Spencer County Fiscal Court puts economic development director under judge’s appointment, names Brittany Veto

Spencer County Fiscal Court voted Jan. 4 to place the county’s Economic Development Director under the direct appointment and supervision of the Judge-Executive and to appoint Deputy Judge-Executive Brittany Veto to that post for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2024.

The court adopted Resolution No. Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Series A, which cites Kentucky Revised Statutes section 67.711 to authorize the change in supervisory authority for the Economic Development Director position. The resolution notes the position had been vacant for a considerable period and states the transfer is intended to allow more efficient administration of county government. The measure passed by voice vote, 6–0.

County Judge Scott Travis said the reorganization would allow the judge’s office to better supervise economic-development efforts and that the court would include the appointment in the fiscal-year staffing structure. The resolution specifies that Veto will retain the hourly wage previously set by fiscal court while holding both roles, but it does not state the dollar amount in the resolution text.

The vote followed a motion by Esq. Stump and a second by Esq. Pharris. County Clerk Lynn Hesselbrock attested the motion under the court’s order.

The court recorded the resolution as compliant with the judicial and administrative statutes referenced; the packet notes the action was taken notwithstanding Chapter 4, Section IV of the Spencer County Administrative Code. The court did not discuss additional funding or a separate job description for the combined roles during the meeting.