WHITLEY CITY —
With the position having been vacant since January 2011, the McCreary County Fiscal Court last night approved the hiring of a new Economic and Development Director.
The search for a director was spearheaded in June by the newly-formed McCreary County Economic and Community Development Advisory Council. From a total of five candidates interviewed, the council notified McCreary County Judge-Executive Doug Stephens on Wednesday that they were recommending Susan M. Stephens for the job.
A McCreary County native, Stephens comes to the position from the University of the Cumberlands where she promoted the school’s Business Online Programs. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Eastern Kentucky University as well as an MBA from UC.
“The Advisory Board is very truly excited about the leadership role and the innovative spirit Susan will provide to our county,” the council’s recommendation letter stated. “We are certain that if we continue to work together, we can build a strong and stable environment for our county and for future generations.”
The fiscal court approved the recommendation with a 4-1 vote. In voting nay, magistrate Roger Phillips said that he had nothing against Stephens but felt that there were qualified candidates who currently live in the county.
In addition to traditional industrial recruitment, the director and council have been charged with overseeing the county’s small business revolving loan program as well as general community development.
Stephens was not the only new hire approved by the court. Rudy Young, 911/EM Director, presented Darrell Lee Ball II and Victoria M. Delaughter to replace two departing full-time dispatchers. EMS Director Jimmy Barnett presented Shawn M. Smith, Stephen T. Jasper Jr. and Joe Stephens for “PRN” positions, which fill in as needed. Jailer Tony Ball presented Kenny Kidd, Curtis W. Wadsack, Justin Wyatt and Sharon Toth as part-time deputy jailers to replace two part-time and one full-time positions.
In other business, fiscal court:
• approved a lease amendment for the Bell Farm-Fidelity Road. Currently owned by the Stearns Company, the road is expected to be part of a transfer to the US Forest Service. The amendment would keep the road open and allow for continued county maintenance.
• received a 2011-2012 budget report from McCreary PVA Bruce Lominac regarding expenditures related to income from fiscal court ($17,905); county clerk for tax bill printing ($2,997.90) and map/copy sales ($2,297.17). Lominac also noted that all tax rates should be set on August 23, when McCreary County Schools are expected to finalize their numbers. Property tax bills are expected to be mailed October 1.
• approved a CDBG grant application for an upgrade of the 50-year-old water treatment plant in Revelo.
• approved a $26,550 agreement with Riverine Systems LLC for culvert replacement on Little Rock Creek Road as part of a mitigation agreement for the park board to protect habitat for the endangered blackside dace.
• approved a resolution supporting a petition for a new veterans hospital proposed for Kentucky’s 5th Congressional District to serve 29 counties.
• heard from citizen Gabriel Jones, who asked the court to eliminate the occupational tax should voters opt for legalized alcohol sales. Judge Stephens said that the court would have to determine how much revenue an alcohol tax would generate if the measure passes before considering such action, while Magistrate Jason Mann asked if other wet counties also had an occupational tax. Deputy Judge Andrew Powell noted that alcohol sales tax is meant to offset the cost of emergency services and law enforcement, while the occupational tax supports other departments.
• heard an appeal from Judge Stephens for donations to help pay off bond for the Ten Commandments judgment. The county’s private donation fund is currently $4,000 short of the $12,964 quarterly payment due next month.
The next regular meeting of McCreary County Fiscal Court will be held September 10 at 4:30 p.m.
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