SALYERSVILLE – The Magoffin County Fiscal Court met in regular session on Tuesday, the first meeting for Interim Magoffin County Judge/Executive Donald Wayne McFarland, appointed my Governor Andy Beshear last Friday.
In the January 20 meeting, the fiscal court approved the following fund transfers from the general fund: $53,000 to the jail fund, $40,000 to the LGEA fund, and $50,000 to 911.
Under departmental reports, Deputy Judge Kevin Howard updated the fiscal court on ongoing projects, noting he had really good news on the community center. They have resealed the roof on the community center, which was plagued with ongoing water damage issues, but since that work was finished, they haven’t had any more leaks or damage. He said they are now working on replacing the ceilings, which is going really well. He said leaks have been a burden every year, but he vetted the company that resealed the roof and made sure they had good reviews and the work comes with a 20-year warranty.
The court approved former Judge/Executive Matthew Wireman from all bank accounts and authorized Judge McFarland, along with Deputy Judge Kevin Howard and Treasurer Josie Bailey as signatories on the accounts.
Under communications, Judge McFarland said, “We’ve hit the ground running for three days. I’ve got a big education fast. Things have changed a lot since I’ve sat where Travis sits [as county attorney]. Some things have changed; some things have not. I still see where the jail bills and the roads – everything was expensive then, and everything is more expensive now.”
“I’d like to tell everybody in Magoffin County I’m proud to sit here, albeit just for a year,” McFarland said. “I’ll be glad to do everything I can to help you. I’m glad there’s a good staff here now and I’m really tickled to see we have three really good magistrates. In the history of things, that hasn’t always been the case up and down. Sometimes magistrates and judges don’t always get along, but from what I’ve seen and what I’ve known, everybody sitting up here doesn’t care what party you’re in or what district you’re from, you guys have all seemed to work well together for Magoffin County. Just going over things with Kevin, again, Kevin, I had no idea how many hats you wore for the county. That’s why I appreciate everything you’ve done and I’ll be here to help.”
He also discussed ongoing projects and talking to Representative John Blanton, who had mentioned to him a couple things he’s trying to get through the legislature for funding, including the possibilities of a second industrial park and a new community center.
McFarland said he knows there are problems in the community, specifically noting the water and sewer issues that have recently been making headlines, but like many in the community, he said he had been trusting the administration to cover the fight.
“I’ll admit, just running a law office, I kind of get lost in county government,” McFarland said. “I kind of just trusted you guys to do what’s best for the county, and you have been, and I don’t worry about it much. I just go to work and pay my taxes, pay my employees and go home, hopefully for a bit of supper. I trusted you guys to do that as a taxpayer and you have – you’ve done really well in the last seven years. Looks like we do have some issues, and those issues are pretty hard to tackle. I’m proud of the industrial park. I hope we will break ground on that soon. We’ve got some issues with water – no doubt – and sewer and I’d like to fix those things. Some of that may take a miracle, I don’t know, but I can’t work miracles and I’m definitely too fat to walk on water. I just want to help keep the train on the tracks. I want to get along with everyone of you and I want you to call me or track me down if you have a problem. If I can help fix it, I’ll help. Everybody in Magoffin County, if you’ve got a problem, talk to me. I think you’ve got some really good magistrates representing your districts, and make sure you take your problems to them.”
With the upcoming forecasted winter storm, Judge McFarland explained that Deputy Judge Kevin Howard will be opening the community center as a warming center Friday through Sunday and as needed, with Judge McFarland emphasizing that anyone who loses heat, or is sleeping in cars, etc., should utilize the community center to stay safe and warm.
The next regularly scheduled Magoffin County Fiscal Court meeting is tentatively set for February 17 at 6 p.m. in the Magoffin County Court House Albert Patrick Building.
