$21 MILLION BUDGET, TRAILS, ON FISCAL COURT’S PLATE TODAY

By Susan Salyer

On Tuesday May 24, 2022 the LC Fiscal Court had last weeks regular meeting
agenda as a special meeting at 10AM at the Lawrence County Courthouse. In attendance were Judge-Executive Phillip Carter, Deputy Judge Vince Doty, Magistrate’s John Scaggs, Michael Mouse Halcomb, Rick Blackburn and David Pinson.

AGENDA

1. Opening Prayer- Chris Jobe
2. Pledge of Allegiance — Rick Blackburn
3. Judge/Executive Phillip Carter called meeting to Order.
4. Approved Minutes of the April 19th, 2022, Regular Meeting- Motion by Mouse Halcomb and 2nd by John Scaggs.
5. Approved 1st Reading of Budget Amendment # 5-Motion by David Pinson and 2nd by Michael Halcomb.
6. Approved Treasurer’s Request-Motion by Rick Blackburn 2nd by John Scaggs.
7. Approved Bills-Motion by David Pinson and 2nd by Rick Blackburn.
8. Approved Treasurer’s Report – Motion by Rick Blackburn 2nd by Michael Mouse Halcomb.
9. Set Salaries – LC Treasurer Sabrina Cantrell said some employees received performance raises based on evaluations by Judge Carter, while some did not. She did not say which employees got a raise. Motion by Michael Mouse Halcomb and 2nd by John Scaggs.
10. Approved 1st Reading of FY 22/23 Budget – Ms. Cantrell said, “The budget for FY 22-23 is $21,451,719 up from $9,946,839 last year 21-22 that’s a huge difference from current year,” she said.  But she pointed out the difference is $14 million which came from FEMA monies just being received from the ice storm in 2021.” Motion by Rick Blackburn 2nd by Michael Mouse Halcomb.
11. Approved Recurring Expenses FY 22/23 – Motion by Rick Blackburn and 2nd by David Pinson.
12. Tabled Health Insurance – Discussion by Deputy-Judge Vince Doty said they received one quote for 10.19% raise in cost but the court is awaiting more quotes.
13. Approved Sheriff’s 2021 Property Tax Settlement – Motion by Rick Blackburn and 2nd by David Pinson.
14. Approved Sheriff’s 2021 Franchise Settlement – Motion by David Pinson and 2nd by Rick Blackburn.
15. Approved Resolution for National Heritage, Wildlands and Eastern Ky. Pride- (see story on Lazer click here:)

16. Authorized Clerk to Advertise for Bids on Gravel, Blacktop, Pipe, Fuel, etc.-Motion by Michael Mouse Halcomb and 2nd by David Pinson.
17. Approve 4th of July Donation – Motion to donate $1,000 by Michael Mouse Halcomb and 2nd by John Scaggs.
18. Open Bids on Playground and Pouring Rubber awaiting more bids.

All votes on motions were unanimous.

19. Public comments:

LC Judge-Executive Phillip Carter thanked everyone for helping and donating time for The New Season 20 American Idol Noah Thompson’s welcome home.

“Of course we are all so proud of this young man’s accomplishments. Everyone in Lawrence County is excited about Noah!” Carter said.

LC Clerk Chris Jobe said the Tuesday’s Primary voting went without any problems during the Noah Thompson Parade and Free Concert.

“I compared the voting record from 4 years ago to the recent vote on May 17 and they were almost the same.” Jobe said. Jobe also thanked his employees, local police and poll workers for making everything move smoothly.

LC Tourism Chairman Wes Kingsmore thanked everyone who participated and contributed to the successful American Idol event.

“Without the help of Robbie Fletcher and the school board allowing us to use buses to transport people from property owned by Jim Booth, who donated the open field spaces around Wal-Mart for parking and shuttles to the LCHS Football Field for free concert of Noah Thompson, we couldn’t have done it” Kingsmore said.

The Fallsburg Summer Stage was a huge success and our own country music star, Tyler Childers, made a surprise appearance.” Kingsmore reported “The month of May has been named May Music Month in Lawrence County.

Proposed 22-23 Fiscal Year budget