McCreary County fiscal court reviews budget, accepts $1.28 million road-aid agreement and approves routine hires

The McCreary County Fiscal Court opened its regular meeting on May 14, 2026, with a first reading of the county’s FY2026–27 budget and a set of routine approvals that included a $1,282,353.34 cooperative program agreement for rural and municipal road aid.

During the first reading of the fiscal-year budget, presented at the request of finance officer Debbie Gilreath, officials said the plan is largely similar to last year’s with targeted allocations for the road department and emergency medical services and limited use of prior-year surplus for infrastructure projects. “It pretty much is the same thing as it was last year, except that we have allocated a few things that the department needs,” the finance officer said, noting the budget will be available for public review between the first and second readings.

The court unanimously approved Resolution 20260514-001, a cooperative program agreement with the Kentucky Cabinet for Rural and Municipal Aid totaling $1,282,353.34 for fiscal 2027. The judge framed the funds as primarily for pavement and road personnel; members carried the motion by roll call with no additional debate.

On procurement, the county reported a single bid for a new ambulance from Emergency Transportation Associates LLC of Deer Gap, North Carolina, in the amount of $176,210.46. EMS Director Jimmy Barnett told the court the chassis and vehicle would require additional outfitting before service and that such outfitting will incur further costs. The court approved awarding the bid and directed EMS staff to coordinate purchase and outfitting.

Personnel actions included approval of a reclassification and pay adjustment for a certified emergency medical technician: Lehi King was moved from full-time AEMT at $15.82 per hour to full-time paramedic at $17.82 per hour upon EMS Director Jimmy Barnett’s request. The court also approved hiring Rex Maschino as a part-time 9-1-1 dispatcher at $13 per hour (pending administrative-code requirements) and multiple seasonal temporary workers for mowing at $12 per hour.

In other business, the court reappointed Kathy Dishman and Terry Jones to the West McCreary Fire Board of Commissioners and reviewed smaller road-aid line items for Stearns Road and Whitley City. A resident asked how to donate a private driveway or small road to the county; officials asked for location details to review eligibility under county road criteria.

Department heads reported routine monthly activity: EMS reported 432 transports and roughly $237,002 in revenue for the month; the tax administrator, Stephanie Tucker, reported April collections of approximately $647,515. Stephanie Tucker noted net collections of $640,013.59 after expenses. Tourism and parks staff detailed upcoming events and campsite availability. Sharon Privett, director of the Boys and Girls Club, said the club expects to open at the end of July and can accommodate up to 45 members, asking the community to complete a forthcoming survey to help plan operations.

The court discussed constituent complaints about event scheduling after a local gravel-rally conflicted with hunting season; members agreed to avoid such future conflicts. The meeting closed after the court approved the payment of bills and called for voter turnout ahead of the upcoming election.

Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes (04/09/2026 regular, 04/16/2026 special): motion carried. - Interfund and budget transfers: approved. - FY2026–27 budget: first reading opened; available for public inspection prior to second reading. - Cooperative program agreement (Resolution 20260514-001) — $1,282,353.34: approved. - Ambulance bid (Emergency Transportation Associates LLC) — $176,210.46: approved. - EMS reclassification (Lehi King): approved; pay adjusted to $17.82/hr. - Hire: Rex Maschino, part-time 9-1-1 dispatcher at $13/hr (contingent): approved. - Seasonal workers for mowing (Lloyd Lovett, Isaac Quarter, Devin Stevens): approved. - Reappointments to West McCreary Fire Board (Kathy Dishman, Terry Jones): approved.

The court adjourned after approving bills and a final roll-call motion to adjourn.