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Fiscal
While the Pendleton County Fiscal Court approved several items on the agenda of their regularly scheduled meeting, a lengthy discussion was a result of this reporter’s question during a public hearing held on the uses of county road aid funds and LGEA funds.
No one else was present and at the start of the public hearing, District 2 Magistrate Josh Plummer asked if I had any statements or questions concerning the two funds’ use.
Living in the Northern Pendleton Fire and Ambulance District, I raised my concerns on the ambulance services that serve my household not having Advanced Life Saving services. Rather, they are Basic Life Saving services. It is a viewpoint of mine as a taxpayer and resident of the district and county and one that I had shared with Plummer and other magistrates in private conversations.
While the county has been hesitant to help the funding of Northern Pendleton, I made the point that presently they give $14,000 per month or approximately $160,000 per year to Pendleton County Ambulance District and another $80,000 to $100,000 to Falmouth Fire District.
Both are well deserving of the financial support and deserve every single penny they receive, but I questioned why the taxpayers and voters of Northern Pendleton don’t also deserve equal support to give them the best life-saving services that can be provided.
Points were made that District 1 Magistrate Alan Whaley’s area also has a lengthy response time and District 4 Magistrate Rick Mineer added that areas in Southern Pendleton County also have the same issue.
I made the point that the court is in a unique position with federal funds pouring into the county to have the financial means to address these issues and look for solution that would better serve all of the Pendleton County residents.
Members of the court expressed frustration that there are long-standing issues and aspects beyond their control that prevent them from acting as they wish to act.
In actions during the meeting, they recognized Lindsey Wolff for outstanding work in completing the 911 Academy as a member of the first virtual academy.
They approved D & M Mowing for roadside mowing of county roads. The bid was one time for $18,000. Fields confirmed for the court that the county could choose to mow roadside as many times as they chose but each time would be $18,000.
They approved two agreements regarding the justice center. Scott Heringer’s Commercial Cleaning Services received the janitorial services at the same cost as last year. Debra-Kuempel was awarded the maintenance services agreement with a two percent increase over last year’s agreement. That raised the agreement from $15,696.56 to $16,012.
The contract with Planning Development Services of Kenton County was approved for $20,000.
“It is up to $20,000, if we use it,” emphasized Fields. “They raised their hourly wage for their employees to do the job for us.”
The court approved three donations to local groups. A $2,500 donation to Pendleton County Youth Fair and $100 donations to Pendleton County Public Library’s summer reading program and 4-H Kickin Up Dust Run.
Plummer said about the library, “I don’t get why they have all that money and are asking us for money.”
Mineer was the third vote that passed the motion and said, “Both are supported by a tax base and we are giving more out of a tax base to them.”
A point that Plummer thanked Mineer for “spelling out how we all feel.”
Fields informed the court he is working on a plan for the bridge on Hogg Ridge.
“I want it built to not flood,” he said while pointing out he originally was looking at 10’ high and 60’ in length.
He met with an architectural firm who recommended it be 16’ high and 70’ in length.
During comments the court briefly looked at shading for the parks at athletic park, removal of dead trees hanging over roads, the Kincaid Lake State Park project and water lines.
On the latter, Fields said, “They are suggesting that we don’t do too much till you see where everything comes down cause supposedly more money is coming from the state and/or federal. It’s a hurry up and wait approach.”