By Charles Romans
Carter County Times
The Carter County Fiscal Court held a special session on April 22 at 4 pm to address concerns that could not wait until the regular May meeting. Items on the special session agenda included appointing a member to the Carter County Library Board, changing the status of two roads, and discussing the status of Emergency Management Personnel.
The court appointed Nellie Middleton as the new library board member, for a term of two years, beginning on April 22, 2024. Bids were also accepted from various vendors for the purchase of a new excavator, but no bid was chosen. Magistrates and the judge executive said they will look over the bids and begin the process of choosing a bid at the next regular meeting.
The status of two county roads was discussed, with the court voting to begin the process of removing Leatherwood Fork from the county road system and taking Mabry Lane into the system. Magistrate Harley Rayburn and judge executive Brandon Burton said they would schedule a visit to Leatherwood Fork and Mabry Lane and report back to council on the state of the roads.
In other action jail policy procedures were approved pending review, and the treasurer’s financial report was also accepted. Claims and transfers were approved by the court, as was the county clerk’s report. The unmined coal tax settlement was presented to the court, with sheriff Jeff May noting that though this settlement was just received, it is actually for 2021. May also presented the 2023 tax settlement, which the court approved.
Following a brief executive session in which no decisions were made, the court returned to the special session.
Before adjourning the court approved a motion to set the salary of Emergency Management director Adam Stapleton to $2,000 per month and appoint Jason Gillum to the position of deputy director of Emergency Management at $1,500 per month. A motion was also made and approved to authorize Gillum’s use of a county owned 2014 Dodge Ram for Emergency Management purposes. Gillum had previously been using his personal vehicle, but Stapleton pointed out that given the nature of the position personal vehicle usage might lead to insurance complications for the county.
The court also authorized the judge executive to begin negotiation to purchase a piece of property adjacent to the courthouse, up to the amount of $245,000.
Contact the writer at charles@cartercountytimes.com
