In the regular scheduled bi-monthly meeting of the LaRue County Fiscal Court held Tuesday, May 9, the court approved the 911 inter local agreement with the City of Hodgenville, and approved the 911 center lease agreement moving the staff and systems from the courthouse to the city’s maintenance garage space beginning July 1. Currently no inter local agreement is on file, only an operating agreement.
“The desire of the court has been to grow the 911 center,” said LaRue County Judge Executive Blake Durrett. “The staff has achieved a level of professionalism that is very consistent with the best of the region in a mid-tier 911 level. They have done an excellent job.”
Durrett said it is important for staff to be able to access a bathroom or a kitchenette without leaving their station, and extra room is needed to expand the staff operating the center. He has worked with the City to look for alternative places to move the 911 center, but this agreement is the best choice.
Currently the City of Hodgenville pays the cost of salaries and half of the cost of the phone lines. With the increase of salaries, it’s the desire of the two entities making it fair to both parties, according to Durrett. The agreement is for a period of 25 years, renewable yearly, and includes rent of $24,000 per year, with the City paying water, sewer and electric for the center, and a flat rate of service for 911 service at the cost of $150,000.
In addition, an advisory board will be created with the Hodgenville Mayor, one member of the city council, the LaRue County Judge Executive, a member of fiscal court, LaRue County Sheriff, Hodgenville Police Chief, EMS director, Emergency Management director and one Fire Chief representing the volunteer stations from the county. The board will then communicate with the 911 dispatch director to implement policy, which should improve communications between the dispatchers and departments to communicate more effectively.
Magistrate Larry Howell made the motion to approve the agreement, which was approved unanimously by the court.
A Magisterial Reapportionment Commission was named to evaluate and recommend changes to the four magistrate districts. Tony Stewart, Jim Shaw and Leanne Ragland were named by the court. They will work alongside the Lincoln Trail Area Development District to account for the said population shifts, equally dispersing between districts.
Jailer Jody Perry gave an update that a new finger printing system was to be installed on May 16, tying the system to the Kentucky State Police. In addition, the home incarnation program, a new revenue stream for the jail, has been restarted, and with the request of District Court Judge Teresa McMahan-Miller, Hart County has been added. The first person in the program comes from Hart County. New stainless showers have been added to the jail, with a push button system installed which will reduce water usage and decrease maintenance and replacement cost for the jail.
Shannon McCubbins, Dog Warden, reported in the month of April, 7 cats and 13 dogs were taken to the shelter in Hardin County.
Sheriff Brian Smith reported 351 calls for service, 124 traffic stops, 190 citations issued, 111 papers served, 178 papers attempted and 38 arrests made for March and April combined. Smith stated this occurred with only four staff members.
Road department supervisor David Wood reported tree service on Tonieville Road continuing on Walter Reed Road, relocation on a water line on Jeffries Road as well as a new culvert, tile work on Rust Road, Hawkins Road, and Knob Schoolhouse Road. Crews were dispatched to assist in traffic on Weldon Loop for core samples, along with new signage on Summit Drive, and road repair on Cissal Hill, E. Leafdale and B.F. Brown roads, along with rock on Jones Street, Catlett, Tonieville, and McCubbins.
The next regular scheduled meeting of the Fiscal Court is set for May 23 at 9 a.m.
