Fiscal Court is Transparent

Commentary by Jeff Jobe, Community Publisher

The Barren County Fiscal Court meeting this week was refreshing to watch as a truly open and non-political meeting.

I witnessed Barren County Judge-Executive Jamie Bewley Byrd, and Magistrates Jeff Botts, Tim Coomer, Brad Groce, Derek Pedigo, Marty Kinslow, Tim Durham, and Ronnie Stinson have a discussion and educate themselves by asking questions, share concerns, and provide research they did on their own. It was helpful for me and anyone seeing the meeting.

For years I have proclaimed I can predict a vote outcome for an entire government body by knowing where one individual may have cast their vote. I have seen these political alliances and divisions destroy many communities. They have held us back for more than a decade, and I am pleased it isn’t true for our fiscal court at this time.

Open and transparent meetings are to serve the community in this manner and to allow us to see our government in action. Back room deals have cost us tax dollars, driven our power costs, and delayed much needed development while often rewarding those who control the division instigators.

I came away from watching this meeting with a renewed understanding and appreciation seeing our county government educate themselves. There was no political division, tones of anger, and unlike the “opt out” vote in Glasgow, everyone joined the discussion.

While our fiscal court members openly discussed the issue for us all to see, Glasgow’s City Administrator April Russell scheduled back-to-back private meetings with council members away from the public.

Governor Andy Beshear signed Senate Bill 47 on March 31, 2023, which legalizes medical cannabis in the commonwealth effective Jan. 1, 2025.

As of April 18, 2024, the program has filed 17 regulations establishing the processes and procedures for medical cannabis businesses and registered cardholders.

We have numerous examples of the potential positive economic impact this program can bring to our small community.

We all understand there will be a learning curve and perhaps increase the work load for some. Yet it can bring pain relief for others much closer.

Regulations regarding cannabis businesses establish how cultivators, processors, producers, safety compliance facilities, and dispensaries will apply, become licensed, and operate in Kentucky. Kentucky is already among the most stringent and not even in place yet.

I established Barren County’s first craft beer brewery; there was a stringent background check, proof of financial stability, and heavy up front costs associated with it becoming the reality it is today. Once open we had numerous unannounced inspections, a tremendous amount of paperwork and testing to stay compliant. I can’t even imagine the amount of work anyone choosing to open one of the medicinal marijuana businesses will endure.

As I began watching the Barren County Fiscal Court meeting this week I had no real position on the issue, but as I watched and listened I left with a belief that I can’t imagine any elected official not seeing how much we need economic growth and we can’t afford not to allow someone an opportunity in our community.

I too have concerns as to whether or not medical marijuana has tremendous value to sick people, but if it can help just one of us with relieving pain quicker, I must encourage its passing.

Thank you Barren County Fiscal Court for helping me become more clear on my position and giving us an example of how government should operate.