Fleming County Fiscal Court adopts FY2024-25 budget, approves personnel amendments and multiple administrative measures

Fleming County Fiscal Court on June 11, 2024 met at the Fleming County Courthouse in Flemingsburg and unanimously adopted the county’s FY2024-25 budget and approved multiple administrative measures and appointments.

County Judge/Executive Sims called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.; Fiscal Court Clerk Tammy L. Gray conducted roll call. Magistrate Taylor Hunt led the prayer.

The court completed its required budget actions, approving the second reading and passage of Ordinance 24-1402 to adopt the FY2024-25 budget. County Treasurer Miranda Utterback presented the month-ending financial report showing total county funds of $3,112,042.49, with balances listed for the General Fund, Road Fund, ARPA, Opioid Fund and other accounts. The court also approved the FY2024-25 Salary Order and routine budget and cash transfers.

In personnel and benefits business, the court approved second-reading amendments to Ordinance 13-1150 (County Administrative Code / Personnel Policies), effective July 1, 2024, and renewed employee health, life, dental and vision plans through Hinton Insurance Agency. The court voted to continue paying each participating employee a single health insurance plan premium monthly.

The court approved several appointments and administrative contracts. Joe Dunaway Jr. moved, and Donnie Fawns seconded, the reappointment of John Hyatt to the Joint Flemingsburg–Fleming County Planning Commission for a term running 7/1/2024–6/30/2028. Don Fawns moved, seconded by Richie Kielman, to appoint Jason Ginn to fill the remainder of a Fox Creek Watershed Conservancy District Board term through 2/19/2027. The court also renewed a seasonal mowing contract with Gray Services and authorized Chuck Marshall Auctions to handle sale of the old Senior Center property once vacated.

Emergency management actions included approval to submit an application for a KYEM EMPG (Federal Emergency Management Performance Grant) to purchase an emergency management vehicle; the court recorded that the grant requires a 50/50 match that will be appropriated from ARPA funds. A separate discussion about Hyper-Reach emergency alert systems was tabled.

In public safety and reports, the court approved the sheriff’s monthly report. Sheriff Smith announced Deputy Cooper’s upcoming academy graduation and that Deputy Horn will begin the academy in July. Sheriff Smith also reported that Kentucky State Police charged the Constable for District Four with receiving stolen property connected to a state vehicle; Sheriff Smith said his office recovered the vehicle and an arrest was made.

The court discussed several road matters. The May 2024 county road maintenance reports were approved. Discussion about placing weight-limit signage on Harn Road produced no action. The court considered discontinuing county maintenance on Denton Lane due to an affidavit from 2016 stating maintenance would cease if the road were gated; the decision was tabled because the County Attorney was absent and legal advice was required.

Other administrative items approved included the Annual Officer’s Certificate for the judicial center bond issue, approval of claims reports (with one mileage expense excluded because a jailer vehicle was provided for conference travel), approval of the Dispatch report as presented by Director C. Benton, and authorization to offer an employee payroll-deduction option for AirMedCare Network membership at the employee’s expense.

The court also approved a grant application dated 4/23/2024 for KYEM EMPG federal funding to purchase an emergency management vehicle, noting the required ARPA match. The senior center grant agreement and the joint maintenance schedule with the City of Flemingsburg were reviewed; the county will retain insurance on the center and split insurance costs 50/50 with the city, and the agreement sets alternating exterior maintenance responsibilities beginning 7/1/2024.

Votes at a glance: - Minutes (May 14, 2024): approved unanimously (mover: Richie Kielman; second: Donnie Fawns). - Administrative Office of the Courts FY24-25 agreement: approved unanimously (mover: Kerri Marshall; second: Taylor Hunt). - Gray Services seasonal mowing contract renewal: approved unanimously (mover: Taylor Hunt; second: Richie Kielman). - Reappointment of John Hyatt to the Joint Planning Commission (7/1/2024–6/30/2028): approved unanimously (mover: Joe Dunaway Jr.; second: Donnie Fawns). - Appointment of Jason Ginn to Fox Creek Watershed Conservancy District Board (term through 2/19/2027): approved unanimously (mover: Donnie Fawns; second: Richie Kielman). - KYEM EMPG grant application for EM vehicle (50/50 ARPA match): approved unanimously (mover: Kerri Marshall; second: Taylor Hunt). - Annual Officer’s Certificate for judicial center bond issue: approved unanimously (mover: Joe Dunaway Jr.; second: Kerri Marshall). - Adoption of Ordinance 24-1402 (FY2024-25 budget): approved unanimously (mover: Richie Kielman; second: Kerri Marshall). - FY2024-25 Salary Order: approved unanimously (mover: Joe Dunaway Jr.; second: Donnie Fawns). - Renewal of employee insurance plans via Hinton Insurance Agency: approved unanimously (mover: Taylor Hunt; second: Richie Kielman). - May 2024 county road maintenance reports: approved unanimously (mover: Taylor Hunt; second: Richie Kielman). - Denton Lane maintenance decision: tabled for legal advice (mover: Richie Kielman; second: Kerri Marshall). - Dispatch report (C. Benton): approved unanimously (mover: Richie Kielman; second: Kerri Marshall). - Jailer’s report: approved unanimously; Magistrate Dunaway requested Jailer Harmon attend future meetings. - AirMedCare payroll-deduction option: approved unanimously (mover: Joe Dunaway Jr.; second: Donnie Fawns). - Amendments to Ordinance 13-1150 (personnel policies), second reading and passage: approved unanimously (mover: Kerri Marshall; second: Taylor Hunt). - Chuck Marshall Auctions to auction old Senior Center property: approved unanimously (mover: Richie Kielman; second: Taylor Hunt). - First reading of Ordinance 24-1404 (prohibiting cannabis business operations): approved on first reading unanimously (mover: Richie Kielman; second: Joe Dunaway Jr.). - Payroll scheduling (issue payroll July 3, 2024) and continuation of single-plan premium payment: approved unanimously.

The court adjourned at 10:06 a.m. The county will proceed with required publication steps for ordinances and follow up on tabled items that require legal review or additional information.