Bracken County Fiscal Court approves grants, hires dispatcher and several budget and vendor claims

The Bracken County Fiscal Court approved several administrative items at the meeting, including a $2,000 Department of Agriculture spay-and-neuter grant for the county animal shelter, the hiring of a full-time dispatcher, and multiple budget and vendor claims.

Grant: The clerk reported the county had been awarded a Department of Agriculture spay-and-neuter grant for $2,000 to support the animal shelter; the court voted to approve the contract so the clerk can return it to the granting agency. The motion to approve the grant contract was moved by Sandy Roof and seconded by Heather Brumley; the vote carried.

Dispatcher hire: Debbie Mayfield reported on interviews for a full-time dispatcher and recommended Jonathan McConnell, a local resident. The court approved hiring McConnell at the current non-certified dispatcher rate of $14.50 per hour with benefits pending successful preemployment screening. The motion was seconded by Sandy Roof and carried on a recorded vote.

Approvals and transfers: The court approved a general fund budget transfer, a Dispatch 9-1-1 fund budget transfer and multiple vendor claims (general fund vendor claims, jail fan vendor claims and Dispatch 9-1-1 fund vendor claims) after motions and roll-call votes. All items in the approvals block were recorded as passed.

Other business: The court also heard updates on road department work, a review of county-owned donated lots and plans to consult AOC about an advertised maintenance position for the Judicial Center. Commissioners discussed Smart911 sign-ups after residents reported they could not hear weather sirens in some hollows during a recent storm.

The court adjourned after the final votes.