FCQC Considers Donation Of Cecil Youth Shelter
by Robbi Roberts
Members of the Franklin County Quorum Court discussed the fate of the vacant youth shelter in Cecil during their monthly meeting Thursday, Feb. 12, at the Ozark Courthouse.
County Judge Rickey Bowman said the shelter had been vacant for some time and was in bad shape, adding it would require a lot of money and time to rehabilitate it. Justice of the Peace Roy Day stated he knew for a fact the sewer system was not working.
Bowman told the Court the Cecil Fire Department (CFD) expressed interest in the facility, and he felt it would be a nice gesture to donate the building to the CFD, as well as a total of 3.65 acres on which a helipad would be built.
The CFD would be responsible for the entire cost of the rehab of the facility, without assistance from the county. Bowman further stated the dormitories could be used for temporary housing for displaced families.
- K. Ballard was recognized to address the Court, and expressed objection to the donation of the building and land as opposed to selling it in order to ease debt.
Justice of the Peace Lacey Clark stated she would be interested in an assessment of the property. Pictures were distributed showing the interior of the property, including ceilings that are falling and an overall decrepit appearance.
Day made a motion to table the issue until more public input can be collected, and the motion was approved.
JP Vacancy
Bowman stated a strongly worded letter will be sent to the governor in regard to the vacancy of the justice of the peace position in Charleston.
It has been 13 months since the seat was vacated, and Bowman said in that time, there have been other appointments all over the state.
Clark stated an applicant for the position had been contacted by the governor’s office.
During the public input portion of the meeting, Charleston area resident Cody Sosebee stated his dissatisfaction with the lengthy delay in appointing a replacement. Sosebee also expressed appreciation to the sheriff’s office for increased patrols in the Charleston area.
EMS Updates
Treasurer Shelly Wilson told the Court $531,503.92 is owed on the new EMS building, and $191,063.74 from the Cecil solar rebate will be put toward the debt, as well as an additional solar rebate of $303,388. Following those transactions, the debt will be reduced to $54,552.18, which will be paid off in three-and-a-half months.
In a related matter, Wilson stated the third person hired in her office worked on other duties in addition to EMS billing, which is required by law for segregation of duties. She also stated EMS cannot take direct payment but can accept virtual credit cards, and the treasurer’s department does take direct payments.
Crystal Wright asked when the third EMS truck would be back in 24 hour service. Judge Bowman answered they were waiting for the April carry overs before they made a decision and they would put it back on 24 hour service as soon as possible
Other Matters
–Sheriff Johnny Crocker reported a new contact person is in place related to the department’s contract for holding an additional 25 federal inmates at the detention center. He also told the Court there are still four to six non-working cameras in the jail but the situation should be remedied soon.
–Justice of the Peace David Bowles reported he is still working on a noise ordinance for the county.
–An ordinance was approved placing reimbursed funds from the county general unappropriated fund back into the elections travel budget line. Another ordinance was approved transferring funds from unappropriated county general reserve funds into county general reserve funds for county buildings.
–The Court adopted an ordinance establishing commercial ambulance service rates, which are billed to insurance companies. Rates approved include: basic life support (BLS)-emergency, $1,450; advanced life support (ALS) level I emergency, $1,750; advanced life support (ALS) level II emergency, $2,400; advanced life support (ALS)-non-emergency, $1,200; and specialty care transport (if applicable), $2,850.
Mileage charge of $33 per mile will begin when the patient is put in the ambulance and taken to the receiving facility, and non-transport/treatment-only response will be billed at $85. Hourly rates for standby services will be $125 per hour, per unit.
–Justices of the peace approved an ordinance amending the county’s personnel policy to include the 12 official holidays recognized by the county. They include New Year’s Day, Jan. 1; Martin Luther King Birthday, third Monday in January; Presidents Day, third Monday in February; Good Friday; Memorial Day, last Monday in May; Independence Day, July 4; Labor Day, first Monday in September; Veterans Day, Nov. 11; Thanksgiving Day, fourth Thursday in November; Black Friday, day after Thanksgiving; Christmas Eve, Dec. 24; and Christmas Day, Dec. 25.
–A resolution declaring a mission statement for the Section 8 Management Assistance Program was approved unanimously.
Justice of the Peace Gary O’Neal was absent from the meeting, with all other members present.
Read this story and others in the Feb. 18 issue of The Graphic, available online and at businesses throughout Franklin and Johnson counties. Subscribe or donate here to support more hometown journalism.
