Turning its attention to municipal needs, the Trigg County Fiscal Court used Monday night to vote in sweeping favor of the 2024-25 Jail Fund — valued just under $800,000 at $798,641.
Jailer James Hughes noted it was an increase of just $12,850, or 1.63%, of last year’s budget — with plans to increase the pay of his three full-time deputies, and make no other changes.
Hughes did confirm to Magistrate Alana Baker-Dunn that the daily rate for inmates at the Christian County Jail this next year will remain at $30 a day, but those costs might decrease in the next year — following the conviction and sentencing of Montie Streeval and Landon Stinson, both for murder, and the waiting trials of Harold Jett, Keisha Stewart, Jonathan McCoy, Allison Hunter and others of interest.
He and Judge-Executive Stan Humphries discussed such.
For perspective, the lodging of Streeval and Stinson cost the county roughly $68,000 over 36 months.
Hughes also noted that there haven’t been a ton of medical expenses with inmates, either, and that to date the county is responsible for 24 inmates with a budget for 32. Furthermore, Hughes added that he and Humphries have discussed the possibility of, in the future, adding a female full-time deputy who can transport inmates statewide.
Related, magistrates also unanimously approved the standing orders of the county’s recurring expenses for next year, which include a number of community resources like 911, the Justice Center, the Senior Center, county telephones, county payroll, and more.
Humphries said budget season for all offices “has arrived,” and that the first reading of the entire 2024-25 outlook is scheduled for May 6.
In other court news:
— Magistrates heard from Faye Godair, Danika Patel and Brenda Price of the Trigg County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class, in a short discussion regarding their end-of-year project. Seeking to install a new, ornate “Trigg County” s,ign on the western side of the community, the group has already received a $6,000 commitment from Cadiz-Trigg County tourism, a $2,000 commitment from Trigg County Parks & Recreation, and were asking for $1,500 in support for the addition of solar lights, more stonework and other small changes.
Magistrate Cameron Sumner, also in the group, abstained from an otherwise unanimous vote to approve the request.
— Magistrate Barry Littlejohn said he’s fielded several calls from constituents asking questions about roads that weren’t completed in last year’s annual plan. Humphries said weather has been somewhat a factor, with the first part of April a possible time for the restart.
— Humphries said there continues to be a lot of momentum for the Trigg County Memorial Garden near Vinson Cemetery really take shape, especially after the families of March 29, 2023, were remembered last week.
Humphries said that ceremony will be observed in perpetuity.
— Baker-Dunn said she recently received a call from a constituent living near Hwy. 525, with concerns on the progress or apparent lack thereof for the bridge being replaced. Press materials, she noted, indicate a 90-day window for the project’s completion, and that might not be met.
