Magsitrates presented with broadband options for county

Fulton County Magistrates agreed to enter into a bond anticipation debt to increase the debt level for Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursement for the Dec. 10, 2021 tornado clean-up, following a public hearing preceding the March 14 regular session of the Fulton County Fiscal court.
Magistrates Jim Paitsel, Wade Adams, Hugh Caldwell, Shaun Parks, and Fulton County Judge/Executive Jim Martin were in attendance.

Dan Rodamaker, Gibson Electric President and CEO, and Charles Phillips, Vice President of Technical Services attended the session to give an update on Gibson Connect internet service in Fulton County.

“We want broadband to all members and trying to get it into Kentucky. It was needed yesterday, not tomorrow. I would like to thank you for the help to get members restored following the tornado in December. We replaced poles and lines of service. We have installed 70 miles of fiber in Fulton County with a $1.4 million investment,” Rodamaker said.

“KIA (Kentucky Infrastructure Authority) is moving slower than we thought. Materials have been purchased and we are ready to go. We applied for $5 million on a $12 million project to help keep the cost low for every member. Internet can be installed with no up-front cost, only the $20 registration fee, which will be deducted from the first bill,” Phillips said.

Rodamaker shared with the court, Bruce Kimbell the local board member in this area, is one of a 12 member board, which voted unanimously to work on getting internet to every member in the Kentucky and Tennessee districts.

“This would not be possible without a committed board,” he said.

“We are working with the cities of Fulton and Hickman to be able to offer service to their municipalities,” Rodamaker added..

“We hope you can work something out with them,” Judge Martin said.

Rodamaker explained there is no reason for people in the rural areas to not have the same service as the big cities.

“This is a monumental task and it will come together,” Rodamaker said.

Phillips said the city municipalities have been working with Gibson Electric.

Ashley Fortner, Ken-Tenn Emergency Medical Service Administrative Assistant, updated the Court everything has ordered, except for the tablet, to run the service’s mannequin for training.

“We hope we can get it in and reimbursed before the end of the fiscal year,” Fortner said.

Fulton County Dispatcher Robert Griggs reported four bids were received for new consoles.

“Unified Solutions of Wheeler, West Virginia quoted $88,442; Area Wide Communications of Medina, Tenn. $116,442; B&E Electronics of Jackson, Tenn. $123,726; and Mobile Communications of Paducah $297,999,” Griggs reported.

Following discussion and recommendation from Griggs, the Magistrates voted to go with the quote from Area Wide Communications.

Magistrates voted to approve the Fulton County Clerk Naomi Jones’s Year End for 2021; Fulton County Sheriff Derek Goodson’s Year End for 2021; and County Treasurer Leslie Woods’ Report.

Magistrate Paitsel questioned two bills from Hickman Motors, Inc., for $795 to replace a back tail light on a road truck and the other to replace a windshield and running board from hail damage on a Sheriff’s vehicle for $706; inmate meals; Capital One credit card charge; and still paying interest on credit cards.
Paitsel also questioned a meal from Subway.

Fulton County Jailer Stephen Williams said the meal from Subway was a meal for a training.

“It was better to get sandwiches, than to dismiss everyone to go and get something to eat and return in time to complete the training,” Williams said.

Magistrates voted to approve the payment of $106,000 for the debris contractor and debris removal.

“The Department of Transportation contacted me to say we are approved for $106,000 for the state’s portion of the debris clean-up. We had 38.154 cubic yards of debris hauled. The County’s volunteer credit hours exceed the portion of what the County will have to pay once for their portion,” Martin reported.

Magistrates approved Transfers; Fulton County Employees; Second reading of Ordinance 22-1 and approval of adoption of order for publication; and approval of notice of hearing on April 6, at 10 a.m. for Bond Anticipation Notes to be paid by FEMA reimbursement for tornado damage in Frankfort.

Discussion was held on Surplus Property and Magistrates voted to advertise on GovDeals.com to sell the property.

The Court approved the purchase of covers for the new voting machines to help keep them clean; approved the recommendation from Fulton County Jailer Williams for the bid from Kellwell Food Management of Beattyville, Ky. for kitchen bids; following the recommendation of Jailer Williams approved the purchase of Kubota mowers from 1st Choice Farm; and approved the Fulton County Detention Center Policy and Procedures Manual, with no changes from last year.

Fulton County Attorney Rick Major reported, “I have contacted William D. “Bill” Bowen of Milan, Tenn., about proceeding with collections from former Fulton County Jailer Ricky Parnell. The U.S. Attorney in Bowling Green has stated Parnell is on home incarceration with an ankle monitor and must get permission to leave home. Parnell has to report to Bowling Green weekly for drug testing. He is to make his first restitution payment March 15 for $500 and has 12-1/2 years to pay it off. Bowling Green has asked us not to take the car so Parnell can make it to his weekly appointments. Because Fulton County has started looking into collections, we are six to eight months ahead of schedule. Technically he is still in jail.”

Magistrates voted to wait to see if Parnell pays the $500 monthly, and if he doesn’t ,they will look into seizing the vehicle.

Magistrate Paitsel abstained from voting.

Judge Martin reported Budget preparations have begun and the State is recommending a CPI (Consumer Price Index) of seven percent.

Magistrates voted to pass the seven percent on to the employees.

The Court also approved the increase in the maintenance department by one and to increase the supervisor wage to $23 per hour.

Martin informed the Magistrates “Money is available if you know where to look because of COVID, and disasters.”

“The USDA found four states to work with and one is Kentucky. There are five counties in Kentucky eligible, both demographically and geographically for Rural networking. Fulton County is among the five, and the other four are in Eastern Kentucky. This is the biggest game changer seen in some time,” Martin said.

The next meeting of the Fiscal Court will be April 11, at 9 a.m.