Fulton Co. Fiscal Court committee’s actions save money

A committee formed, consisting of Fulton County Magistrates Wade Adams and Shawn Parks, and Fulton County Road Supervisor Alan Coffey, to look at buying a new road grader, updated the Fulton County Fiscal Court during regular session June 17.

Magistrates Jim Paitsel, Wade Adams, Hugh Caldwell, Shaun Parks, and Judge/Executive Jim Martin were present for the meeting.

“The County had a lease on a road grader and we were in line to either renew the lease or purchase a new road grader. The price for a new grader was $278,023. They were asked to look at our equipment and our options, evaluate other equipment, and get out of the mode of always doing what we have always done,” Judge/Executive Martin said.

“The committee ended up recommending to you to buy a different type of equipment, a smaller, but equally capable piece of equipment from Caterpillar for a price of $194,214.16, under the state purchasing agreement. I bring that up because I believe you, the taxpayers, need to understand these three people saved you $83,809, based on where we were destined to go, by doing what we have always done. I also wanted to point out, part of the equipment specified had GPS on it. I think that is a real nifty piece of technology and would be important if we were building roads, or getting to a specified grade. I recommend not to include the GPS. If we include it, the price will be $212, 674. We will save $18,460 by excluding the GPS,” continued Martin.

Adams said, “Like we said earlier, you run the machine more, we will never be on the machine.”

Coffey replied, “If we were making roads I would be all for the GPS. I don’t see spending $18,460 for something we would seldom use.”

Parks asked, “If we decide down the road we want to add the GPS, can it be added?”

Caterpillar representative RoBert Browning stated, “Yes. You can rent or add the technology later. It is a hardware in addition to the software. We can come and do training. You are saving money and purchasing a premier product, not a foreign made.”

The current lease will terminate in November automatically.

Fulton County Detention Center (FCDC) employee Brittany Walsh was present asking for an appeal to her dismissal.

Judge/Executive Martin stated, “Typically we don’t discuss personnel, because there are all kinds of violations that can be involved it you start discussing publicly.”

Attorney Leeanna Wilkerson, standing in for County Attorney Rick Major, said, “I’m not sure about the personnel policy. It sounds like you have to approve the termination first. Once you approve the termination, whatever rights the employee has kicks in.”

Magistrates voted to terminate the employment of Walsh. A hearing for her appeal was set for June 19, at 9:30 a.m.

The Earthquake Insurance Policy was presented by Judge Martin for renewal and was approved. The previous year’s policy was $11,087, and this year, it will be $11,309 on the Courthouse and the Detention Center.

Mid America Health Memorandum of Understanding with the FCDC was reviewed and approved by the Magistrates.

“Dental was added to the standard medical contract in 2015, but in that policy, we are paying for a $60,000 pool. So, this is not an additional cost. What we are actually doing is providing a dental provider to work for our Advanced Medical contract. We don’t have a direct contract with Mid America Health,” stated Martin.

Kourtney Harriford-Green with Advanced Correctional Healthcare and Paula Holden with Southern Health Partners attended to discuss their company’s medical policies.

Both representatives explained options available with Magistrates to review the information and decide which company to approve.

Regarding a detention center vehicle deemed surplus property, Fulton County Clerk Naomi T. Jones stated, “The license plate would need to be turned in and also contact PVA.”

Judge Martin requested Tommy Hodges to make sure the vehicle comes off the insurance policy.

Steven Williams, FCDC Jailer, stated, “I have received two bids for new copiers, from Ricoh and Howard D. Happy. Ricoh had the better price for our needs.”

Williams recommended Ricoh, however, Magistrates voted to wait and make the purchase from next year’s budget.

J.L. Atwill was present for the meeting to give an update on the Emergency Medical Dispatch Protocol Change.

Atwill recommended Associated Police Communications Officers, which the Public Safety Answering Point recommends. He stated this program can be updated throughout the year, and will cost approximately $2,400 - $2,500, which can be reimbursed to the Fiscal Court through 911 funds.

Authorization for Tommy Hodges, Administrative Assistant, to apply for 911 funding was approved.

A Statement of Affiliation Agreement between the County of Fulton and the Fulton County Rescue Squad was discussed by the officials.

“A state statutory requirement that if a rescue squad maintains its non-profit status in order for the Fiscal Court to give them money, we have an affiliation agreement with them. As of right now, that agreement does not exist. Because of that our Rescue Squad is not covered by the State’s Workman’s Compensation coverage,” reported Judge Martin.

Magistrates approved the Affiliation Agreement.

A letter from the Rescue Squad was received asking the Fiscal Court to make their contribution during the current year of $7,000 with money in the budget for this year and also in next year’s budget to make the contribution.

The Magistrates approved to contribute $7,000 to the Rescue Squad this fiscal year.

Board Appointments included, Joey Parker and Henry Sanger to the Fulton County Levee District Board; and Donna Howell to the Property Valuation Administration Board.

The Magistrates authorized the Treasurer and Finance Officer to make necessary end of Fiscal Year transfers.

Kitchens bills for the Fulton County Detention Center were approved, with Magistrate Paitsel asking, “Is the kitchen going to end? I’m seeing this bill again.”

Jailer Williams stated, “14 windows are expected to arrive in July, and this should complete the kitchen project.”

The Fiscal Court went into Executive Session pursuant to KRS 61.801(f).

After returning to open session the Magistrates learned of a Parkway Commission grant of $1,462.50, provided it is given to festivals. Fulton County has two festivals, Hickman’s Pecan Festival and Fulton’s Banana Festival and each would receive $731.25.

A proposed contract from the Department of Justice, for the leasing of the Courthouse building was reviewed, with an approximate $5,000 increase over last year, for 9,919 square feet. It was reported the reimbursable cost will be $113,000, and $95,000 for the space. Magistrates voted to accept the agreement.

Judge Martin updated the Magistrates regarding an option for county residents to pay for service by the Ken-Tenn EMS.

“A letter of proposal will be sent out to about 1,200 county residents. About 705 do not have a water meter, to collect the ambulance fee. The ambulance fee is going up to $17 and we are merely trying to have something for the 705 residents to have a way to pay. Checks received will be turned over to EMS and not run through the County’s books. Monthly or annual reminders will be sent depending on how the customer would like to receive,” Judge Martin said.

“There has been an effort to create a four state contact between Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, and Illinois, for economic development. I think we need to continue until we can find out that it is not to our advantage. A signing of all the paperwork will be held July 8, at Wickliffe,” reported Martin.

Judge Martin reported he will meet with the City Managers of Fulton and Hickman discuss ways to address issues with dogs, trash, fire protection and medical first responders.

Magistrates reviewed Chapter 5 of the Administrative Code pages 14 – 39, with no action taken.