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Adair County Fiscal Court February Meeting Report By Tiffany Kessler Though the agenda was full for Tuesday night's regular Adair County Fiscal Court Meeting, one of the most surprising and pressing issues involved a dire need for law enforcement cruisers. "I currently have four cars that are at or above 200,000 miles," Sheriff Josh Brockman explained to the court. "These cars are breaking down on the way to calls. We've had to have other agencies pick up calls because cars have quit. A couple of days ago we had a transmission quit and I'm currently driving my own truck for work." Sheriff Brockman went on to say that the fleet of older vehicles, with current value less than the cost of repairs, leaves his department and the county in a tough position by putting public safety at risk. County Attorney Jennifer Hutchison Corbin agreed, "I think this is something the court should look at due to liability of when they [law enforcement officers] are called and can't get there. I've heard officers complain when it's really not a complaint, it's just a fact that they are having difficulties. I think it's bad that the sheriff doesn't have a vehicle as well," Corbin added. Sheriff Brockman stated his department needs four vehicles replaced. Currently, a USDA grant, approved last year but held up due to the government shutdown, will contribute $26,000 toward the purchase of two vehicles with a contribution of $48,504 from the fiscal court. The magistrates voted in favor of allowing Judge Executive Gale Cowan the ability to sign any needed documents pertaining to the grant. The agenda included the final 2018 tax settlement for the previous sheriff which originally stated a return of $8,000 back to the fiscal court, however, for various reasons (loss of a deputy, increased tax revenue, etc) the amount returned was unusually high at $53,772.93. With a complete understanding that the original $8,000 be submitted to the court, Sheriff Brockman humbly addressed the members present, "I respectfully plea for this court to consider earmarking as much of these funds as possible for the replacement of our vehicles." The idea to use the excess funds, plus a later request from the sheriff for ABC monies (totaling around $15,000), was tabled until after the Fiscal Court budget meeting scheduled for Wednesday, February 20, at 3:45CTpm in the annex basement. The meeting is open to the public. Adair Co. Clerk Lisa Greer Returns $200,000 to Fiscal Court Lisa Greer, who has served as Adair County Clerk since January 2015, presented the court with a check for $200,000 Tuesday night. The funds are part of her office's 2018 final settlement and are based on fees above what was originally budgeted. "Compared to counties surrounding us and relative to our size we do extremely well," said Greer. Magistrate Greg Caldwell publicly praised County Clerk Greer for her hard work, saying, "I think Lisa does a fine job. She's always returned quite a bit of money back to the court." City of Columbia Donates Needed Vehicle to 911 Center The fiscal court unanimously accepted a donation made by the Columbia City Police Department of a vehicle to be used by the 911 Center. Jason Upchurch, Director of the 911 Center, explained that the current car used for mapping and addressing is currently in really bad shape. The Crown Vic given to them by the City has less miles and is more functional. The court surplussed the older vehicle and Upchurch asked if the funds from selling the car be used to install safety striping and an Amber light on the new vehicle. The court approved this measure, voting all in favor. Jailer Joey White Requests Additional Employees Jailer Joey White addressed the court Tuesday night, "I need to hire some more staff. Our jail population has doubled in the last three years. It's a huge liability and we need more eyes." Jailer White said he currently has 23 full time employees and asked the court for permission to hire four additional full time staff. He explained that currently three part time employees have been receiving overtime pay because he needs the help. "In January, 15 inmates went to the hospital. I have to pay someone to do it." Magistrate Sammy Baker said he would like to see some numbers surrounding the idea before a decision is made and before the budget meeting on February 20th. Items Also Addressed During the Meeting: Two backhoe buckets of Cold Mix that, according to Road Foreman Barry Hamlett, would soon expire were put into surplus (by a majority vote) and given to the City of Columbia. Mike Mitchum, Chairman of the Columbia-Adair County Airport Board, and Penny Long, Bookkeeper, where in attendance to request an increase in the fiscal court budgeted amount for the airport from $7,000 to $7,700. Long said the amount the airport receives has been the same since sometime in the 1980s. The magistrates discussed that at this time financially it isn't possible and voted unanimously to keep the amount as is. The magistrates voted unanimously to allow Judge Cowan to sign Adair County up for the popular 2019 Waste Tire Event. The tentative date for this project is May 16-18 at the State Highway Department, 100 Service Road. All were in favor of Bobby Bowe serving a four-year term on the Hospital Board. He will be replacing Brad Keltner whose term is expired. Green River Animal Shelter (GRAS) presented their January report: Jimmy Harmon - 26 dogs and two cats; Green County - 10 dogs; Adoptions: 40; Rescued - 19. New flooring is complete at the Jim Blair Center. Magistrates present were: Sammy Baker, Harold Burton, Billy Coffey, and Greg Caldwell. Those absent were Chris Reeder, Daryl Flatt, and Terry Hadley. Meetings are open to the public. Regular meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 6pmCT in the basement of the Adair courthouse annex. Special called meetings are announced. This story was posted on 2019-02-15 05:49:42
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