PADUCAH — The McCracken County Fiscal Court, in session Tuesday night, passed an ordinance authorizing the county to enter into an interlocal agreement with the city of Paducah for the provision of 911 services.
“We've finally reached the finish line on this,” McCracken County Judge Executive Craig Clymer said of the 911 upgrade project.
“We've finally reached the finish line on this,” McCracken County Judge Executive Craig Clymer said of the 911 upgrade project.
The next step is to draft and pass regulations implementing package charges to fund the operating budget for emergency 911 services, which Cramer estimates will come at the next Fiscal Court meeting.
Overall, the program will improve 911 communications and protect first responders and community members.
“This will move our community several notches forward in terms of safety,” Cramer said.
McCracken County Commissioner Bill Bartman agreed, saying the county's five or more years of work on the project is critical.
“This is probably more important than anything else we do,” Bartman said. “If we don’t do anything else, I think that’s the mark of our tenure as commissioners.”
The Fiscal Court also approved a court order allowing the treasurer to refund approximately $40,000 in overpayments from the McCracken County Clerk's Office. Tax refunds are available to prefectural residents who have paid excessive taxes.
Cramer said he wants residents to have confidence in the county clerk's office moving forward.
“People need that confidence when they come here and pay their taxes,” he said.
McCracken County Commissioner Eddie Jones responded to Cramer's comments, saying the overpayments were illegally issued by “an indicted deputy clerk,” referring to the former McCracken County deputy Clerk Michael Toon. Thune was charged in January with two felony counts of theft.
Greater Paducah Economic Development President and CEO Bruce Wilcox gave the Fiscal Court an update on current projects. GPED has previously worked with the Fiscal Court to improve industry and employment in the county.
According to Wilcox, GPED currently has six active projects with capital investment amounts ranging from US$20 million to US$1 billion.
Wilcox said the projects created 849 direct jobs with an average salary of $24.07.
During the meeting, the Fiscal Court added Juneteenth to the county's holidays.
The Fiscal Court also approved the proposed operating budget for the fiscal year 2024-2025.
