Whitley County Fiscal Court approves budget amendment, equipment purchase and several routine actions

The Whitley County Fiscal Court met and approved a series of routine and programmatic items, including a second-reading budget amendment, several bond renewals for Sheriff William H. Elliott, a road grader purchase, and adoption of an unmanned aircraft system standard operating procedure.

The court adopted Ordinance 2023-07 on second reading to incorporate grant revenues and FEMA reimbursements into the county budget. Treasurer comments described the amendment as “positive” because revenues had already been received. The court also voted to accept a final payment from the county clerk for 2022 excess fees, which the clerk reported left $52.77 after audit adjustments.

The court awarded the bid for a 2015 road grader to Boyd Cat, authorizing that rental payments already made on the machine be applied toward the purchase. The court approved a county agreement with Medical Transport Solutions (MASA) to cover costs not paid by primary insurance when employees require ambulance or air transport. The court adopted standard operating procedures for an unmanned aircraft system (drone) to be added to Whitley County’s administrative code; staff said the drone (provided to the county by the area development district) includes thermal imaging, an external spotlight and extra batteries and that pilots will require recurring training.

The court approved multiple bond renewals for Sheriff William H. Elliott (public official bond, a tax-collection bond, and a state-advancement bond). It also approved a data‑sharing agreement for the Whitley County STAR team and the county health department to enable overdose tracking; County staff said partner agencies had already approved the agreement.

One item was tabled: an amendment to the sheriff’s third-quarter report. County staff and auditors noted that the amended report contained many zeroed year‑to‑date entries — including a reconciled bank-balance field — which appeared inconsistent with prior filings; the court moved to table the amendment pending correction. Several routine votes (approval of minutes, claims, prepaid claims, appropriation transfers, employee pay rates, and petitions to close or rename roads) were approved by roll call.

Votes at a glance: Ordinance 2023-07 (budget amendment) — adopted; MASA agreement — approved; Road grader bid to Boyd Cat — awarded; UAS SOP added to administrative code — adopted; Clerk 2022 excess fees — final payment accepted; Sheriff third-quarter amendment — tabled; Sheriff bonds renewals — approved; STAR team data agreement — approved; Petition to close Justin Court — approved; Road rename to Stardust Lane — approved; Employee pay rates — approved; KYEM contract modification (add-on) — approved.

The court adjourned after completing its agenda.