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Judge Fried wins contingent approval to use grant funds for drug court comp-time and to assign vehicle to drug court
Summary
Judge Fried asked the board to allow IOCS grant funds to pay accrued comp time for drug court coordinator Brandon Burgess and to assign an unused Ford Explorer to the drug court; commissioners approved both actions contingent on a written court services handbook for the comp-time payout and with the pledge that vehicle costs be covered by program funds.
At a Fayette County commissioners meeting Judge Fried asked the board to approve two items for the county drug court: (1) allow previously awarded IOCS grant funds to pay accrued comp time for drug court coordinator Brandon Burgess, and (2) assign an old Ford Explorer to drug court for staff travel, with repairs and operating costs paid from drug court user fees and grant funds.
Judge Fried told the board the IOCS application process had recently been separated from the Department of Correction (DOC) process. "We actually did send 2 separate applications," he said, and apologized for not explicitly asking for permission for the separate IOCS application. He offered to return funds if the board preferred: "If you want me to send it back, I will."
On the comp-time payout, Judge Fried said about $12,000 remained in grant funds designated for that purpose. Commissioners and auditor Jane discussed the need for a written policy. Jane stated the State Board of Accounts would accept the payout if a court services handbook included a lawful policy authorizing such a disbursement. The board approved the payout contingent on the judge publishing a lawful court services handbook that authorizes the payout (motion by Tracy; second by Dale); the voice vote recorded three ayes.
On the vehicle, Judge Fried requested that an older Ford Explorer currently unused and needing repairs be assigned to drug court for day-to-day operations. He said the drug court would pay for any repairs, insurance and fuel from its program funds and would return the vehicle to county surplus if it proved unserviceable. Commissioners moved (Dale, moved; Tracy, second) to assign the Explorer to drug court; the board approved the assignment by voice vote.
Both actions were presented as funded from grant or program user-fee sources rather than the county general fund and include reporting or policy steps before full disbursement where applicable.
The board recorded both motions and approved the contingent comp-time payout and the vehicle assignment.
