Fulton County Fiscal Court alters Sheriff’s Office salary, fringe payment procedures

During the Aug. 15 monthly session of the Fulton County Fiscal Court, the Court discussed the Tax Rates for Fulton County for 2022-2023.

Fulton County Judge/Executive Jim Martin reported the Real Estate Tax is currently 13.8¢/$100 of assessed value and personal property is 13.3¢/$100 assessed value.

" If we take the compensating rate we have a net loss of $139. If the personal property tax were to remain the same we will have a net increase of $3,039.70,” Judge Martin said.

Judge Martin recommended the Court take the compensating rate of 12.9¢/$10 for real estate and 13.3/$100 for personal property.
The Magistrates approved this action.

Magistrates Jim Paitsel, Wade Adams, Hugh Caldwell and Shaun Parks were present.

Magistrates approved the minutes from the regular meeting on July 11 and special called meeting on July 21.

An amendment to the 2022 Annual Maximum Salary Order for the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office in the amount of 203,917.31 for full-time salaries and wages, part-time salaries and wages, Kentucky Law Enforcement Foundation Program Fund (KLEFPF), and dog expenses.

The amendment fixes annually the maximum amount, including fringe benefits, which the officer may expend for deputies and assistants during calendar year 2022 at $203,917.31.
The County Treasurer’s Report by Leslie Woods; Transfers; and Employees was approved.

While discussing the Bills, payment for fringes for the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office was considered and reviewed.

“The auditor recommended the Fiscal Court put the money for fringes into the payroll account directly and pay out, rather than paying the Sheriff’s Office, and then the Sheriff’s Office in turn give back to the County,” Judge Martin said.

Kayla Mullis, Fulton County Deputy Sheriff Bookkeeper said she had talked with the current Sheriff and the incoming Sheriff and they do not want to handle it in this way .

"It will create a bookkeeping issue with me,” she said.

Martin stated it is up to the Fiscal Court to make the decision.

"The auditors have said this is the most complicated payroll they have seen and we are trying to correct the auditor’s findings that continuously occur,” he said.

Upon the recommendation of Judge Martin, the Magistrates voted to send the payment for fringes for the Sheriff’s Office into a payroll account.

Discussion of supplement insurance was conducted, and following the recommendation of Judge Martin, the Magistrates voted the County employees are to pay for their own supplementals, rather than having them held out of their payroll checks, effective Sept. 1.

The Magistrates discussed a contract with Commonwealth of Kentucky and Fulton County Detention Center (FCDC) on Department of Corrections (DOC) Jail Payments per HB 151 for medical allotment and daily per diem.

In the contract, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) is entered into, by ad between the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, Department of Corrections (the Commonwealth) and the Multi Kentucky County & Regional Jails (the Contractor) to establish an agreement for program facilitator services. The initial MOA is effective from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2024.

Magistrates approved the MOA between the Commonwealth of Kentucky and Fulton County Detention Center.

J.L. Atwill, Fulton County Emergency Director, reported application had been made for a grant for a new radio console for Fulton County Dispatch and funds received were $105,142.40.

Magistrates also approved the contract with Commonwealth of Kentucky and Fulton County Fiscal Court for the 911 Service Grant.

Revisions to the Administrative Code were considered by the court.

“We review the Administrative Code annually to make necessary changes. I am handing out Resolution No. 22-07 and ask you to look over and let me know of any changes you recommend so that we can vote on them next month,” Judge Martin said.

The resolution states on July 1 of each year, all full-time employees that have completed one year service shall receive two personal days, and All full-time employees of the County, that have completed the probationary Period, shall be eligible for a health insurance plan as provided by and occasionally altered by the Fiscal court. As of July 1, 2022, the FCFC reserves the right to change the level of contribution at any time. Normall the insurance plan changes effective July 1 of each year. Any change made by FCFC relative to county contribution to plan cost should be made by amending this section of the Administrative Code.

“Comp time needs to be looked at. We have a clause for hourly employees for vacation and sick pay, but do not have one in place for salaried employees. We have employees that come and help during disasters and they should be compensated for their time,” Martin continued.

“I have also included a change in the meal costs while traveling overnight. Meals shall not exceed $50. When travel involves five or more hours, but does not include overnight stay, meals shall not exceed $7.50 for breakfast, $10 for lunch and $17.50 for dinner. The County will not reimburse employees for snacks or any other food items other than during normal meal times. Tips for meals are reimbursable providing they do not exceed 15% to the base cost of the meal,” Martin said.

Official License Plates for Constables for personally owned vehicles was discussed.

According to a letter from the Commonwealth of Kentucky Transportation Cabinet “the statute for state-owned vehicles is KRS 186.060. KRS 186.060 expressly authorizes the use of official license plates on vehicles exclusively owned or leased by a county, city, urban county, or board of education, or emergency and ambulance vehicles operated by non-profit corporations organized by units of government in the state or by the state or federal government shall be accompanied by a statement from the head of the department of the government unit that leases or owns the motor vehicle certifying that the motor vehicle is leased or owned by the governmental unit."

