LAWRENCE CO., KY. FISCAL COURT SELECTS NEW TREASURER, NO MENTION OF LIBRARY BOARD MEMBER

HEAR YE, HEAR YE….CARTER CALLS ORDER AT FISCAL COURT…WITH NOBODY IN AUDIENCE BUT MEDIA

By Susan Salyer

The LC Fiscal Court had a regular scheduled meeting on June 20, 2023 at the Lawrence County Court House, 122 S Main Street, 2nd Floor, Louisa, Kentucky at 10AM. LC Judge/Executive Phillip L. Carter was in attendance along with LC Magistrates David Pinson, John Scaggs, Mouse Halcomb. LC Magistrate Rick Blackburn was absent.

JUDGE PHILLIP L. CARTER wasted little time going through a 19 item agenda Tuesday morning with no audience. Carter named each item but offered little audible discussion on any of the budget items,

At one point Carter called “order in the court” although there was no audience and only three members of the media present besides the officials. Not clear who he was attempting to “shush.” Carter also did not give opportunity to ask questions from the press.

County Clerk Chris Jobe could not attend yesterday but did provide minutes from the last two meetings as The LevisaLazer.com had been requesting for the past four months. The minutes are on file in the clerk’s office for review, he said. But they cannot be seen online at the present time.

Carter appointed Josh Puckett as the new Treasurer, Puckett had worked for former CA, Brad Derifield and current CA Johnny Osborne. Puckett told The Lazer that he is happy to get the new position. “I like it and I want to make clear that I do not have any connection with the county attorney’s office any longer,” Puckett said.

One expected item did not appear on the docket. The appointment of a new member of the Lawrence County Library Board which must be filled by July 1. Carter made an appearance at a library board meeting last year complaining about expenditures and excesses at the $9 million facility. But he has not followed up with any plans of suggestions that we know of.

Carter and his staff has refused to speak with Lazer reporters for several weeks since we reported a story he did not like.

Library Board president John Osborne has resigned from the board effective July 1, as his 4 year term on the Library Board of Trustees was up, anyway.

Library board members have sent the name of former member George Oberlick to the court for approval but the court can reject the name and ask for new applicants since the passing of Senate Bill 167 last legislative session. The Library budget must also be approved by the fiscal court.

The court approved a reduction in the speed limit on what is called “town Hill” by local residents. Recent additions to the area including Fairgrounds, Motorcross, soccer fields and pickleball courts have caused traffic increases and Carter told the court the reduced speed limit is necessary and all the court members agreed.

Not much luck getting bids for asphalt, pipes and other items drew only one bid. Treasurer Puckett advised the court that the federal government requires at least two bids on the items so the matter was tabled and a special meeting will be held.

(We hope to have a url for last month’s FC meeting minutes in clerk’s office)

AGENDA

1. Opening Prayer
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Call Meeting to Order
4. Approve Minutes from May 18, 2023 – Motion by Mouse Halcomb 2nd by David Pinson. None Opposed.
5. Approve Minutes from June 15, 2023 Special Meeting – Motion by John Scaggs 2nd by Mouse Halcomb. None Opposed
6. Approve Bills – Motion by David Pinson 2nd by Mouse Halcomb. None Opposed.
7. Approve Treasurers Report – Motion by John Scaggs 2nd by Mouse Halcomb. None Opposed.
8. Second Reading of Budget FY 2023-2024 – Motion by David Pinson 2nd by Mouse Halcomb. None Opposed.
9. First Reading of Budget Amendment #6 – Motion by Mouse Halcomb 2nd by John Scaggs. None Opposed.
10. Set Salaries – Motion by David Pinson 2nd by Mouse Halcomb. None Opposed.
11. Appoint New Treasurer for FY 2023-2024 – New LC Treasurer Josh Puckett, former assistant County Attorney. Yearly salary will be $54,500. Carter told retiring TreasurerSabrina Cantrell that “We Wish you a long retirement.”
12. Open Bids – (asphalt, piping, etc.) Motion by Mouse Halcomb 2nd by David Pinson. None Opposed. Asphalt had one bid for pipe. County Attorney advised tabling the item and have a special meeting to settle it. Re-Bid at Special Meeting to be announced. All in favor.
13. Bid Out Surplus Vehicles and Equipment – Motion by Mouse Halcomb 2nd by David Pinson. None Opposed.
14. Approve Amendment to Sheriff 2023 Budget – Motion by David Pinson 2nd by John Scaggs. None Opposed. The move is making plans for the expenditure of Covid funding, Sheriff Chuck Jackson told the court.
15. Approve Amendment to Sheriff’s 2023 Maximum Amount for Deputies and Assistants – Motion by David Pinson 2nd by John Scaggs. None Opposed.
16. Approve county owned Pine Hill Cemetery Issues – Motion by John Scaggs 2nd Mouse Halcomb. None Opposed. Pay $1,000 for cremation and $500 for casket plot.
17. Set Speed limit on Town Hill Road – Motion by John Scaggs 2nd by Mouse Halcomb. None Opposed. Speed limit set at 25 MPH.
18. Public Comments – “Summerfest went real well, thanks to the volunteers,” Carter told the court.