Stephens hired as Executive Assistant/Economic Development Director

By McCreary Journal | June 19, 2025 |

Animal Control Ordinance revised

During a June 5, 2025, meeting, the McCreary County Fiscal Court convened to take action on several matters, including approving Joshua Stephens as the Executive Assistant/Economic Development Director for McCreary County. The position’s starting pay is $35,000 plus a stipend from the McCreary County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) for $25,000. Stephens began work in the position on June 10, 2025.
In other personnel matters, the Fiscal Court approved the status change of George Penick from full-time transport to part-time and approved a seasonal lawn maintenance worker.
Christina Hollis was appointed to replace Ruby Keith Taylor on the McCreary County Public Library Board of Trustees. Suzie Thompson was reappointed to a new four-year term.
The Court approved the first reading of the revised Ordinance 840.3 Animal Control Ordinance. Revisions to the current ordinance include the following:
• In section 8, the words “shall at all times between the hours of sunset and sunrise of each day” are replaced with the words “at all times.”
• Adds a penalty of a $250 fine and/or 12 months imprisonment for each violation and classifies violations as a Class A Misdemeanor.
•Additional revisions made in accordance with the Kentucky Revised Statutes include defining the terms ‘animal rescuer or foster person,’ ‘animal care provider,’ and ‘seized.’ Per Kentucky Revised Statutes, the local ordinance is revised to require kennel establishment inspections and requirements for dogs deemed “dangerous.”
Fiscal Court voted to table the decision to opt in on allowing ATVs on secondary roads until state regulations are finalized on July 9. By tabling the decision, Fiscal Court can develop an ordinance that meets local and state regulations.
In other business, the Court:
-Approved an Opiod Grant Application from Adanta designed to do mass mailings to residents explaining how to keep prescription medicines safe and how to dispose of prescription medicines properly. Judge Greene said he expects two more grant applications next month. The Opioid Grant money was received as the result of a nationwide lawsuit against drug manufacturers and others. Money received through the settlement must be used to address addiction and must be self-sustaining.
-Approved a memorandum of understanding with USP McCreary and McCreary County Airport allowing USP McCreary officials to use the airport for a local/state/national media staging area in the event of an emergency.
-Approved Sheriff’s Office 2024 fee settlement.
-Approved deposit payment to begin Airport Hangar Project.
-Approved 2025-26 County Budget and Salary Schedule.
-Approved franchise agreement with Charter Communications (for ten years). This does not prevent other companies from operating in the county.
-Opened Bids on Goods and Services. Will award bids at a later meeting.
The Court also heard reports from Department Heads that included the following information:
-EMS made 324 runs in May and brought in $163,645 in revenue. 911 answered 1,060 calls in May.
-$107,315.33 net Occupation Tax collected in May. $35,771.77 disbursed to Jail Fund and $71,543.56 disbursed to General Fund.
-County parks (County Park and Sandhill RV Park) netted 3,070 in rental fees during May. $1475 of the total came from campsite rentals at Sandhill. The splash pad is now open through Labor Day at the County Park.
-Tourism garnered $1,789.24 in transient taxes in May. Tourism collected $24,040 in transient tax to date in FY 24/25.
-ABC collected $7,980.65 in fees, licenses, etc. from alcohol sales; merchants brought in $211,957.15 in sales.
-Road Department responded to numerous calls, including 15 calls regarding potholes, one regarding signs, 28 regarding tree limbs, six regarding shoulder work, and eight regarding culverts. Two hundred forty-eight tons of garbage were hauled off from Dump Days, and 34 roadside dumps were cleaned up in May. Peter’s Mt. Road is open and passable. Road Superintendent Tony Kidd complimented his crew for their outstanding work ethic.
-Magistrate Bill Taylor noted he has had many people ask him about having tornado sirens that work in the county. Taylor said he and EMA Director Stephen McKinney are checking about tornado warning systems.