County OKs funding for ‘rocket docket’ program; discusses tax rates

Magistrate Keith Metcalfe and Judge Executive Dean Watts talk before the start of Tuesday’s Nelson Fiscal Court meeting.

By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio

Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2016, 8 p.m. — Nelson Fiscal Court approved participating in a “rocket docket” program that will reduce the time low-level non-violent drug and drug-related offenders spend in jail awaiting their turn in court.

County Attorney Matthew Hite explains the Rocket Docket program to Nelson Fiscal Court.

Judge Executive Dean Watts told the court the program has been successfully implemented in surrounding counties. Getting low-level offenders through the court system faster allows offenders who need substance abuse treatment to enter programs earlier. The court approved $15,000 as the county’s contribution to be part of the program.

The program not only gets offenders through the justice system in a more timely manner, it also clears out county jails and reduces the costs for housing inmates awaiting their court dates.

The rocket docket program is administered by the Prosecutors Advisory Council. Last year, the council funded 28 rocket docket programs across the state.

TAX RATES. The court approved Watts recommendation to leave the county’s property tax rate at the same level it was last year — 14.3 cents per hundred dollars of value.

This is slightly higher than the state-provided compensating rate — the rate that would bring in approximately the same revenue as the county received last year. The compensating rate would be 14.1 cents per hundred dollars of value, slightly less than the current rate.

Leaving the tax rate the same will generate approximately $60,000 in additional tax revenue.

Fiscal Court will hold a public hearing on the proposed tax rate at a special meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016.

PAVING APPROVED. The court approved paving requests from District 1 Magistrate Keith Metcalfe and District 2 Magistrate Sam Hutchins.

In District 1, the court approved:

– paving Rolling Fork Church Road from KY 52 to Patton Road;
– paving Sulpher Lick Road from KY 457 to the Marion County line;
– paving 6,000 feet off Leonard Hall road starting at KY 247.

In District 2, the court approved:

– paving a portion of Pottershop Road;
– paving Woodlawn Road from Tom Greer Road to Thomas Lane, and from Thomas Lane;
– paving Breezy Way.

VOTER REGISTRATION REMINDER. Nelson County Clerk Elaine Filiatreau reminds voters they can call her office to verify their voting registration status, or do so online at www.govoteky.com.  Electronic registration is available at that same website for those who wish to  register for the first time, who have moved from another county, or who wish to correct their address if they have moved within Nelson County. The deadline to change or update voter registration status is Oct. 11.

Filiatreau said confirming or correcting voter information is important in order to avoid problems when going to vote in the November election.

For those who will have to have absentee ballots mailed, or for information concerning who qualifies for absentee ballots, Filiatreau recommended voters call the clerk’s office.  If mailing of the absentee ballot is required, please request the application as early as possible to avoid potential problems with timely mailing.

In other action, the court:

— re-appointed Bernard Ice to the Bardstown Industrial Development Corporation board.
— approved a five-year property tax assessment moratorium request from the owner of a home at 207 North Fourth St.

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