Finances

Kentucky State Police have initiated an investigation into the finances of Pioneer Vocational Industrial Services, a detective confirmed Friday. Brian Reeder with the Drug Enforcement/Special Investigations (DESI) unit told The Advocate-Messenger a case has been opened regarding the non-profit company that has provided manufacturing jobs and rehabilitation to people with disabilities since 1969. In addition to drug investigations, DESI is also the main financial crimes division for KSP. Reeder said he had begun interviewing people in connection with the case, but did not elaborate on the nature of the investigation or any individuals who may be the subject.

FRANKFORT - The annual state audit of the Lincoln County Clerk's office has come back squeaky clean. County Clerk Sonny Spoonamore's financial statements are accurate and auditors found no instances of non-compliance or problems with internal controls, according to press releases from State Auditor Adam Edelen's office. Finding no deficiencies in internal controls means Edelen's office has determined Spoonamore's office has all the proper procedures in place to detect and correct financial misstatements in a timely manner.

Jessamine County Fiscal Court ended 2012 with a cash balance of a little more than $5 million, according to the financial statement approved by the court Tuesday. The statement, which reflects the court's financial situation as of Dec. 31, 2012, lists total receipts thus far for the 2012-2013 fiscal year as being almost $10.5 million and total claims paid to date at a little more than $4.8 million. The court has received $6.3 million in general-fund revenues so far, according to the report.

The state Public Service Commission has ordered an investigation into finances at East Kentucky Power Cooperative in response to annual reports that show the energy provider has been in the red since the last quarter of 2004. The service commission filed the order on Friday for documents and financial statements dating back to 2001 to determine whether the cooperative can fulfill its financial requirements with lenders. "We remain in good standing with our lenders," said Kevin Osbourn, a spokesman for the cooperative.

The Kentucky General Assembly convened its 2009 Regular Session this week, with more than 200 bills already filed and more on the way. During this odd-year short session, legislators will meet for 30 days. Although a two-year state budget is already in place, the commonwealth's deteriorating finances demands that we further investigate ways to streamline government and make necessary state services as efficient as possible. In addition, there are a number of issues that will command our attention in the next three months, from education to revisions of the state criminal code.

Dear Editor, I would like to publicly apologize to Mayor Hugh Coomer for being one of many who encouraged him to run for mayor. I have known him for perhaps 30 years or more. He has always been an honorable, decent person who acts conservatively. This is why I wanted him to represent me as a citizen and taxpayer in Danville. I and others appreciate his honesty and integrity. I want to thank him for wanting to make a difference. We need a good man such as Mayor Coomer watching over our city and our finances.

I am John Lackey, candidate for commissioner of agriculture. It is appalling what candidates for public office feel they must spend to win election. No middle class person can afford these sums. Larger contributors do expect something in return. My campaign hopes to show that voters appreciate a qualified, hands-on candidate who finances a modest appeal from personal resources. This lets an elected official call them as he or she sees them, without influence from groups seeking a personal interest.

Danville-Boyle County-KSD Community Education program is offering the following clases. For more information and/or to register for a class, call (859) 239-8986. Quick Books Training, 5:30-8 p.m. today and May 30, at Community Education room 125. $35. This program is good for small businesses or non-profit organizations to do budgets and track finances. Telephone Etiquette-Five Forbidden Phrases, 8-10 a.m. June 1 at Community Education room 125. $25. Designed to improve the performance of employees by identifying inappropriate telephone procedures.

Crystal McPherson, director of Family Services in Danville, has been named Boyle County's 2009 Impact Award recipient. The award, presented by the Bluegrass Alliance for Women, recognizes women who have made a strong commitment at the county level to improve the lives of women and girls in central Kentucky. The award will be presented March 17 at BAW's Legacy luncheon, celebrating Women's History Month. County Impact Award winners will be recognized and one of the women will be named the Legacy Award winner.

Dear Editor, I've no doubt that Danville will continue to progress. We have a highly dedicated, knowledgeable and responsible mayor with Hugh Coomer. He is a lifetime Danville resident educated here in public schools and at Centre, and is a well known and honorable businessman. His courtesy and patience have been tested beyond belief. I've attended several town meetings and watched others on television. Several of the commissioners have mocked and derided him both verbally and in their body language because he and Mrs. Gail Louis have been slow to share others' ideas about priorities.

