Fiscal Court discusses spring baseball, softball fee increase, vehicle registration issues

By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1

The seven magistrates, the judge-executive, the county treasurer and the court clerk gathered for the year’s first meeting of the Barren County Fiscal Court to discuss numerous county matters and receive reports from the various county department heads.

The agenda for the special-called meeting called for the approval of payments, personnel actions and a memorandum of understanding. Although, it was not the action taken but rather what was discussed between the magistrates that piqued interest.

The Parks and Recreation Committee gave its report. The committee — chaired by Magistrate Derick Pedigo and included Magistrates Tim Durham and Brad Groce along with Chris Jennings, parks and recreation director — met on the Friday prior to the full court meeting. During the report Pedigo announced they had decided to increase the softball and baseball spring league fee by $5, from $55 to $60.

“We discussed spring league fees for the softball and baseball season,” Pedigo said. “A motion was made…that we raise the fees for each child.”

Last year the department moved to raise the registration fees from $45 to the current $55.

“Everything is going up,” Jennings said. “We ended up raising our fees last year. It was $45 years prior and we raised it to $55.”

During the Friday, Jan. 19 meeting Jennings broached the subject by looking at the fees of neighboring counties and breaking down the cost versus expenses of the department. When all expenses and bills are paid roughly $8,500 remain for salaries infused with the money they make at the gate and concessions.

Based on the previous seasons of 800 players — which Jennings thinks registration will be down this season — an increase of $5 equates to an additional $4,000 for the department.

Durham and Groce approved the increase while Pedigo, seeing the extra money and weighing it against the increase last year, voted against.

Also discussed during the public official reports was the issues with the new motor vehicle system, KAVIS, in the county clerk’s office. According to Helena Chase Birdwell, county clerk, the office is on the tenth day of the new system and they are seeing bufferings and glitches that are causing long lines and wait times.

“The system is still very glitchy,” Birdwell said. “There’s still lots of bugs. It’s still running very slow. No matter how hard [you work], or how much you want it, or how kind you are it just won’t work, so we’re just going to keep trucking along.”

“We’re still seeing major issues processing our dealer work, which is very frustrating,” Birdwell added.

Due to PVA issues, the clerk’s office will not be open this Saturday, Jan. 27.

Birdwell admits that it is very frustrating, both for her office and for those renewing their vehicle registration, but it’s “not in her control” and asks patience during this time.

“We’re communicating with [the state] and they aren’t communicating back,” Birdwell said. “So we’re kind of at their mercy right now.”

“We’re running, we’re just running sideways and not firing on all cylinders, but we’re working hard down there,” she added.