Published: November 02, 2009 07:49 pm      

No decision yet on new 911 director

Somerset — No decision has yet been made in the search for the new Pulaski County 911 Director.

The search for a replacement for former director Rick Barker has been a long and arduous one, and during last week’s Pulaski County Fiscal Court meeting, it was announced that a decision would be delayed again.

Pulaski County Judge-executive Barty Bullock said the 911 Board, which had taken over the application process from fiscal court, asked that more information be given about the applicants. Once that information is received, Bullock said the board will decide on a replacement.

The 911 Board is made up of Pulaski County Sheriff Todd Wood, Somerset Fire Department Assistant Chief Skip Norfleet, Somerset-Pulaski County EMS Chief James Latham, Kentucky State Trooper Doug Boyd, Commonwealth’s Attorney Eddie Montgomery and Pulaski County Public Safety Director Tiger Robinson.

During last Tuesday’s meeting, the court also heard a request from Jewell Florea, with the non-profit organization People for Ethical Government, that the county work to update its Web site and allow the public to view certain documents relating to county business.

Stating that the updated Web site “will provide the perfect opportunity for you gentlemen (the court) to demonstrate your commitment to transparency,” Florea said that the organization requests that numerous county documents be placed on the Web site.

Fiscal court agendas, fiscal court minutes, current and past budgets, monthly, quarterly and annual finance reports, revenues and expenditures — including check numbers, dates, and purpose — and annual audits were some of those documents the organization asked the fiscal court place online.

Road work documents, including contracts, specifications, bids and awards, along with any equipment declared surplus, purchase price, date, and bids and sales were also asked to be placed online.

“Most of these records already exist in electronic form in the county’s computers, so placing them on the Web site should not require a tremendous amount of time and effort,” Florea said. “Now is the time to open the county checkbook to public inspection so that taxpayers can see how their money is being spent.”

The court did not comment, but Bullock thanked Florea for her request.

In other news from last week’s meeting:

• The court held the second reading of an ordinance to establish the Pulaski County Cemetery Board, an advisory board which would work under the authority of the fiscal court to help decide which cemeteries in the county are in need of preservation work, cleaning, and repairs. That board must be created so the county can receive state funding to help preserve those cemeteries.

The court also held a short public meeting to take questions and listen to concerns about the ordinance. No comments were expressed from the public.

• The court approved the clean-up of properties at 130 Carroll Street and 36 Parkway Court. No one currently lives on those properties.

• Public Safety Director Tiger Robinson informed the court that a new rescue boat for the Pulaski County Rescue Squad would be arriving within the week, but he said a digital sonar system to locate victims and bodies and objects such as cars in deep water has yet to be purchased. The court approved opening the bidding process for the sonar system, which Robinson said would cost between $30,000 and $40,000.

• The court approved taking Lisa Bella Road and Northern Crossing Road into the county road system. Bullock said a public hearing was held, and that no members of the public made any comments for or against the decision.

• The court approved removing the end portion of Cooks Chapel Road from the county road system. Bullock said several members of the public attended a public hearing about the decision, and that one person was in favor of the removal.

• A committee was appointed to study several roads. The court received a request that 2,663 feet of Country Acres Drive be taken into the county. 339 feet of Corner Drive was also requested to be taken in, along with 476 feet Field Drive and 466 feet of Country View Drive. Those roads are located in the same subdivision.

The court also appointed a committee to study Joshua’s Way. The court received a request that 180 feet of that road also be taken into the county road system. A committee will also look at Johnny Drive, in Hilltop Subdivision, to be taken into the road system.

• A request was also received by the court that the last 2,914 feet of Clines Road be removed from the county road system. A committee was appointed for that task as well.

• The court accepted the county health insurance plan for the next year.

• The court approved a 25 mph speed limit on William Sears Road.