the year.
Puckett also presented a resolution to reduce the 2020 budget by $537,111. She said the item will be advertised and adoption will be at the September meeting.
Mitchell surprised Puckett with a framed copy of the leadership oath she developed while attending the online NACo High Performance Leadership Academy.
Puckett said attending the academy classes was the best opportunity she’s ever been given.
The council agreed to hold meetings in the Justice Building through the end of the year.
County Recorder Joetta Mitchell presented the annual records perpetuation fund affidavit which details user fees collected for record storage. The fund totals $208,000 and, with all records sufficiently stored, Mitchell indicated the money will be used to pay the salary and benefits for the chief deputy and recorder deputies in 2021.
Prosecutor Dan Hampton requested an additional appropriation of $40,000 from community corrections user fees. The money will be used to purchase a new vehicle for the department.
Hampton said the community corrections officers are now all special deputies and are making a lot more home visits. The vehicle also will be shared with the probation department staff.
Sheriff Kyle Dukes asked for an amendment to the 2020 salary ordinance to include a reports coordinator with a salary of $38,495 per year. Part of that pay will come from the sheriff’s overtime pay account for $950. Dukes said the employee is on the clerk’s payroll but works full time at the sheriff’s office. The individual also receives an additional $2,000 per year.
Dukes also asked for another salary ordinance amendment to pay part-time jailers $19.78 per hour, commensurate with full-time jailer pay.
The council also approved several transfers for the sheriff’s department: $15,000 from the jail longevity account to part-time jailer; $4,000 from the jail overtime account to part-time jailer; and $6,000 sheriff-approved holidays at the jail to part-time jailer.
County Administrator Marsha McSherry asked for $500,000 from the EDIT infrastructure and major improvements fund to the EDIT CARES Act account, which was approved. Commissioner Cary Groninger appeared for McSherry, saying the transfer will help to keep better track of the reimbursable expenses. CARES is a federal program distributed by the state to pay for COVID-19 related expenses.
County Auditor Michelle Puckett said there have been 11 claims so far and McSherry has conferred with the state for guaranteed acceptance before submitting the invoices for reimbursement.
Highway Superintendent Steve Moriarty asked to apply for a $22,400 Railroad Grade Crossing Grant for 2021, which was approved. Puckett appeared for Moriarty, adding that the grant was 100% reimbursable.
County attorney Chad Miner presented the Tippy-Chapman Sewer District by-laws.
Brad Bishop, OrthoWorx executive director, and Dave Anderson, of AcceLINX, presented the 2019-20 annual financial report of activities and accomplishments of the organizations.
Anderson said the main thrust of AcceLINX is to encourage orthopedic companies to locate here. He said in September a New Hampshire-based company should make an announcement about relocating here, adding 100 more jobs in a three-year period.
The group also is working with an company based in Italy, provided patents, introduces start-up companies to suppliers, offers consulting services and helps with investment capital.
Bishop noted that they are working closely with KEDCO Chief Executive Officer Alan Tio.
Bell Memorial Public Library presented a Declaration of Fiscal Body Budget Review of Taxing Units with a non-binding recommendation. No one appeared from the library and Puckett explained why this review was being presented.
State law has changed regarding library budgets and if the unit has more than 250% of an advertised budget in reserve, the library is expected to lower its levy and advise the county council of this status.
Puckett also reminded the council a resolution for the auditor to approve invoices of less than $10,000 without going before the council. She asked that an emergency amendment be added to the resolution allowing for transfers if the requesting department has the funds in another account.
Groninger also spoke on this topic, saying there were huge repair bills this year.
Wiggins asked if the half million dollar transfer approved at the beginning of the meeting wouldn’t help the situation and Groninger said it would. He also noted an additional $150,000 will be added to the maintenance budget for 2021.
In the end, the council approved the emergency amendment until the end of the year.
Puckett also presented a resolution to reduce the 2020 budget by $537,111. She said the item will be advertised and adoption will be at the September meeting.
Mitchell surprised Puckett with a framed copy of the leadership oath she developed while attending the online NACo High Performance Leadership Academy.
Puckett said attending the academy classes was the best opportunity she’s ever been given.
The council agreed to hold meetings in the Justice Building through the end of the year.
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