The total amount in the invoice was for $16,864.25. The main item that drew a red flag from the fiscal court was a surveillance system in the amount of approximately $3,450.
The surveillance system is located at the main BCVFD headquarters. The system was put in place because of some recent alleged thefts that occurred.
The headquarters did have a surveillance system in place prior to the incidents, but its capabilities were minimal, according to the fire department.
The main concern from the BCVFD was that firefighters would show up at the scene of a fire and not have the equipment needed to perform their duties.
“Our purpose in the fire suppression fund is to provide the fire department ... with the ability to suppress fire so that insurance rates stay stable,” said Executive Court Judge Albey Brock.
After a unanimous vote, the fiscal court decided to deny reimbursement on the surveillance system. The final amount reimbursed to the BCVFD was $13,397.15.
The fiscal court also made a payment to Bernadine Mills for heating fuel for the Arjay Fire Station on election day in the amount of $81.23. The reason for this is because there was not enough fuel in the heating system for the heat to “kick on” the day prior to election day.
The heat was needed to proceed with election activities. The amount was labeled as an Election Commission cost.
“It was pretty clear by Judge (Robert) Messer ... that those buildings are to be in a condition to conduct election day,” stated Brock. “The failure to have heat there (the station) that day was in direct defiance of Judge Messer’s orders.”
After discussion on the payment to Mills, the court approved a resolution supporting the use of multi-county severance tax funds for the Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College Project.
This is for a mortuary school that the college is trying to start. Currently, there is nowhere in the surrounding area where an individual can get a mortuary license.
In the sheriff’s report, it states that the Bell County Sheriff’s Department made 63 arrests and conducted 137 vehicle inspections in the month of November. They participated in 1,134 activities in the month.
Brock did make comments about the winter season that is upon us. “We are more prepared this year, with snow and ice, than we have ever been,” stated Brock. He stated that there is new equipment in place and a new routing system that will allow workers to work toward the garage instead of everyone trying to get to the garage and work their way out.
He did stress that in the event of bad weather, anyone who has a vehicle parked where the trucks need to turn around should move their vehicles prior to the snow or ice, if possible.
Other business taken care of at the meeting included:
• Approval of minutes from previous meeting.
• Pay bills and make necessary transfers.
• Approve payments of $689,084.17 to Kay & Kay Contracting, LLC for work performed on the Industrial Park Access Road.
• Approve first reading of Budget Amendment No. 4.
• Approve amended budget for Bell Co. Clerk’s 2011 fee account for unanticipated receipts.
• Approve excess fees for FY 2009-2010 for Becky Blevins, Bell Co. Clerk.
• Approve annual order setting maximum salaries for deputies and assistants for the Bell Co. Clerk.
• Approve Bell Co. Clerk’s budget for fee amount for calendar 2012.
• Approve annual order setting maximum salaries for deputies and assistants for the Bell Co. Sheriff’s Officer.
• Approve Bell Co. Sheriff’s budget for fee amount for calendar year 2012.
• Hire Leah Portillo as part-time animal shelter worker at $7.25 per hour effective 12-15-11.
• Change Jordan Partin from part-time to full-time animal shelter worker effective 12-15-11.
• Change Eddie Farmer from part-time to full-time deputy jailer effective 12-15-11.
• Hire Randy Miracle as full-time mechanic at the Bell Co. Road Department at $11.00 per hour effective 12-13-11.
• Accept checks from Bruce Bennett, Sheriff in the amount of $219,815.25.
• Accept checks from Becky Blevins.
Anthony Cloud is a staff writer for the Middlesboro Daily News. He can be contacted via e-mail at acloud@heartlandpublications.com.
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