Here We Go Again!

At our last Fiscal Court meeting, our County Judge informed the County Magistrates that the state had informed him, that the "Truck License" funds would be cut this coming fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2010. The cut will be pretty heavy to our county. Estimated at this point around $70,000.00.

For years now and ever since I was elected to the fiscal court and began my duties on January 1, 2003, the truck license fee's that the state gave to each Kentucky county has been around $200,000.00 - $220,000.00. For many years, this is how county officials were able to keep the life & safety jail open and running. Through these truck license funds. What would happen was these monies were transferred from the general fund into the jail fund. To the best of my recollection, these fees were for road improvement, yet had to be used to run the jail.

There are 120 counties in our Commonwealth of Kentucky. Each of the 120 would divide equally among themselves the amount that was predetermined by the state. So if Crittenden received $220,000.00 then Webster, Union and all other counties would receive the same. So think about this. Take away $70,000.00 from each county or each county road fund and multiply that x 120 = $8,400,000.00! That hurts us all.

There are other cuts coming down the state pipeline as well so we need to be ready.
What can you do. Call or contact your state elected officials and let them know that we
need at least the monies we have received in the past if at all possible. And remember to pray for them to make solid decisions that will affect us all.

Well, here we go again trying to keep up what roads we have only with less money.
At least that's how I feel.

GW

NOTE: The Crittenden Press has local, state & federal officials listed from time to time. You can get there contact information there or by surfing the world wide web.