County officials report EMS runs, tax collections, tourism growth and winter preparedness

Department heads at the McCreary County Fiscal Court’s January 2025 meeting delivered monthly updates covering EMS/9‑1‑1 activity, tax collections, alcohol licensing revenue, tourism performance, parks rental income and winter weather preparations.

Jimmy Barnett, the county 9‑1‑1 director, reported EMS had 386 runs in the past month and referenced billing and maintenance income (the transcript records a figure expressed as $175,008.85 in one passage and other call‑volume references in the meeting). Barnett also discussed the new AT&T 9‑1‑1 phone equipment purchase and the county’s plan to seek reimbursement through the Kentucky 9‑1‑1 board grant.

Stephanie Tucker, the county tax administrator, reported December collections and provided a breakdown: gross collections were presented at $76,885.26 with a split showing $62,590.89 and net proceeds listed as $10,271.93 after reported expenses. Tucker said the office mailed 305 delinquent notices in November and has collected $10,541.52 from that outreach so far; she also reported further business permit follow‑ups and collections forwarded to Hillcrest with $2,770.59 collected from several accounts to date.

Brenda Blevins, reporting for alcohol beverage control activities, said the county collected $9,873.96 in regulatory and license fees for November and that 26 licensed establishments operate in the county; she noted routine delays in fee reporting.

Michelle Perry, tourism director, presented what she described as a strong year for transient tax collections: fiscal year 2023–24 collections totaled $18,970.29, above the county’s transient tax budget line of $15,815. Perry said the county used ARPA funds in four collaborative projects (the Kentucky Wildlands Waterfall Trail, Kentucky Horsepower campaign, Bluegrass Train Experience and Cumberland wayfinding signage) and installed touch‑screen kiosks and other visitor materials. She reported marketing placements in multiple travel publications, participation in the Kentucky State Fair and the Heartland Motor Coach Show, and a social media reach in 2024 of over 1.3 million impressions. Perry said a Stearns Trail Town grant application for $30,000 was submitted for wayfinding signage.

Park manager Melissa (name read by the clerk while the manager was under the weather) reported 2024 park revenues of $31,158 (both county parks combined through December) and noted deposits for December rentals. Steven McKinnon, emergency management director, told the court the county’s recently installed generator for a warming center was tested, is operational, and county staff have tents, cots and beds staged; the warming center will operate during business hours and can be converted to a shelter if needed during power outages or an incoming winter storm. McKinnon provided the dispatch number for residents needing assistance and said transportation to the warming center could be arranged through dispatch if citizens could not travel themselves.

Several department heads thanked road crews, EMS and first responders for storm preparation and ongoing work. The court scheduled no additional public hearings on the updates, and department reports were accepted as presented.