Fiscal court celebrates Flag Week, approves AOC use of court building

Jun. 16—The June 14 Madison County Fiscal Court meeting kicked off with a proclamation recognizing Flag Week. The American flag was first recognized on June 14, 1777, making this year's Flag Week, 245 years of the symbol's use.

"It is fitting and proper to recognize Old Glory as a symbol of hope, inspiration, and pride for the people of the United States and around the world," Judge Executive Reagan Taylor said.

Debra Parsons, Regent of the Jemima Boone Chapter, National Society, and Daughters of the American Revolution, as well as Carol Heheman and Eileen Loar were present for the proclamation. American flags were put up around the courthouse as part of the proclamation.

Magistrate Roger Barger, Magistrate John Tudor, Magistrate Tom Botkin, and Judge Taylor were in attendance for the meeting. Magistrate Ben Robinson could not attend Tuesday's meeting, as he is currently in quarantine.

The first three items on the agenda consisted of the second readings of ordinances 2022-04-Administrative Code for 2022-2023, 2022-05-Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace Policy for 2022-2023, and 2022-06-Code of Ethics for 2022-2023. The first readings of these ordinances took place during the last fiscal court meeting in May.

The court passed Resolution 2022-73-AOC Lease Agreement — Family Court Building in which the court agreed to let the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) use office space in the Madison County Family Court building, in exchange for reimbursement for their use and any expenses listed in the agreement that occur. The court will also provide the AOC with accounting records of expenses in the building. The agreement will go into effect on July 1.

"Judge, this is a good contract," Magistrate Botkin said to Taylor. "We are getting $132,000, I believe is the number, for operating costs and the remainder to make a $648,753 contract with the AOC. It's a very good contract. We're very thankful to have them occupy that space."

In Resolution 2022-74-Employee Classification Schedule for 2022-2023, the court approved a schedule used to create steps for increased wages for county employees. Years of service worked by the employees is one of the factors used in creating the schedule.

The court secured further grant writing services from the Bullpen Company with Resolution 2022-75-The Bullpen Company Grant Writing Services Contract. As per the resolution, the county signed a $50,000 contract with the Bullpen Company starting July 1, 2022 and ending on June 30, 2023.

Judge Taylor said the contract with the Bullpen Company is a solid return on investments, noting the county received hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants last year.

An agreement between the fiscal court, the county, and the Madison County Health Department (MCHD) was overseen which will help coordinate the Safety City Program. Resolution 2022-76-Safety City MOA comes as part of a collaboration with the Fire Department and other city partners — with a safety education program being taught and Safety City property and services being cared for.

Next up on the agenda, Keith Parke's tenure on the Madison County Board of Adjustments was extended. He was initially appointed several months ago to finish out a term, with the fiscal court being confident in his ability to hold the position.

Leonard Bratcher's term on the Southern Madison Water District Board was also continued.

County Jailer Steve Tussey presented Resolution 2022-79-Detention Center 2022-2023 Policy & Procedure Manual — an organizational chart and operations manual for the Madison County Detention Center. It is a yearly procedure which needs approval from the fiscal court and the Kentucky Department of Corrections. It was approved by the fiscal court.

Tussey said that were mostly grammatical changes to the manual. Magistrate Botkin noted it was "a living document" that is always in the process of changing with the times.

A bid was awarded for waterproofing at the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Madison County EMA/CSEPP has the funding to pay for the foundational waterproofing. Circle G Excavating LLC took the bid for the project, which the fiscal court approved. It comes as the EOC has had water drainage issues. The bid came in at $407,050.

Resolution 2022-81-Annual Standing Order to Pre-approve Recurring Expenses FY22-23 saw the court approve the payment of recurring expenses like monthly payroll and utilities.

The first and second addendums were made on a memorandum of agreement between the Madison County Fiscal Court and the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC). The Madison County Kentucky Public Properties Corporation wishes to be made a party on the memorandum of agreement between the fiscal court and the AOC which was entered on May 1, 2021. The county, AOC, and Madison County Kentucky Public Properties Corporation agreed to the terms of the first addendum on the agreement. The addendum retroactively went into effect on May 16, 2022.

The second addendum saw the aforementioned parties go into another agreement. On May 1, 2021, a memorandum between the county and the AOC saw the two go into an agreement to seek funding on a new judicial center for the county, in accordance with the rules of the Kentucky Court of Justice (administrative procedure part 10). The 2022 General Assembly has allowed additional use allowance, with the three parties agreeing on $1,415,700 is the maximum amount for that allowance. It will go into effect July 1, 2022.

Other business:

—A vacancy was filled in the Planning and Development Office. Jennifer Meredith was hired at a rate of $14.00 an hour starting on June 22.

—James Jones was hired as a seasonal outside cart attendant for the county's golf at $9.50 an hour starting on June 15.

—Harold "Doug" Roberts was hired by the Road Department as a part-time CDL truck driver staring at $16.00 an hour on June 27 provided he completes employ screening.