Powell County Fiscal Court approves transfers, expands hazardous-duty retirement coverage, pays off ambulance and makes appointments

Powell County Fiscal Court on Jan. 13 approved a series of financial moves, personnel actions and board appointments as part of a largely unanimous meeting that also included department updates and a public-record request on a disputed county road.

The court authorized interfund transfers including $95,000 from the General Fund to the Ambulance Fund, $20,000 to the Grants Fund and $420,000 to the Jail fund, and approved cash and budget transfers and the December financial statement. Magistrate Chad Patton moved and Magistrate Brian McKinney seconded the minutes and transfer approvals, which passed with all members present voting in favor.

County Attorney Robert King read and the court adopted two resolutions (Forms 7005 and 7008) to move eligible Powell County Sheriff's Department positions from non-hazardous to hazardous coverage under KRS 61.592, making hazardous-duty retirement coverage available to qualifying sheriff's employees. Magistrate Brian McKinney made the motion to adopt the forms and Magistrate Chad Patton seconded; the court voted unanimously to adopt both resolutions.

On emergency medical services finance, the court voted unanimously to pay off the remaining balance on a 2021 Chevrolet ambulance financed through De Lage Landen Public Finance LLC (contract #500-50248453) in the amount of $16,507.16. EMS Director William Puckett presented quotes for replacement monitors and ventilators but the court tabled equipment purchases to allow members time to review options.

Other approved items included permission for Solid Waste Coordinator Tim Snowden to attend the Kentucky Dam Village meeting (July 14-16, 2026), authorization for auto bank drafts for county utilities and telephone bills, and the payment of a Medicaid/Medicare invoice the court was asked to settle by the end of January. The motion to allow auto-drafts and the motion to pay the Medicaid/Medicare invoices each passed unanimously.

The court also confirmed multiple appointments. Deputy Judge Executive Dale Allen was appointed to the Powell County Airport Board to help advance completion of that project. The court appointed James Clark as a voting member of the Powell County Industrial Board (replacing John Brewer) and re-appointed Debbie Tipton; the Tipton reappointment passed 4-1 with Magistrate Chad Patton recorded as opposed.

Judge Executive Eddie Barnes said the court seeks efficient financial operations while providing department heads time to evaluate larger equipment purchases. "We'll take time to make the right purchasing decision," Barnes said, while directing staff to move forward with the loan payoff.

The court entered closed session under KRS 61.810(c)(F) and later resumed, with Judge Barnes stating that no action was taken during the closed session. The meeting adjourned at 8:21 p.m.

Votes at a glance: - Minutes (Dec. 3 and Dec. 9): Approved, unanimous - Claims and transfers (including interfund transfers listed above): Approved, unanimous - Hollerwood lease (pending Department for Local Government review): Approved, unanimous (contingent) - Auto bank drafts for utilities/phone: Approved, unanimous - Hazardous-duty coverage (Forms 7005 & 7008): Adopted, unanimous - Payoff of ambulance loan ($16,507.16): Approved, unanimous - Jackie Everman incentive payment ($5,302.12): Approved, unanimous - James Clark appointment to Industrial Board: Approved, unanimous - Debbie Tipton reappointment to Industrial Board: Approved, 4-1 (Patton opposed) - Medicaid/Medicare invoice payment: Approved, unanimous - Suspension of employee Kaitlyn Hinds without pay pending case resolution: Approved, unanimous

Next steps: the court asked staff to follow Department for Local Government procedures on the Hollerwood lease advertising, to provide additional equipment-purchase details for EMS at a future meeting, and to complete record searches requested during public comment on road-adoption questions.