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| Taxpayers' friend, magistrates raise salary |
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| Written by Chaeli Glass | |
| Wednesday, 21 July 2010 | |
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By Chaeli Glass Going out with a bang, two members of fiscal court, who will not be magistrates next year, led a heated discussion on raises and taxes. In the July 13 meeting, Magistrates Steven Call and Kenny Souder wanted to decrease the insurance tax, while giving three county road employees substantial raises. Souder was defeated in District 3 by John Simms, Jr. Call did not run for magistrate, instead he chose to challenge incumbent Judge Executive Larry Foxworthy for the top elected county seat. While most positions and salaries weren’t discussed, a motion was made to radically change the salaries of three county employees. Souder made a motion to raise the pay of three employees whose primary duties are mowing. Souder said that James Hunt, John Neice, and Jason Reid should be paid as heavy machine operators with a pay scale of $13.23 an hour from May to October, the months when mowers are operated. The men are currently being paid $9.80 and $11.55 an hour, respectively. Jason Reid lives in Souder’s district according to public records. Judge Executive Larry Foxworthy said that changing the pay back and forth depending on the time of year may cause problems. Magistrate Doug Bowling said that he expected problems to arise from giving three men raises, but no one else raises. The motion carried 4-2. Magistrates Souder, Call, Allen Argo, and Larry Dearing voted in favor of the pay increase; Magistrates David DeAtley and Doug Bowling voted against it. “We’ve had a pay scale set up for 10 years for a reason. When we hire employees, they know the pay scale,” said DeAtley after the meeting. “A few years ago, we were worried about keeping jobs, and now all of a sudden, the court has passed a 20 percent and a 30 percent raise for three employees.” After the motion carried, Foxworthy said he was surprised it passed considering the new budget has not yet been balanced. With the new motion in place, taxpayers will see about $7,000 more paid collaboratively to these three employees in 2011. Foxworthy made a motion to rescind the pay raise. County Attorney John Price said that only Souder could rescind the motion. Souder did not. According to information from county judges executive offices in the region, mowers in Bath, Nicholas, Lewis and Robertson counties are paid $10.50, $8, $9, and minimum wage, respectively. State employees who mow are paid $10.20 an hour and receive raises based on longevity, according to the state transportation office. Another motion not on the agenda was made by Call, who is running for judge executive and campaigning as the tax payer’s friend. He proposed that the county’s insurance premium tax be lowered by two percent. Price said that a new ordinance would be the only way to change the tax, and it could not be done until July 2011. Call and Souder said that Foxworthy originally stated that the tax would be lowered if a certain amount of revenue was generated. They said that the dollar amount has been met, and therefore the tax should be lowered. Foxworthy said that the county needs the income from the insurance premium tax. He said that no one could have predicted the financial troubles of the current time, and the county needs the income for roads, salaries, facilities, equipment and other business. Foxworthy said that the average family who pays $150 a month in insurance premiums is paying about nine dollars a month in insurance premium taxes at the current rate of six percent. Souder said he thinks the tax is unfair because it makes exceptions. Currently, the tax excludes farmers’ crop insurance, firefighters, churches, non-profits, and businesses of less than five employees. Souder said people in his district felt it was unfair. When Foxworthy asked who or how many people in his district thought it to be unfair, Souder said he didn’t know. Foxworthy said he agrees that the tax should be looked at, but taking away county revenue could shut the county down. Bowling said he didn’t think it was wise to give raises to three employees, then cut the county’s income. DeAtley voiced concern about being able to afford to hire a new employee if revenue was going to be cut. In other business, Foxworthy suggested that the county use litter abatement money to start a Trash for Cash program. Non-profit groups, such as school and church youth programs, could pick up litter along county roads in order to raise funds. Steve Donovan reported that plans have been made to build a pavilion at the Goddard Bridge. Foxworthy said they should be sure certified drawings are not required. In response to the Greenbrook subdivision’s request for county road maintenance, Scotty Royse and David DeAtley were appointed to review the roads and report next month. Fleming County hospital CEO Davie Lloyd said the contract with the Whitaker Company has been terminated due to breach of contract on their part. The company has failed to provide doctors for the ER on several occasions. In addition, patient surveys show 90 percent satisfaction in surgery and only 70 percent satisfaction in the ER. Three companies were considered, and ultimately the hospital board chose the Shumaker Group, which will start Oct. 1 with a new staff of doctors in the ER. Souder asked why local physicians did not work in the ER. Lloyd said that the local doctors are too busy with their own clinics. After County Clerk Jarrod Fritz gave a short report, Souder asked him what type of voting machines would be used in the upcoming election. Fritz said that the old 1242 machines would be used as well as the new E-slate machines. Fritz said that new 1242 machines cost $4,500 and parts are not made for them anymore. Fritz said that paper ballots are very expensive because of the cost of the required paper that must be ordered. The E-slate machines were purchased with grant money. John Price said it is the decision of the Fiscal Court what machines are used in elections. Larry Dearing asked Fritz about courthouse employees double parking and parking in 15 minute spots. He said he thinks the police should start giving out tickets. “Most other employees have parking that’s convenient to the building where they work,” said Fritz. Sherriff Scotty Royse reported that his office purchased three fully equipped Crown Victorias for $10,000. The sheriff’s office has a new employee who has recently finished training. Bowling said people in his district are complaining about dogs in Craintown. Foxworthy said he also received calls about the problem. Foxworthy said he went to the site of the problem and demanded it be rectified or the dog warden would be replaced. |
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