Commissioners handle county business during meeting

BEDFORD – The commissioners voted favorably on contracting with BakerTilly to develop a Comprehensive Financial Plan for the county before the 2025 budget hearings.

From right to left: Auditor Paula Stewart, Commissioners Dustin Gabhart, President Wally Branham, Vice President Rodney Fish, and County Attorney David Smith.

Lawrence County Auditor Paula Stewart requested an overview of the county’s finances, including a proposed capital improvement plan for department and county needs.

BakerTilley will be paid $35,000 for their work on the Comprehensive Financial Plan.

Stewart also requested that a renewed confidentiality policy be signed with the state to keep who pays Innkeepers’ taxes confidential.

In other business:

The Commissioners accepted and approved bids for the paving of county roads.

Paula Stewart was appointed as the administrator of the SAM.gov grant funding process.

Lawrence County Surveyor Cory Allen was permitted to fulfill the state’s one-section corner perpetuation requirement. According to state statute, Allen must fix one cornerstone every year.

Attorney David Smith

This morning, 85 inmates were in the county jail; 68 were males, 17 were females, four had Department of Correction holds, four had parole holds, and seven were Level 6 felons.

The commissioners approved a salary agreement for County Attorney David Smith.

Smith was given a $31,142 pay raise, which added to his current $40,854 yearly salary.

The commissioners approved a contract with Duke Energy to place a security light behind Courthouse Plaza.