GREENUP When Greenup County Attorney Matthew Warnock approached the podium during Tuesday’s fiscal court, Judge-Executive Bobby Hall’s face lit up more than commissioner Earnie Duty’s Christmas tie.
Warnock had good news as his office gave $100,000 to drop in the county’s general fund.
The office collects delinquent tax monies each year, Warnock said. During that process, taxpayers are responsible for a county attorney fee, which helps defer the costs of the collection process.
“The people of Greenup County deserve the best,” Warnock said. “Giving back to Greenup County should be one of the main goals of all public officials. The returning of this money is what is best for the county.”
In his first year as county attorney, Warnock has saved about $70,000 by reducing county costs, according to the attorney’s office.
“With these savings and the return of taxpayers’ money, the Greenup County Attorney’s Office has put $170,000 back into the general fund of the fiscal court,” stated a press release from the office.
Greenup County Jailer Larry Pancake announced the detention center is giving back $111,000 to the county.
Sheriff Matt Smith projected his office will “turn over more money than we’ve ever turned over” in January. The sheriff attributed that to having six more deputies than he had when the year began.
Other highlights from Tuesday’s meeting:
- Countywide Ambulance Authority Director Kevin Callihan said an opening day for the service is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 28, at 1 p.m. at the Little Sandy Volunteer Fire Department. The service will be fully operational when the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, he said.
- Pancake announced that his inmates have been replacing lights and repainting the underpass going into downtown Russell, which was originally built in 1925. He is advocating for a ribbon cutting and grand reopening to shine a light on the restoration.
- Hall proclaimed Dec. 7, 2023, Frank Hill Warnock Appreciation Day. The fiscal court recognized Warnock for his service as the county’s master commissioner and domestic relations commissioner for the last 45 years. Warnock, according to his son – County Attorney Matthew Warnock – has served under six circuit court judges since 1978.
- Anne Stephens, of the extension office, provided a few updates, including the farmers market project that has “been quite a long process.” The extension office has signed a contract with Early Construction for the pavilion, which is projected to be complete by May 2024.
- Greenup, Boyd, Carter, Elliott and Lawrence counties have agreed to a FIVCO interlocal agreement, Hall said. Any revenue will be divided evenly (20% each), per the agreement. Greenup County shall be the host county, Hall said.
- A citizen put pressure on the judge-executive and commissioners to grant his request of closing Justice Cemetery Road. “Your inaction means nothing,” he said, referencing previous conversations with Hall and the commissioners.
Hall then asked if he would give the county permission to erect a gate in an effort to thwart the destruction of property that has been occurring. “I’d love to have a gate up,” he said. “Give me the key to it, I’d love it.”
Hall said it will be challenging to close any roads at this time due to ongoing litigation stemming from the previous administration.
- The road department will purchase a backhoe for $144,950.60.
- The fiscal court accepted budgets for the county clerk’s and sheriff’s offices.
- County commissioners approved the posting of the Greenup County tourism director position with a starting salary of $40,000.
This story was originally published by THE DAILY INDEPENDENT, view the full story at dailyindependent.com.