SALYERSVILLE – The Magoffin County Fiscal Court met in regular session on Tuesday, February 17.
The fiscal court approved the following fund transfers from the general fund: $65,000 to the jail fund, $95,000 to the road fund.
Interim Magoffin County Judge/Executive Don McFarland said he and the county attorney will meet with Judge Childers and Judge Prater to see of they could consider some alternative options, like house arrest for applicable non-violent inmates, to help lower the jail costs for the county.
The court accepted $10,000 in 2025 excess fees from the Magoffin County Clerk’s office, with County Clerk Renee Shepherd saying she will have more after her audit.
During departmental reports, Deputy Judge Kevin Howard said they are working on the old restrooms that were original to the Ramey Memorial Park. He said they’ve found some plumbing problems. Since it’s a joint venture with the city, the city sent a plumber over there, but the county has had to break into a bunch of concrete and into the walls and found the main problems and replaced the pipes. He said that was the major problem to be able to reopen the park and they should have the bigger restrooms ready to open up this summer.
Howard also updated the court on the water projects on Rt. 378, stating the environmental review has been approved and the plans have been submitted to the Division of Water. The issue they have is they need additional funding to extend the water lines on 378, which is the hold up, but they’re working through it, but it will take more time.
The court approved incentive pay for elected officials upon completion as required by the Department of Local Government.
They also approved a resolution for Judge/Executive Don McFarland to execute required documentation to the Kentucky of homeland Security on behalf of the Magoffin County Sheriff’s Office.
The court also approved a resolution urging the Kentucky General Assembly to pass house Bill 557, which would help counties with regional jails to reimbursed for state inmates.
They approved to appoint Ronald Williams to fill the unexpired term on the Magoffin County Extension District Board, which will run through the end of this year.
Judge/Executive McFarland said he wanted to make an appointment out of federal funds for the opioid abatement liaison, noting he received an application from Sasha Salyer and the qualifications seem to be impeccable, he said. He motioned to hire Salyer for that position and the court passed the motion.
Under communications, he thanked the community for being patient during the recent difficult weather, as well as the road department, courthouse staff, and everyone who helped to keep everything running.
On the ambulance situation, McFarland said he has never regretted not having social media, and he doesn’t buy into AI, but he has been on the phone various times with the president of Patriot Ambulance Services. He said on Saturday it was sounding more positive that they were not going to have to pull out of the county, but by Tuesday, he said it was not sounding as reassuring, so he’s working on backup plans. He said he is in contact with two other companies and another county for assistance. He said if Patriot has to pull out of the county next week, they will do whatever it takes to make sure the county is covered.
“I’ve got a dad with early-onset dementia,” McFarland said. “I’ve got a daughter who is almost six months pregnant. I’ve got MS, myself; I’ve got medical issues. Every magistrate, every person up here has family with medical issues. Would it make sense for anyone up here to have anything but the best for Magoffin County? So, we’re not going to let this happen. We’re not going to let Magoffin County go without services.”
He said he’s working with the other companies and counties to each cover portions of the county to get full county coverage until a better plan can be put in place.
He asked for the public’s patience and understanding while they find short term and long-term solutions.
To read Patriot Ambulance Service’s prepared statement about their current issues, see page A1.
The next regularly scheduled Magoffin County Fiscal Court meeting is slated for March 17 at 6 p.m. at the Magoffin County Courthouse Albert Patrick Building.
