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Perry County Council approves hiring, grant applications and several appropriations; tables large court request
Summary
At a regularly scheduled Perry County Council meeting, members approved hiring for the highway department, authorized applications for Homeland Security grants, approved several smaller appropriations and tax abatements, and tabled a $50,000 circuit court appropriation request for a later meeting.
PERRY COUNTY — The Perry County Council on Tuesday approved a slate of personnel hires, authorized multiple grant applications and passed several appropriations while tabling a larger court funding request until council members can review incoming reimbursements.
Councilmembers voted 5-0 to allow the highway department to fill multiple truck-driver/operator vacancies, to permit Emergency Management Agency staff to apply for two Department of Homeland Security grants, to accept a separate $2,000 Homeland Security grant for AED supplies, and to approve a series of tax abatements and routine budget items. The council also voted 5-0 to table a $50,000 additional appropriation request from the circuit court to a subsequent meeting.
Why it matters: The hires and grants target county operations that county leaders described as essential to public safety and infrastructure — maintaining nearly 500 miles of roads, updating radio equipment for first responders and adding courthouse security options. Tabling the circuit court request delays a large expenditure pending incoming reimbursements and allows the council time to consider alternatives to drawing on the general fund.
Most important actions
- Hiring for highway maintenance: Councilmembers approved filling three truck-driver/operator positions after the department reported multiple retirements and quits. Steve (Highway Department) told the council, “I need to fill these positions to be able to continue to maintain the road properly.” The motion to fill the positions passed 5-0.
- Homeland Security grants: The council authorized application to two Department of Homeland Security programs. EMA Director Steve Hauser described the grants as “each can apply up to $150,000,” noting one grant focuses on courthouse/security items and the other on radio upgrades for first responders. The council also approved applying for a separate $2,000 grant for AED supplies. Motions to apply were approved 5-0.
- Jail staffing and meals: Using misdemeanor-fund revenue the council approved funding for a part-time weekend kitchen matron and additional inmate meal funds. Council approval for the matron and for inmate meals passed 5-0.
- Tax abatements and routine items: The council approved a package of tax abatements for local businesses and the final year of a municipal power (solar) abatement. The motion passed 5-0. The council also approved minutes from the July 24 meeting and the 2026 payroll and holiday schedule.
- Circuit court appropriation tabled: The circuit court requested a $50,000 additional appropriation for court-appointed attorneys and related expenses. Council members opted to table the item 5-0 to await an expected reimbursement and to review available general-fund balances before committing new dollars.
- Capital-projects paving intent: The council gave verbal intent (5-0) to accept a commissioners' bid for paving the courthouse parking area and to advertise the appropriation for formal approval at a later public hearing; formal appropriation will be considered after required advertisement.
What council members said
During public comment, Robert Carter urged the council to advertise for an animal welfare board vacancy in advance of an expected county ordinance change by the commissioners, saying, “The reason I'm here is, as you all know, on Tuesday, the commissioners will on the agenda... approve, if everything goes right, the new animal control ordinance.” The council subsequently approved a motion, contingent on commissioners’ approval, to advertise the open position on the animal-welfare/control board (vote 5-0).
Clerk Joan Hess described staffing shortages in the clerk’s office and asked the council to consider a one-time bonus for two deputies; that separate discussion is recorded in meeting minutes and was not approved as a council motion at this meeting.
How the votes broke out
Most formal motions during the meeting passed unanimously (5-0). Where the council recorded no roll-call, the meeting record shows the motions carried by voice vote with the chair announcing the tally. The council took multiple separate motions rather than bundling all items into a single omnibus vote.
Looking ahead
Council members scheduled multiple budget sessions and public hearings through September, including department-head budget sessions and a special public hearing for capital projects. The council said it would revisit the tabled circuit court appropriation once reimbursements arrive and after additional budget review.
