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Fiscal Court Moves Forward with GPED Agreement

Fiscal Court Moves Forward with GPED Agreement
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By West Kentucky Star Staff
Nov. 25, 2019 | MCCRACKEN COUNTY
By West Kentucky Star Staff Nov. 25, 2019 | 10:32 PM | MCCRACKEN COUNTY
At their Monday meeting, the McCracken County Fiscal Court continued discussion on creating a service agreement with Greater Paducah Economic Development.

Some of the goals of the new service agreement would include more transparency and the possibility of having one of the county's commissioners serve on the GPED board.

Bill Bartleman spoke about increasing accountability by adding a member of the fiscal court to the GPED board, saying, "I don't think there would be any harm. I don't know what the negative would be to have another voice on there from those who are elected by the citizens of McCracken County to make those decisions." Bartleman continued, "I think it would help improve accountability. It would help to have another voice on there that if there's an issue they can raise a red flag to discuss those issues."

The proposal being discussed would increase the GPED board by two, bringing it to a total of 12 board members. The two extra spots would be filled by one county Commissioner and possibly a city commissioner. Commissioner Eddie Jones believes this would give the public more of a voice when it comes to economic development.

The proposal would also require more transparency on behalf of GPED, requiring them to give a community report on both successful and unsuccessful efforts, a requirement to present a budget at the start of their year, as well as quarterly reports on their financial condition.

Judge Executive Craig Clymer, who currently serves on the GPED board, spoke out against the proposal believing that it would be ineffective to add a commissioner to the board, "As a member of that board, I go to them and tell them, here's what we want. And when I speak with $250,000 behind my voice, it gets things done."

In the end, the Fiscal Court voted and approved an order authorizing County Judge Executive Clymer to enter into a revised service agreement with GPED, allowing the Fiscal Court to move forward with negotiations.
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