Nowhere in this language does it specifically authorize a constable to obtain an official license plate on his personally owned vehicle or one titled to a particular voting district.

Magistrates agreed to compile a list of concerns and provide them to the Judge to review.

Magistrates considered funding payment of Bond Anticipation Note.

Regarding the funding payment of the Bond Anticipation Note, Martin said the county has received $1,058,645. "The State reimbursed us very quickly. We are able to file $57,000 for a safe grant and can place the remaining funds in the Sinking Fund. Any transfers will need to be approved by the Court. I recommend we place $196,000 into the sinking fund in September and work through March 2024 and pay off the debt,” Martin said.

Magistrates approved the recommendation of the Judge.

An amendment to the salary order was discussed, with Judge Martin reporting when the salary was set, he moved some numbers but forgot to move over the pay for the Magistrates.

"The salary will be $1,487 per month through December, and then start at $1,000 in January 2023. There is also one employee that has changed from full-time to part-time,” Martin said.

Following the recommendation of the Judge, Magistrates voted to approve the amendment to the salary order.

The court was updated regarding Setpoint Heating and Air's proposal to perform work at the Fulton County Courthouse.

The scope of the work will include providing monthly service and operational checks of the courthouse HVAC equipment; comprehensive boiler service in the Fall and comprehensive chiller service in the Spring; and replacement of return air filters quarterly.

Clarifications included Setpoint will provide filters as needed at additional cost, once current stock is used; and repairs of discovered issues and needed parts and materials shall be performed and provided at additional cost as they arise.

Pricing for completion of the scope of work as defined is $9,300, with billing be submitted quarterly in the amount of $2,325.

The Magistrates approved the bid from Setpoint Heating and Air contract for the Fulton County Courthouse, with the State to reimburse the County.

The Court approved a bid for the 200 Block Roof of Fulton County Detention Center from Swift Roofing, Inc. of Murray, Ky., in the amount of $157,840.

Specifications and cost for the roof replacement of the metal roof include removing existing meal roof and properly disposing of the debris; install new Ice and Water shield over metal deck; over Ice and Water shield install new 26-gauge prefinished metal R-Panel attached to the metal deck; and install new metal trims at eaves, rakes, and ridge.

Steven Williams, Fulton County Jailer, requested the Court tsurplus two vehicles and the remainder of fencing, as is condition.

Fulton County Clerk Naomi Jones requested to surplus her old voting machines.

Magistrates approved the Jailer and Clerk’s requests.

Also coming before the Magistrates was consideration of a proposal on financial management analysis.

“No one wants to take on auditing our accounts to get them corrected. I have spoken with Trevor Hurst with Thompson, McConnell, & Hurst CPAs PLLC, and he is favorable. When the current Treasurer took over, no accounts balanced. April and myself have agreed to look over this also. There are two issues to be addressed. The audit findings and to get beyond , and try and solve the unbalanced issues. The fee for the services is estimated to be $3,500,” Martin said.

Following the recommendation of the Judge to seek help from outside the County, the Magistrates voted to approve the proposal for financial management.

In other business, relating to ditches in Cayce Judge Martin reported bid specs are "pretty detailed and we want to do it right. "

"There are five different owners we need to work with, and they will be able to decide to burn and bury on site or have it hauled off. The sediment in the bottom of the ditches is not covered,” Martin said.

Magistrates approved the action to accept bids to be opened Sept. 9, at 10 a.m. and bring the information before the Court Sept. 12 to approve or reject.

Judge Martin stated he would like to see the Carnegie Library and old health department be turned into adult training program buildings.

“We need a place to train adults to help with the economy and this will be one way to help. I feel we can get the money to repair it and rededicate fit for the workforce,” Martin said.

It was reported an application has been submitted to repave some of the roads in Cayce following the tornado for $75,000, or $105/ton with a two-inch surface.

In other business, the Court was informed the Gibson building is still waiting on final approval from the CDBG, following their request an architecture firm draw up plans. The new estimated cost is $724,000, up from the original $90,000.

“It has been suggested to name the building Mills Point and the community room as the Dr. Richard White room,” Martin said.

Martin updated the Magistrates regarding a Zoom meeting for the new Fire and Rescue Building in Cayce held last week. He reported the insurance adjuster did not take the new building codes under advisement.

"We should be getting a new quote and see what will be funded. It should be a better, stronger building with a safe room for Cayce residents,” Martin said.

Fulton County Fire and Rescue Captain Wade Adams one of the trucks received by them had been donated to the Columbus Fire Department.

"One of the trucks we received is so long it would not have fit into the old fire building we had,” he said.

Fulton County Attorney Rick Major requested the Magistrates authorize the County Judge/Executive to sign the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Participation Agreement when it comes back to the court for a signature.

Hickman City Attorney Leanna Wilkerson noticed the part of where disputes were to be made and that language has been changed, he said.

Magistrates approved authorizing the Judge to sign the Participation Agreement.

Fulton County Jailer Williams reported currently there are 463 inmates at Fulton County Detention Center.
"We can open the annex for an additional 36 beds. Also, the Commissary account is doing well,” Williams reported.