McCracken fiscal court, city still at odds over portable stage

The McCracken County Fiscal Court heard about the latest word on use of the county's portable stage.

At their Monday meeting, Judge-executive Craig Clymer said the Paducah mayor and board of commissioners have chosen not to supply city workers in erecting and breaking down the stage. The two governments have shared that work in the past.

Clymer said the city and county have spent a total of $6,000 to set up and break down the stage each time it was used. That cost now will be solely on the county.

Clymer said he thinks that's a bad decision on the part of Paducah city government because of the benefits to citizens and groups.  He called getting to the current point in the stage issue "unfortunate." 

Now, Clymer said, even clubs must pay for use of the stage because of high costs solely to the county. He also said that while the stage is an asset for many public events, its purpose is not to compete with private enterprise.

Commissioner Eddie Jones made a motion for the judge-executive to negotiate terms of usage and cost to those who rent it. It passed unanimously. 

In other action, the fiscal court approved rates for various taxing districts, including the county's community fire departments, the public library, Four Rivers Behavioral Health, and the County Extension Service. 

The fiscal court also approved an ordinance establishing a table of salaries and classifications for pay raises and promotions for county employees. 

Seven vehicles were declared surplus and will be sold. 

LED lighting at the Heath Park was awarded to Beltline Electric for nealry $85,000.