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Fiscal Court gives go ahead for Road Department auction

September 15, 2010|Michael Broihier

The Lincoln County Fiscal Court dealt with some routine business before retreating to a lengthy, closed session to discuss personnel issues regarding the jail and the Sheriff’s office. No action was taken on the sheriff’s personnel, but the court did approve an exception to county employment policy to facilitate Jailer David Gooch hiring a new administrative assistant.

Typically, when the county hires new employees, they are under a 90-day probationary period where they do not enjoy any insurance benefits. It costs the county $567 to buy an insurance premium per month per employee whether they work all month or just one day, and the county holds off on paying for insurance in case an employee doesn’t work out.

Gooch had requested a waiver to the policy to be able to use immediate coverage as an incentive to induce a qualified candidate to hire on for the job. Magistrate Jim Adams said, “This is a key position, and he has to be able to offer insurance as an incentive.”

Magistrate Terry Wilcher expressed concern that if the jailer got the waiver, it would begin a long line of other county managers asking for the same waiver as incentives for their hiring requirements. Wilcher was the lone “no” vote in a motion that passed giving Gooch the hiring horsepower he requested.

In other business, the Fiscal Court approved a list of 30 pieces of equipment the Road Department declared excess and cleared them for public auction. County Road Engineer Alan Bowman told the court that there will be a reserve on each piece based on its scrap value to ensure “we’re not giving things away.” The auction will be conducted by Napier Brothers at 10 a.m. on Sept. 24 at the Road Department.

Stanford EMS Director Ashley Powell received tentative permission to begin making plans to build a new home for the ambulance company on property now owned by the county near the Road Department and the Animal Shelter. Powell is looking for a piece of property at least two acres in size that will allow Stanford EMS to move out of the St. Asaph’s Creek flood zone and also be big enough to house a centralized training facility for all county first responders.

Powell said by giving the company deed to the land, it will increase his leverage when applying for loans and grants for new construction. Magistrates referred the deed issue to County Attorney Daryl Day to ensure that the property would return to county ownership if Stanford EMS fails to build a new facility.

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