Jessamine County Fiscal Court ended 2012 with a cash balance of a little more than $5 million, according to the financial statement approved by the court Tuesday. The statement, which reflects the court's financial situation as of Dec. 31, 2012, lists total receipts thus far for the 2012-2013 fiscal year as being almost $10.5 million and total claims paid to date at a little more than $4.8 million. The court has received $6.3 million in general-fund revenues so far, according to the report.

Wilmore may need to think conservatively when making decisions due to its razor-thin 2012-'13 budget, but in general, the council and finance director Hayley Ellis are confident that city can maintain services and continue to make new improvements throughout the coming year. As of Monday night's city council meeting, the city has transferred approximately 59 percent of its surplus fund ($475,688) to the general fund. By suspending the rules and moving it to an immediate action, the council voted unanimously to approve the request by Ellis to transfer $80,000 into the budget, leaving $334,312 in the surplus fund.  In total, the surplus of the budget was at $810,000, which was meant to last through the end of the fiscal year - June 30, 2013.

FRANKFORT - The annual state audit of the Lincoln County Clerk's office has come back squeaky clean. County Clerk Sonny Spoonamore's financial statements are accurate and auditors found no instances of non-compliance or problems with internal controls, according to press releases from State Auditor Adam Edelen's office. Finding no deficiencies in internal controls means Edelen's office has determined Spoonamore's office has all the proper procedures in place to detect and correct financial misstatements in a timely manner.

The Clark County School District Finance Corp. Tuesday authorized the sale of $10.8 million of school building revenue bonds for three current building projects in the district. The largest part of those, $5,265,000, is for the completion of the second phase of the Area Technology Center at the new George Rogers Clark High School. Bonds totalling $2.16 million will be issued for the second phase of the new Clark County elementary school being built behind Central Elementary School, which will replace Central, Fannie Bush and Pilot View elementary schools.

Lincoln County Regional Jail's currently stable financials may not look so good later this year if local prisoners continue to crowd out revenue-generating state inmates, Jailer David Gooch told Lincoln Fiscal Court Tuesday. Three-fourths of the way through the fiscal year, the jail has spent approximately $25,592 less than it has taken in, according to Gooch's quarterly report. Medical expenses in particular have been very low, Gooch said. At this point in the previous fiscal year, the jail had spent almost $147,000 in medical services and supplies, according to the report.

Kentucky State Police have initiated an investigation into the finances of Pioneer Vocational Industrial Services, a detective confirmed Friday. Brian Reeder with the Drug Enforcement/Special Investigations (DESI) unit told The Advocate-Messenger a case has been opened regarding the non-profit company that has provided manufacturing jobs and rehabilitation to people with disabilities since 1969. In addition to drug investigations, DESI is also the main financial crimes division for KSP. Reeder said he had begun interviewing people in connection with the case, but did not elaborate on the nature of the investigation or any individuals who may be the subject.

Wilmore got a freshface in city hall when new hire Hayley Ellis moved into Colleen Brandenburg's office about two weeks ago to assume the role of city finance director/treasurer. When Brandenburg retired after 33 years in Wilmore City Hall, Mayor Harold Rainwater said he knew the city would have to conduct a thorough search to find a replacement for her. And after creating a job description, the city split the clerk-treasurer post into two positions - Phyllis Sallee is now serving as the city clerk, and Ellis is the new finance manager/treasurer.

I am John Lackey, candidate for commissioner of agriculture. It is appalling what candidates for public office feel they must spend to win election. No middle class person can afford these sums. Larger contributors do expect something in return. My campaign hopes to show that voters appreciate a qualified, hands-on candidate who finances a modest appeal from personal resources. This lets an elected official call them as he or she sees them, without influence from groups seeking a personal interest.

President Obama recently declared April to be “Financial Literacy Month” in America. There is no greater need in our nation right now for both our elected officials (President Obama included) and citizenry to gain a better understanding of simple finance, economics and incentive-based behavior. Two books that everyone, regardless of prior formal education, will find useful are “Economics in One Lesson” by Henry Hazlitt and “Basic Economics” (4th edition) by Thomas Sowell.

The Winchester Municipal Utilities Commission wants to use a bond program through the Kentucky League of Cities to finance more than $8.7 million in upcoming expenses over the next three years. The commission voted Thursday to send the recommendation to the Winchester Board of Commissioners for final approval. Officials hope to have a bond ordinance in place by early April in order to meet upcoming debt obligations. If authorized, the bond program will allow WMU to pool financing with other communities through the league’s Kentucky Bond Corporation.