Keith Shephard, middle, was recognized before the Fiscal Court for choosing to get his GED even after many years as a businessman within the Ohio County community.[/caption]
At the Nov. 26 meeting of the Ohio County Fiscal Court, the fiscal court had two recognitions, including a business owner receiving his GED and the county road foreman being certified by the state, the court gave money to the county animal shelter for discounted adoption fees and a fence for the property and added 4,500 feet of waterline to the waterline extension list.
— Before the Ohio County Fiscal Court got into the heart of its meeting, Ohio County Judge-Executive David Johnston asked Keith Shephard and his family and friends to come to the front of the stage in the auditorium.
Johnston presented Shephard with a plaque recognizing him for “the example you’ve set for the people of Ohio County.”
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Jason Ward of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, right, presented Jeff Miller a certificate from the state recognizing him as an official county road foreman at the last Fiscal Court meeting on Nov. 26.[/caption]
“Even though you were a businessman and a master of several trades, you still took the effort to set an example for others when you went and got your GED,” Johnston said.
Johnston gave the plaque to Shephard and expressed how proud he was of Shephard’s accomplishment.
— Jason Ward with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet came before the fiscal court to present county road supervisor Jeff Miller with a certificate from the state of Kentucky officially recognizing him as a county road supervisor.
Ward said Miller did a great job on the certification test and showed his “experience and knowledge.” Ward even mentioned he tried to stump Miller with extra tough questions, but Miller answered them as well.
Miller, who was hired by the county in February, thanked Johnston and the fiscal court for the opportunity.
“I’ll do what I can do. I think most of you all know that,” Miller said. “Thank you.”
— Ohio County Animal Control Officer Josh Wright came before the court seeking money so the animal shelter could reduce the rates of adoption fees for 25 animals. The promotion was called "The 25 Pets of Christmas.”
Wright figured if the fiscal court could give the animal shelter $1,250, the shelter could offer 25 adoptions for $25 a piece.
The fiscal court helped with the promotion last year. Fourth District Magistrate Larry Keown proposed each magistrate split the $1,250 and each pay $250 toward the adoptions.
First District Magistrate Michael McKenney asked Wright about a fence to go around the animal shelter. Wright said the animal shelter had been promised a fence, but the fence was no longer available. Wright believed $3,400 would cover the cost of the fence.
The fence would be used to keep anyone from getting too close to the animal shelter. It would be for both the shelter’s protection, as well as the public’s.
McKenney suggested the magistrates also divide up the cost of the fence and each pay for it out of their discretionary funds. Second District Magistrate Jason Bullock said each magistrate would have to pay $680 for the fence. It would cost each magistrate $930 for both the adoptions and the fence.
Keown made a motion the magistrates pay for the adoptions and the fence. McKenney seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
After the vote, Wright informed the court he would be putting together a year-end review of the animal shelter for the court in January. Wright said that for the first time, the county will finish with more adoptions than euthanasias.
— Third District Magistrate Brandon Thomas asked the fiscal court to add 4,500 feet of 3 inch waterline to the waterline extension list. The waterline was installed on Mount Herman Church Road and will benefit several homes. A resident of Mount Herman Church Road said he would pay for the materials if the county paid for the labor. The resident paid the Ohio County Water District to install the waterline. Thomas asked the county pay up to $6,000 to the Ohio County Water District to pay back the resident for the labor costs of the installation.
Thomas made a motion to add the $6,000 to the waterline extension list. Keown seconded the motion. After a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously.