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Spencer Court approves park mowers and two new deputy jailers; radio purchase fails amid split vote
Summary
The court approved purchase of two park mowers and the hire of two deputy jailers but rejected a proposed used‑radio purchase after a 3–3 tie. The meeting packet included an Attorney General letter and Kentucky Sheriffs Association response about Court Security officers' authority to transport prisoners.
Spencer County Fiscal Court on Sept. 9 approved several public‑safety and facilities items but deadlocked on a proposed radio purchase.
Public safety and equipment votes: the court approved buying two SKAG Turf Tiger mowers for the Parks Department at $12,265.64 each (total $24,531.28). Magistrate Travis voted against the purchase, saying the county should consider contracting mowing to save money; the motion otherwise passed by roll call.
A motion to buy three used Kenwood TK‑5210 handheld radios from Sunny Communications for $825 total produced a 3–3 tie and failed: aye votes were Judge Riley, Esq. Travis and Esq. Beaverson; nays were Esq. J. Moody, Esq. Brewer and Esq. M. Moody. A separate motion to purchase four Kenwood NX‑5700 mobile radios from J&N Electronics was proposed but died for lack of a second. The tie produced discussion about prior rebates and how many radios the county still needed.
On staffing, Jailer Melvin Gore asked to hire two deputies to replace one resignation and one deputy out on leave; one candidate (Aaron Hornsby) had passed a background check and drug screen. The court approved hiring two deputy jailers and authorized equipment purchases to outfit them; minutes record a roll‑call approval with the judge reportedly voting 'nay' while the motion passed.
Meeting materials also included an Attorney General opinion request and a Kentucky Sheriffs Association response on whether Court Security officers (CSOs) may transport prisoners. The Attorney General correspondence and KSA reply are in the meeting packet for reference; the court did not take formal action altering local practice but noted the legal questions and the jailer’s staffing concerns.
