Whitley County fiscal court approves budget amendments, grant resolution, sheriff policy changes and recovery projects

Whitley County Fiscal Court on Dec. 5 approved a package of routine fiscal and administrative actions, including two budget amendments, a resolution supporting a Kentucky Homeland Security grant application for clerk equipment, revisions to the sheriff's vehicle policies and the award of a FEMA-funded bridge project contract.

The court voted to adopt the meeting agenda with a late addition to recognize a youth group and then approved minutes, monthly claims and prepaid claims. The court passed second reading of Ordinance 2024-03 (budget amendment No. 5), which the treasurer said includes sizable FEMA reimbursements (one item dated to 2018). The body also completed first reading of Ordinance 2024-04 (budget amendment No. 6), which the treasurer said adds about $50,000 in residential garbage-collection revenue and includes jail-related line items.

On a separate item the court approved Resolution 2024-09, a statement of support for a Kentucky Homeland Security grant application to purchase roughly $11,000 worth of portable generators (10 units) for cooling locations; the grant requires no local match and is an application endorsement only, not an award. Clerk Carolyn Willis thanked staff and singled out Amber for assistance on the grant-writing effort.

Sheriff Bill Elliott presented proposed updates to the county’s policy and procedure manual regarding vehicle issuance, use, maintenance and the investigation of collisions. Elliott said the changes clarify investigation steps after agency-vehicle incidents and cited a pending lawsuit tied to a February 2017 collision as a reason to tighten procedures. The court approved both the policy revisions and an added section on collision investigation.

The court also awarded the bid for the Mulberry Hollow Bridge project in the Little Wolf Creek area, a FEMA-funded recovery project members said will complete a large portion of post-flood reconstruction in that part of the county.

Other routine business approved by the court included accepting the Whitley County Sheriff’s Office first-quarter report, reappointing Linda Carter and appointing Darlene Belew to four-year terms on the Whitley County Public Library Board of Trustees, and approving monthly employee pay rates.

Votes at a glance
- Adopt agenda (motion approved by roll call; unanimous yes)
- Approve prior meeting minutes (unanimous yes)
- Approve appropriation transfers (unanimous yes)
- Approve payment of claims (unanimous yes)
- Approve prepaid claims (unanimous yes)
- Ordinance 2024-03, second reading (budget amendment No. 5): approved by roll call
- Ordinance 2024-04, first reading (budget amendment No. 6): approved by roll call
- Resolution 2024-09 (support grant application for clerk equipment): approved by roll call
- Sheriff policy revisions and collision-investigation addition: approved by roll call
- Accept sheriff quarterly report: approved by roll call
- Award bid for Mulberry Hollow Bridge project (FEMA-funded): approved by roll call
- Appoint library trustees (Linda Carter reappointed; Darlene Belew appointed): approved by roll call
- Approve employee pay rates: approved by roll call

What the court did not decide: Resolution 2024-09 endorses a grant application; the award of grant funds is contingent on state review and is not guaranteed. Several FEMA reimbursements referenced in the budget amendment were described as long-pending; the treasurer said some items dated back to 2018 and that FEMA timing can be months or years.

The court adjourned after a brief recognition of an American Heritage Girls troop from Grace on the Hill.