Spencer County Fiscal Court approves zoning changes, staffing moves and EMS equipment purchase

County Judge Executive John Riley convened the Spencer County Fiscal Court by Zoom on July 20, 2020. The court approved five zoning applications recommended by the planning commission, authorized several personnel and pay decisions for planning and zoning staff, approved a jail housing contract with Shelby County, rescinded a prior overtime limit, and authorized an EMS equipment purchase paid for with grant funds.

The court approved zoning changes for properties at 1291 Hardesty Ridge Road, a tract in the 200 block of Lakeview Drive, a parcel on Highway To Heaven, 200 Roberts Road and 571 Ochs Lane after the planning commission's recommendations. Each ordinance change was approved on a roll-call motion; Esqs. J. Moody, Beaverson, Brewer and M. Moody participated in the motions and votes recorded in the meeting minutes.

Planning & Zoning official Mrs. Sweazy told the court her office needs more staff after an assistant submitted a resignation. The court authorized advertising for a full‑time administrative replacement and a part‑time code‑enforcement/occupational tax position that could be shared with the Administrative Licensing Office. "If we're going to replace Jan we need someone who can do both the paperwork and understand what they see in the field," Mrs. Sweazy said.

After debate over pay equity, the court voted to offer current Planning & Zoning employee Jan Kehne $15.25 per hour retroactive to July 1, 2020, to see whether she would remain; the motion (Esq. Travis, seconded by Esq. Beaverson) carried with Esqs. J. Moody and M. Moody voting "nay." Mrs. Sweazy said that if Kehne declined the position would still be advertised at that pay rate. Separately, the court adjusted part‑time paramedic Josh Darnell's pay from $13.50 to $15.50 per hour, retroactive to July 1, on a unanimous roll-call vote.

Jailer Melvin Gore presented the April–June 2020 quarterly report (71 transports; jail housing contract line items listed in the report). The court authorized Judge Riley to sign a jail housing contract with Shelby County. Gore's quarterly submission also listed $29,109.00 for Shelby County housing and $4,312.00 in inmate medical costs for the quarter.

Esq. Brewer moved and the court approved rescinding a prior motion that limited overtime to two hours per pay period for county employees (the earlier motion had excluded EMS, the road department and the animal shelter). That rescission carried with Esqs. J. Moody and M. Moody recorded as voting "nay."

Sheriff Herndon deferred to Sharon Thomas, who reported the 2019 tax settlement results (the office collected roughly 99% of about $13 million in billed tax dollars) and presented fee settlement figures showing fees turned over to county accounts exceeded projections by about $23,228.

Chris Limpp presented a ZOLL equipment quote totaling $10,930.40 and asked to use grant/stimulus funds to purchase EMS gear. The court approved buying the quoted ZOLL items with grant funds on a motion by Esq. Travis, seconded by Esq. Brewer.

On personnel matters, Judge Riley reported that Jan Kehne had submitted a resignation effective Sept. 1, 2020. He recommended hiring Shannon McCauley as a part‑time custodian at $12.50 per hour and to waive a separate background check and drug screen because she routinely undergoes those checks for her school bus driving duties; the court approved the hire (Esq. Brewer moved, Esq. Beaverson seconded) with Esq. J. Moody recorded as the lone "nay."

The court gave first reading to Ordinance No. 1 (FY2021), a proposed change reducing the posted speed limit on Martin Lane (County Road 1055) from 35 mph to 25 mph; first reading was approved and the second reading was scheduled for Aug. 3, 2020. County Clerk Lynn Hesselbrock asked the court to rescind the county's fee‑pooling ordinance effective Jan. 1, 2021, citing clean audits and a desire to manage clerk-office revenues directly; the court requested a written list of responsibilities and deferred action for later meetings.

Treasurer and Judge presented quarterly financials and a register of invoices and transfers; the court approved expenditures, purchases and transfers for the period. Judge Riley adjourned the meeting at 8:26 p.m.

Votes at a glance: the court unanimously approved five zoning applications recommended by the planning commission; it approved a pay correction for Josh Darnell ($13.50 to $15.50 retroactive to July 1); it voted to offer Jan Kehne $15.25/hr (motion passed with two "nay" votes); it rescinded the two‑hour overtime limit (two "nay" votes); it authorized the jail contract with Shelby County and the ZOLL EMS purchase using grant funds; and it approved hiring Shannon McCauley as a part‑time custodian at $12.50/hr.

What happens next: the ZOLL equipment will be ordered under grant rules; the Martin Lane ordinance will return for second reading and adoption; the court will revisit Clerk Hesselbrock's fee‑pooling request after she provides a written breakdown; and staffing advertisements for Planning & Zoning will proceed per the court's authorization.