Winston County Supervisors Appoint Airport Board Member & Narrow List of EMS Candidates

The Winston County Board of Supervisors dealt with multiple issues in their Monday meeting. In addition to normal business activity, highlights included the following:

• Accepted a bid of $9050 for a propane storage tank at the old Spartus (now Teters) facility that was no longer in use. The Board rejected a bid of $250 for 3 silo tanks at the same facility.
• Acknowledged the date of May 21 for a public hearing on changes to the solid waste plan as they relate to a possible new tire recycling facility locating on Giffin Industrial Drive. Documents relating to the change filings will be available for public viewing in the Chancery Clerk's Office.
• Accepted a bid(after discussion) to replace a heating/air unit in the county owned property that houses the Health Department.
• Heard from Economic Development Director Gerald Mills concerning several issues including a contract between the County and the Eco/Devo Partnership to manage the lease and repair funds for the Teters building. Supervisor Peterson recommended an accounting change to create a fund for rent payments back to October, 2011 and $115,000 from the existing Spartus Buyback Fund. This fund could then be used to fund the county's portion of  repair at the property, pay taxes and fund the county's contribution to yearly economic development costs without the future use of tax dollars.
• Appointed Ben Kirk to the Airport Board to fill a recently vacated position.
• Met with Justice Court Clerk Tabby Dempsey to discuss collection issues with old fines owed to the county. Collection of current fines have increased and brought funds into the county, however older fines are difficult to collect. Records show that old fines that have not been collected or/are uncollectable could reach up to $1,000,000. Dempsey indicated that records show that there are $647,000 in uncollected fines that are over three years old. Supervisors suggested checking with other counties that may have implemented amnesty programs to increase collections. Suggestions were made to publish a list of unpaid fines and names and provide an amnesty time frame to pay the fines without further penalty. Fines that remain unpaid from that time would result in the issuance of a bench warrant. Dempsey will meet with the Board again to discuss her findings.
• Heard from Warden Tim Palmer concerning the hiring of two new correctional employees as well as a recommendation to replace a terminal server that provides access for  911 and law enforcement officers to connect with the prison's Eagle system that would allow them to check for outstanding warrants on weekends and after hours.  The Board took the issue under advisement.
• The Board met in executive session to discuss personnel issues including candidates for the upcoming vacancy for EMS Director. Sources indicate that no choice has been made but that the candidate field has been narrowed to a small handful of candidates.

Full minutes of the meeting will be available in the Chancery Clerk's Office after the Board's approval. The next meeting is scheduled for May 7.

W. McCully