Fiscal Court approves alcohol ordinance amendment, tables sheriff’s budget closeout

    The Pendleton County Fiscal Court showed the varied topics of their supervision as they discussed lawnmowers for recreation to alcohol ordinances to budget closeouts of both the county clerk and sheriff’s office.
    While approving budget tranfer requests from Sheriff Eddie Quinn’s office, they decided to table his budget close-out and excess fees report.
    “This information walked in the door at 4 o’clock today,” said Judge Executive David Fields about the report given to the magistrates at the 6 p.m. meeting.
    The budget transfers included changes to salaries as a result of the CPI decided by the state but not released until January.
    Fields explained on why the CPI increase in salary was not in the budget presented in November.
    “We do not know the CPI when the budget is figured in November. We have to backpay the CPI.”
    The transfers also included increases in office materials and vehicle while decreases in gas, transports, office equipment, computer/copier and holiday overtime.
    Magistrate Rick Mineer voted no to the transfer request as he would have liked a closer review of the CARES act funds.
    The court did table approval of the Sheriff’s 2020 Budget Close-outs and Excess Fees as they did not have the necessary time to review the numerous increases and decreases as they compared to the budgeted amounts. The item will be discussed at the caucus on Tuesday, March 2 and action can be taken on it at the Tuesday, March 9 regular scheduled meeting.
    They did approve County Clerk Rita Spencer’s budget close-out and excess fees. Her office returned $111,610.14 in excess fees to the court. Budgeted was $80,000 in excess fees but the use of paying fees online during the pandemic resulted in an increase.
    Over the past month, the court had been discussing an amendment to the Alcohol Ordinance to address a missing license needed by Pendleton Hills. It was approved after the public notice ran the past two weeks. A public notice in its approved form is on page four of this week’s edition.
    Stephanie Schlueter was present to discuss the Community Health Improvement Plan. The top three strategic issues are: Mental Health, Physical Health and Access to Services.
    Schlueter and the court went over the goals for each of the strategic issues.
    District 1 Magistrate Alan Whaley said about the presentation, “There has been lot of work your group has done in providing a framework for what you are planning to do.”
    One area of concern to District 3 Magistrate Darrin Gregg was Schlueter’s statement that the coalition wanted to develop a “more comprehensive smoke-free policy” for Pendleton County.
    He said, “I support my tobacco farmers and I’m going to walk down the street and smoke a cigarette” in referencing Williamstown where that is not prohibited to his knowledge.
    Schlueter indicated they were focusing on indoors.
    While magistates stated they did not want to micromanage the recreation commission, they spent a significant time reviewing the commissions’ request to purchase a new mower from Anderson’s Equipment for $9,599.
    The recreation agreement between the court, the school system and City of Falmouth calls for  each body to assume 1/3 of the cost of any major purchase of which the mower would qualify.
    District 2 Magistrate Josh Plummer pulled up online a mower that seemed to be a similar one that was $2,000 less. It led to a lengthy discussion on the purchase and use of equipment by the recreation commission.
    Fields stated on looking online, “If you want to go out of the county to purchase it, I won’t be for it.”
    Gregg asked, “Did they do their due diligence?”
    Fields answered, “I think they are.”
    Gregg proceeded to make the motion to approve the purchase. It passed unanimously.
    The court approved a donation to the Red Cross with the assurances that it goes entirely to Pendleton County. Fields  indicated he would check with the person in charge.
    Gregg inquired about how code enforcment was going with Code Enforcement Officer Kevin Valentine.
    Fields informed the court that the board had its first meeting and elected officers.
    County Attorney Stacey Sanning added, “Sounds like he is doing very well. Some of our problem cases are working with him.”
    Whaley pointed out that it was a good time to start a water line project on Center Ridge Road.
    Fields told him, “We cannot find a contractor to do it.”