Fiscal Court updated on Jail Account spending

Fulton County Fiscal Court met in regular session Oct. 12, at the Fulton County Office Complex with County Judge/Executive Jim Martin and Magistrates Wade Adams and Shaun Parks present, and Magistrates Jim Paitsel and Hugh Caldwell attending via Zoom.

Judge Martin first presented a Proclamation declaring Oct. 11 through Oct. 17 as Kentucky Extension Homemakers Week and urged all citizens to participate in Extension Homemakers activities in their communities.

He then reported the Asset Ledger will have an audit finding included in the next audit, as a result of it not complete and up-to-date, at the point the audit was conducted.

“The audit will state that the ledger is current today and in good order, but we will continue to have an audit finding for at least one more year,” Martin said.

Judge Martin also updated the Magistrates as to the interest on the checking account, stating by moving the account, an additional $39,571 in interest was gained.

“Our contract we have is for three years, with the first year being at 2.31%, with the next two years being at 1.25%. I polled the other banks and the highest rate offered was .25%, so we are still doing good with that account,” Judge Martin said.

Emergency Management Director J.L. Atwill provided an update to the court regarding Covid numbers, reporting as of the morning of Oct. 12, there have been 198 cases of Covid in Fulton County, with 41 remaining active and four cases resulting in deaths.

It was announced Fall Clean-Up in Fulton County will be designated Oct. 19-30 with a dumpster in Cayce from 6 a.m. – 6 p.m., and Fulton County Road Department from 7 am. – 3:30 p.m. each day.

Magistrates approved the minutes of the Sept. 14 meeting; Fulton County Clerk’s office Quarterly Report from July – September 2020; County Treasurer’s Report; Bills; and the report on Fulton County employees.

Magistrate Caldwell asked whether the Court would be provided with a balance in the FEBCO account, the means by which employees pay in to an account and then utilize the fund for items such as prescription medications.

Fulton County Treasurer Leslie Woods responded that she did receive a daily report of that information, however because of HIPPA rules, she could not release it.

Martin stated the reconciliation will be received once the administrative contract is approved.

The Magistrates agreed to maintain a month-by-month process regarding payment on the Jail Debt, with Woods reporting the Jail had been informed not to have any large purchases unless an emergency situation arises.

“The Jail Account will run low this month. Last month I waited until the end of the month to watch it,” Woods said.

Judge Martin informed the Magistrates Wendy Elliott has returned to work for janitorial duties at the Courthouse, while the janitor is off on medical leave.

The Court entered into an agreement between the Department of Waste Management and Fulton County for Tire Collection, to be held Nov. 19, 20, and 21.

This event is held every three years for old tires to be collected at the Fulton County Road Department, with special approval granted from the Department of Corrections to use a jail crew to assist with this project.

Magistrates voted on and approved a contract between the Commonwealth of Kentucky and Fulton County on the CRF Reimbursement (CARES), in the amount of $203,000, to be used for payroll for dispatch, jail and road department only.

The Court discussed a payroll proposal, and voted to contract with Milton Dean, effective Nov. 1, for $385 per month.

The revised HRA plan, retroactive Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, then a six month plan on Dec. 30 through June 30, was approved, to resulting in the plan to be in sync with the health plan.

Discussion was conducted in regard to the US Administrative contract.

“If you recall, we made the Administrative contract effective the date of our meeting, but since there was not a written contract before, the administrator said we have to make it retroactive to Jan. 1, also, to give them the authority to process the claims, which they have already processed. I recommend we amend that contract and get everything on the same date and on Jan. 1, look at the possibility of a new Claims Administrator,” Martin said.

Magistrates Adams and Parks, and Judge Martin voted for this, with Magistrates Paitsel and Caldwell voting against it.

Anthony Williams and Brian Major were reappointed to the Water Fowl Conservation and Education Board for two years.

The Fulton County Sheriff Derek Goodson requested the hiring of a part time clerk to help with duties in the department, primarily collecting taxes, in the Sheriff’s office during tax season ending April 15, as needed. Magistrates approved the hiring of a part time officer.

The Emergency Operation Plan and the FMLA request for Lisa Callison for medical leave for 12 weeks beginning Nov 4 was approved by the Magistrates.

Judge Martin reported the roof at the Fulton Clinic is in need of repairs, and he received a quote for $66,500, which would remove the rubber roof and roofing down to the deck.

Martin said he will continue to request competitive bids for the roof or remodel the roof.

Martin then updated the Court on Gibson Connect.

“I have received a letter outlining the areas of the County that have met their quota, but it doesn’t define where that is or who the people are. I have asked for more details. They have committed to give me that, but I have not received it. I think there is an interest to underwrite the fees to get the entire county covered,” Martin said.

Magistrate Adams reported the Fish and Wildlife Department has placed a freezer at Cayce Volunteer Fire Department in an attempt to collect deer heads for product wasting disease, between now and the end of deer season. He stated Tags and bags are there, and the Fish and Wildlife Department will make a donation to the Cayce Volunteer Fire Department.