Pike County fiscal court acknowledges 2025 budgets, hears snow-response staffing and salt concerns, and approves two personnel items

Pike County fiscal court on an unan­imous vote acknowledged receipt of the sheriff’s and clerk’s 2025 budgets, heard extended discussion about overtime and salt supplies after a recent snow and ice event, and approved an amendment to a personnel transfer and a new hire.

The court’s acknowledgements of the sheriff’s and clerk’s budgets formalized budget documents presented to the fiscal court; the sheriff’s budget includes a $17,000 repayment to the fiscal court tied to unpaid mineral-tax shares, and the clerk’s budget showed a reported $202,000 surplus. Commissioners and staff warned the court that county coal and mineral severance receipts have fallen substantially and could strain services if the trend continues.

Most of the meeting’s substantive discussion concerned the county road department’s response to the recent storms. Road staff said multiple salt orders were placed and that a final delivery was expected the day of the meeting. Road supervisors and commissioners discussed collecting time sheets and overtime totals from the storm response and exploring changes to overtime or comp-time policies because some foremen currently earn substantially less than crewmembers doing overtime work. The court directed staff to gather all the snow-event time sheets and produce overtime totals once payroll periods close.

Commissioners also discussed long-term salt storage. Road staff described logistical problems getting more salt when large regional storms occur—truck contractors often deliver to larger markets first—and said the county may need a larger salt barn at Ford Mountain so crews can replenish local satellite lots. A road supervisor estimated the county spread roughly 350 tons during the storm week (approximate), and commissioners said they will revisit a salt-barn proposal after compiling overtime and inventory data.

Formal actions taken by the fiscal court during the session were procedural acknowledgements and personnel acknowledgements rather than new appropriations or policy adoptions. The court approved: the minutes of the Dec. 19, 2023 meeting; acknowledgement of receipt of the sheriff’s 2025 budget (which reflected the $17,000 repayment to the court tied to unmet mineral tax shares); acknowledgement of the clerk’s 2025 budget (showing a $202,000 surplus); and an amendment to a personnel transfer for Pliny May to include longevity effective Jan. 7, 2025, plus hiring Philip Stevens at the solid-waste “lower 2 H” rate effective Jan. 9, 2025.

"I'll just thank the guys for all the hard work here in the last week and a half," said Commissioner Lewis, praising road crews and echoing public compliments noted by other commissioners.

The court did not adopt a formal overtime policy at the meeting. Instead, officials asked staff to return with compiled timesheets and cost estimates for overtime so the fiscal implications can be assessed and options discussed at a future meeting. No specific funding shifts or tax changes were proposed during the session.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes, Dec. 19, 2023: Motion by Commissioner Scott; second by Commissioner Lewis; roll call: Scott—yes; Atkins—yes; Lewis—yes; Judge Jones—yes. Outcome: approved.

- Acknowledgement of receipt of the sheriff’s 2025 budget (includes $17,000 repayment to fiscal court tied to unmet mineral tax shares): Motion by Commissioner Lewis; second by Commissioner Atkins; roll call: Scott—yes; Atkins—yes; Lewis—yes; Judge Jones—yes. Outcome: acknowledged.

- Acknowledgement of receipt of the clerk’s 2025 budget (reported $202,000 surplus): Motion by Commissioner Lewis; second by Commissioner Scott; roll call: Scott—yes; Atkins—yes; Lewis—yes; Judge Jones—yes. Outcome: acknowledged.

- Acknowledgement amending Pliny May’s transfer to include longevity (effective 01/07/2025) and hiring Philip Stevens at the lower solid-waste 2 H rate (effective 01/09/2025): Motion by (mover not specified in transcript for amendment, second by Commissioner Scott); roll call: Scott—yes; Atkins—yes; Lewis—yes; Judge Jones—yes. Outcome: acknowledged.

What the court directed next

Court members asked staff to compile all snow-event time sheets and provide a total overtime cost so the court can consider budget adjustments. Commissioners asked staff to explore options for making foreman compensation more equitable and to return with cost estimates and policy options. The salt-storage idea (a larger barn at Ford Mountain) was identified as a project for future consideration pending budget review and inventory figures.

Background and context

County leaders said coal and mineral severance receipts—historical revenue sources for Pike County—have fallen substantially from previous years and could be several hundred thousand dollars below budget this year. Officials noted the county has so far avoided raising taxes, but declining mineral receipts limit the county’s flexibility. Road staff described supply-chain challenges during regional storms that can delay salt deliveries when neighboring states have simultaneous demand, which is why local storage was raised.

No executive session was held. The meeting concluded with a vote to adjourn.