Whitley County Fiscal Court approves budget amendment first reading, grants, ambulance funding and courthouse renovation bid

At its March meeting, the Whitley County Fiscal Court approved a package of routine financial and operational items, including appropriation transfers to support the purchase of four ambulances, a first reading of an annual budget amendment, acceptance of a House Bill 1 election equipment grant for the county clerk, authorization to apply for 9-1-1 service-board funds to upgrade radio systems, adoption of a county road (Hog's Jaw) and awarding a bid for courthouse renovation.

Presiding official summarized the appropriation transfers and noted "we had a couple large ones that surround the purchase of 4 ambulances that we've been waiting on a long time," and staff confirmed the county expects to present the payment to put the ambulances into operation. A motion to approve the appropriation transfers was made, seconded and adopted by roll-call vote.

On other business the court took the following actions (Votes at a glance):

• Ordinance 2024-O3 (annual budget amendment No. 5) — First reading approved; staff said the amendment includes reimbursements from several FEMA grants and excess fees from the county clerk and sheriff that comprise the majority of the amendment.

• Resolution 2024-O7 (House Bill 1 Clerk Election Equipment Grant) — Approved; the county clerk (Carolyn) said remaining grant funds will help acquire extra election equipment and backup units to support an additional voting center.

• Resolution 2024-O8 (9-1-1 service board application/authorization) — Approved; staff explained the likely request would be for an upgrade to existing radio consoles, software/firmware updates, Windows computer replacements and a single uninterrupted power supply for dispatch equipment.

• Petition to adopt Hog's Jaw into the county road system — Approved; Magistrate Jarbo said petitioners had gathered the required signatures and moved to accept the petition.

• Award of courthouse renovation bid — Approved; the court discussed that the rebid included materials, lifts and replacement of trim and molding; staff said materials chosen are higher-grade and therefore more costly than earlier estimates.

• Approval of monthly claims list, prepaid claims and employee pay rates — Approved by roll-call votes.

All recorded roll-call votes taken during the meeting returned affirmative responses from the court members present. The clerk and county staff will proceed with procurement and grant-authority steps as needed to implement the approved measures, and the appropriation transfers should allow county officials to finalize the ambulance purchase and bring the rigs into service.