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Simpson County Fiscal Court approves 2024 clerk and sheriff budgets, updates county code of ethics and signs required bonds
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Summary
At a Jan. 3 special-called session, Simpson County Fiscal Court accepted the 2024 budgets for the county clerk and sheriff (each including a 3% pay raise), passed a Code of Ethics update and approved bonds required under state law; the court also authorized small budget transfers and approved bills and claims.
FRANKLIN, Ky. — At a special-called meeting Wednesday, Jan. 3, the Simpson County Fiscal Court approved the county clerk’s and sheriff’s 2024 budgets, adopted an update to the county Code of Ethics and signed two bond approvals required for law-enforcement operations.
The court accepted County Clerk Austin Johnson’s 2024 budget of $6,588,255, which includes a 3% across-the-board employee pay increase. The panel also approved an annual order setting the maximum amount for the clerk’s deputies and assistants at $441,567. The motions to accept the clerk’s budget were made by Magistrate Myron Thurman and seconded by Magistrate Jeffrey Burr and passed with all voting members in favor.
The court likewise accepted Sheriff Jere Dee Hopson’s 2024 budget of $2,974,497, also including a 3% employee pay increase, and set the sheriff’s deputies and assistants maximum at $2,283,447. Those measures passed unanimously after a motion from Magistrate Marty Chandler and a second from Magistrate Burr.
In other business the court approved second reading and final passage of Ordinance No. 220.254 (Amendment No. 2) in the amount of $172,919.84. The court also approved Ordinance No. 230.31, a revision to the Simpson County Code of Ethics that clarifies restrictions on supervising or managing immediate family members and on participating in employment or disciplinary actions involving family members; the ordinance includes a specified exception allowing elected or appointed officials to vote on budgets that include family members so long as the family member is part of a class or group and does not receive a greater benefit than others in the group.
The court approved Sheriff Hopson’s $50,000 revenue bond (No. 82C231572) for the term Jan. 3, 2024–Jan. 3, 2025, as required by Kentucky Revised Statutes Section 134.230. It also approved a Continuation Certificate (Bond No. 389 27 81) effective Jan. 30, 2024–Jan. 30, 2025 on behalf of the South Central Kentucky Drug Task Force.
Officials authorized two small transfers within the Drug Task Force budget totaling $600 — $300 moved to vehicle maintenance/repair and $300 moved to office supplies from the law enforcement supplies line — and approved a list of bills and payroll claims covering vendors, utilities and employee payroll items submitted for payment.
Judge/Executive Mason Barnes and Fiscal Court members wished the public a Happy New Year during the meeting. County Attorney Sam Phillips reminded residents that property tax bills are now delinquent and may be paid at the sheriff’s office to avoid additional late fees. Public Works Director Bobby Groves said he expects Kenny Perry Drive to reopen by the end of January following a bridge replacement.
The court adjourned at 8:48 a.m. The Fiscal Court set a special-called joint city–county meeting for noon on Jan. 16 at the Historic Courthouse and noted the Chamber of Commerce annual dinner on Jan. 25 at Kentucky Downs.