The Bracken County Fiscal Court held a special meeting on December 23, 2024, to address several pressing issues, primarily focusing on law enforcement recruitment challenges and budget considerations for the sheriff's department.

The meeting began with a discussion on the difficulties faced in recruiting qualified law enforcement personnel. It was noted that this is a nationwide issue, with some agencies in California offering recruitment bonuses as high as $100,000 due to the severe shortage of candidates. The court explored the possibility of grants to assist with recruitment incentives but found that available grants typically cover only three years of salary. After that period, the burden of funding falls back on the county, which complicates long-term hiring strategies.

Next, the court reviewed the sheriff's department vehicle budget. The sheriff indicated that while there is currently one spare vehicle in good condition and another in poor condition, there is no immediate need to purchase additional vehicles for the upcoming budget year. The sheriff suggested postponing any new vehicle purchases until the 2025-2026 budget cycle, as the department has sufficient resources to manage its current fleet.

Following these discussions, David Couch made a motion to accept the sheriff's budget for February, which was seconded by Kevin Sherrells. The motion was put to a vote and passed unanimously, with all members present voting in favor.

In conclusion, the meeting highlighted ongoing recruitment challenges within law enforcement and the careful management of the sheriff's department budget, with a focus on maintaining operational efficiency without unnecessary expenditures. The court's decisions reflect a strategic approach to addressing both immediate needs and long-term planning for the county's law enforcement resources.