Lawsuit Against McCracken Fiscal Court Dismissed

A lawsuit filed by McCracken County Clerk Jeff Jerrell against the McCracken County Fiscal Court has been dismissed by the Kentucky Court of Appeals. 

The fiscal court adopted an ordinance in June, 2011 that required any expenditure of taxpayer's money by the county clerk be examined by the court. McCracken County Clerk Jeff Jerrell filed a lawsuit against the fiscal court shortly thereafter. A circuit judge ruled against Jerrell, who then appealed the decision. 

This dismissal of the case was announced Friday afternoon.  

McCracken County Judge Executive Van Newberry said in a written statement that the ruling should be viewed as a victory for taxpayers of McCracken County, as it will allow for greater transparency in the clerk's office.

An audit by the Kentucky State Auditor Adam Edelen's office last year found no violations in Jerrell's office, but it did offer recommendations for improvement.

McCracken County Clerk Jeff Jerrell spoke to WestKyStar Friday afternoon, saying that the County Clerks Association of Kentucky has funded his appeals process, and he will confer with them soon to see what if any action should be taken next.