Fiscal court approves rescue squad boat purchase minus motor

Above, Robin Tabor presents a report on the American Bass Anglers Tournament and Barbecue Cook-Off, which attracted a large crowd to Kuttawa Beach in August.-Bobbie Foust/Herald Ledger

Though it took two tries, the Lyon County Rescue Squad won approval to buy a new response boat.
Tammy Morris, rescue squad chief, and Michael Morris, a squad member, asked the fiscal court Thursday to approve purchase of a 22-foot boat, motor and trailer for $24,612.58. Tammy Morris explained that the cost reflects a $900 discount offered by the South Carolina company selling the boat.
“We don’t like coming a begging,” Morris said, adding that the squad’s response boat is worn out. “ The transom is ready to fall apart, and that’s what holds the motor on. ... We need a response boat to get to (a rescue) site quickly.”
Other area rescue squads have abandoned dragging to recover drowning victims and instead now use side-scan sonar, she said. She explained that Eddyville Police Chief Shane Allison has applied for a grant to buy the side-scan sonar device and is confident the grant will be approved.
“The rescue squad, as far as I know, has never had a new boat,” Morris said.
Even so, Magistrate Buddy Nichols explained that the court is required to bid any purchase of more than $20,000. That means advertising for bids, opening bids and then awarding the bid.
Magistrate Steve Cruce added that the court could then have a called meeting to open and award the bid thereby shortening the time required.
But later in the meeting, the Morrises returned to tell the court they could get by without the motor.
“We would like to get this boat even if we can’t get the motor,” Morris said. “Without the motor and with the $900 discount the cost would be $12,847.58. If we wait to bid, this boat is going to be gone.”
Judge-Executive Jimmy Campbell asked if the squad’s old motor is dependable.
Morris said it is, and the court then voted to approve the purchase.
On another issue, Robin Tabor, assistant director at the Lake Barkley Tourist Commission, reported the Aug. 21-23 Barbecue Cook-Off at Kuttawa beach attracted the “largest crowd an ABA (American Bass Anglers) weigh-in has ever had.” The event already has been scheduled for next year in Kuttawa, Tabor said.
She presented court members and the press with copies of a report on the festival that showed the three-day event cost the tourist commission $11,044.16. The commission’s income, $25,219.20, came mainly from the city of Kuttawa, the Kuttawa Relocation Foundation and the fiscal court. Portable toilets, food and drinks and signs also were donated.
Tabor said electricity was a huge problem, but the city of Kuttawa has assured the commission there will be permanent electricity next year. This year, the commission had to rent generators for which the court allocated $10,000 after a last-minute plea for help from tourist commission Director Jamie Johnson.
“Your support was greatly appreciated, and we hope you will support us next year,” Tabor said.
Tabor’s economic impact report showed hotels and motels broke even when compared with last year at the same time, restaurants showed less than a $500 decrease in revenue from 2008. But Food Giant showed a 4.5 percent increase from vendors alone and Akridge Farm Store and ACE Hardware estimated selling four to five grills at $600 to $1,000 each.
Campbell expressed concern regarding the lack of barbecue vendors selling their product. The cook-off contestants did not sell barbecue and left after the competition. He also complained about the $5 for five minutes charged children by an inflatable vendor.
“That bugged me a little bit,” Campbell said.
“It bugged me also,” Tabor replied, noting that she spoke to the vendor later about the issue.
Campbell asked if the event could have more barbecuers and funnel cake vendors selling their products next year, “and some cheaper events for kids.”
In other business the court:
 Voted to buy 11.2 acres from Dorothy Parrent for $1,500 per acre, a total of $16,700. Last month, on a motion by Nichols, seconded by Magistrate Charles Ferguson, the court voted to offer Parrent $1,000 an acre. But Nichols had forgotten that several weeks ago, the court had discussed the purchase, and on behalf of the court he had offered her $1,500 an acre.
Parrent was distressed by the later offer, Nichols said, noting that he apologized and straightened out his memory lapse.
 Voted to extend its lease of a Mack truck to June 2010.
 Discussed the need for apparel that identifies county officials when they go into an emergency situation.
 Voted to keep state insurance coverage for county employees for now.
 Voted, after a 15-minute recess, to buy a chipper for $15,975 from Classic Auto Sales and Service in Trigg County and to buy a Ford Bronco for $2,750 from state surplus property to replace a worn out van. The vehicle will be used mainly to transport work detail inmates from Western Kentucky Correctional Complex and to ferry lawn mowers and other equipment to the parks and other sites.
 Decided not to buy a Dodge vehicle for $11,900 from Kenny Aldridge.
 Denied a claim for $165 from Whitten Communications.