Perry County fiscal court approves budgets, equipment purchase and nominations

The Perry County Fiscal Court met and approved a slate of routine and project items, including 2025 budgets for county offices, personnel changes, equipment purchases and an interlocal agreement to pursue public water for the Saal community.

Speaker 2 moved to approve the minutes from the previous meeting and routine bill payments and invoices; those motions were seconded and approved by voice vote. The court approved transfers reported to the Department of Local Government.

The court approved the 2025 budget for the Perry County Sheriff’s Office. Speaker 4, speaking after the budget motion, thanked the court for its financial support, saying, “I appreciate your support…Without that, we can't operate 24 hours a day and provide service.” The fiscal court also approved the 2025 budget for the Perry County Clerk’s Office; Speaker 3 said operations are “about the same” as last year and described the most recent election as the smoothest he’s seen in office.

The court moved to advance operating funds to the sheriff’s office—an annual practice to cover costs until tax collections are distributed—and approved recommended personnel changes affecting November 2024, including creating a fourth crew and raising Tim Miller to lead‑man pay.

On procurement, the court awarded a bid for an F‑350 truck to Klutz Auto Sales for $85,000, with Speaker 2 noting much equipment is typically grant‑funded but this purchase will increase in‑house capacity and yield cost savings. The court also approved a construction management contract for the Wildcat Coal Lodge (the Leatherwood School renovation) with Coldell Construction Incorporated; officials said volunteers have supported early staging while the county pursues grants and funding to begin full renovation work.

Nominations to the Extension Board were approved for Tom Cravens and Kenny Rohr.

The meeting closed after a motion to adjourn was carried.