Fiscal Court approves agricultural district for landowners; 4-day work week for some county workers

OBSERVER CORPS REPORT
AGENCY: Madison County Fiscal Court
DATE: December 23, 2008
REPORTER: Howard Bowden
 
Call to order at 9:30 a.m. by Judge Executive Kent Clark with Magistrate Larry Combs absent. (He arrived later).
Approval of Minutes: Minutes from last meeting were not available.
Treasurer’s Report: accepted without comment.
 

 1. Resolution- Cemetery Grant Funding: The county has funding available for family cemetery preservation (cleaning, fencing, etc.). It is for matching grants up to $500.  

2. Agriculture District: The court approved a petition from landowners Hughes, Jackson and Cooper to designate 405 contiguous acres as an agricultural district. The advantages of this act is to prevent future development and receive a tax break.

 3. Battlefield Property: The court authorized the purchase of a lot in the vicinity of Mt. Zion Church for $33,000. This will protect the area around the church from future development and ensure the viewscape of the church from the battlefield.

 4. 2009 Madison County Sheriff’s Budget: Approved $2 million.

 5. 2009 Madison County Clerk’s Budget: Approved $17 million.

 6. Turpin Branch Road: The owner of the property, through which a major portion of the road passes, is trying to resolve his right to deny access to other interested parties. The Fiscal Court has no authority over this road and suggested that if it can’t be settled by parties involved it should be referred to a mediator or brought before the Circuit Court. Interesting points brought up during discussion including these:
  • Some former county roads haven’t been maintained for 50 years.
  • County roads not worked in 15 years revert to property owner.
  • County will not maintain abandoned roads.

 7. Road Department Work Schedule: on Jan 1 2009 the department will begin a  10-hour per day, four-day work week. At the end of a three-month trial, the schedule will be evaluated to determine if there are any cost and/or maintenance savings.

Comments from Department Heads: Historical Properties Head Phil Seyfrit reported that a historical organization from Texas wanted to erect a monument in Battlefield Park commemorating units from Texas that fought in the Battle of Richmond during the Civil War.

Comments from Magistrates: Dr. Tudor- requested that public be patient on road repairs due to technical problems with cold patching at this time of year; Mr. Barger- reported on the completion of the Valley View Ferry maintenance; Mr. Botner reported on upcoming auction events at the Fairgrounds. Mr. Combs arrived late and was just glad to be here.

There were no comments from the audience.

NEXT MEETING: Jan. 13 in Berea