Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - 218 N. Locust St. - Carlisle, KY - 859-289-6425

Members of the Nicholas County Fiscal Court voted unanimously on setting the compensating tax rate of real property at 13.1 %, a decrease of last year’s rate, which was 13.3 %.

“I think the citizens of Nicholas County are having a hard enough time in this terrible economy,” said Nicholas County Judge-Executive Larry Tincher following the fiscal court meeting. “We’ll do anything we can to help take the burden off of our citizens without reducing services. This is just a very small way we can help, but it is one way.”

Tincher discussed his philosophy on taxes.

“Nobody likes to increase taxes,” he said. “We felt like we could struggle through another year without putting any additional burden on the tax payers and we’ll do that every time we can.”

Tincher recommended that the court set the rate at 13.1 % and Magistrate Jeff Randolph made a motion to that effect, which was seconded by Magistrate Avery Thornsburg. The vote was unanimous in favor of the motion.

In other business the court:

· Voted unanimously in favor of a resolution concerning the litigation being pursued against the Executive and Legislative branches of the Commonwealth of Kentucky for reimbursement from the state for time served on convicted prisoners. Tincher recommended the action, which came in the form of a motion from Magistrate Daryl Stacy and which was seconded by Thornsburg.

The action came as a result of the county’s increasing jail costs and seeks the state to compensate counties for prisoners who are convicted of crimes and who have been housed at the county’s expense. “We’re suing for reimbursement on days served prior to a conviction,” Tincher said. Nicholas County joins other counties across the Commonwealth on this action being pursued through the Kentucky County Judge’s Association.

According to Nicholas County Jailer Jeff Sidles, the state’s Jailer’s Association also supports the litigation.

· Voted unanimously in favor of a motion made by Magistrate Mike Webb, seconded by Stacy, to adopt a resolution to lease a large dump truck for the county road department.

· Voted unanimously in support of being the governing agency for the Courthouse Square Arts Guild. That organization recently attained a 501C3 status, thus making it a non-profit organization, which may apply for state and federal grants. The motion to make the fiscal court the governing body for the Arts Guild was made by Magistrate Jeff Randolph and seconded by Webb, with the stipulation that no financial responsibility be placed upon the court.

· Approved the county treasurer’s transfers.

· Approved the financial report.

· Adjourned.