ARPA discussions dominate Fiscal Court

Jennifer Moonsong

Publisher/Jobe Publishing

Central Division

 

At the December 14 regularly scheduled meeting of the Metcalfe County fiscal court, the use of ARPA (America Rescue Plan Act) funds was the main topic of discussion.

Lorrie Boston, finance officer, was present to discuss the allotment of those funds.

“I’m learning as I go,” Boston said, regarding the understanding and distribution of the premium pay. Rather than dividing premium pay amongst county employees that are eligible- including employees in the clerk’s office, the county attorney’s office, and the sheriff’s office based on hours, Fiscal Court is doing the payouts in lump sums.

Each full-time employee, not counting elected officials and contract employees, will receive $3,000. Each part-time employee will receive $1,500.

“Can’t we give each employee more?” Said Ronnie Miller, magistrate.

“There are only specific ways that this money can be used, and we have other needs in the county. We have people in the county that still need waterlines,” replied Judge/Executive Stilts.

Also, present to discuss ARPA funds, was Joe Middleton, Ambulance Service Director.

Middleton stated that the funding could be used for the recruitment and retention of paramedics and EMTs, and the ambulance service is requesting that fiscal court make monies available to employees of the ambulance service.

Middleton stated that there are currently four crews, totaling eight people that work in Metcalfe County. According to Middleton, those employees logged 24,086.36 hours between March of 2020 and February of 2021.

“Put that money to use for these people,” said Middleton.

The fiscal court took it into consideration, but made no decision.

Ken Childers was present to discuss the reorganization of the Metcalfe County Rod and Gun Club.*

Emory Kidd was on the agenda to discuss the approval of the 2021 MPG contract, and give a FEMA update, but was not present. Scotty Mosby addressed the court about approval to amend the solid waste hauler ordinance. The court also approved the advertisement for bids on new voting machines and heard commentary about the 15 new machines from County Clerk Shannon Fields.

“We have used the current machines for about 16 years and hope for the lifetime of the new machines to be about the same,” Fields. The fiscal court also appointed Ronnie Smith to the extension board.

The court also approved the November financial statement, budget, inter-fund transfers, and claims.

*This topic is being discussed at length in a separate article in next week’s paper.