Tagged: VAN NEWBERRY

McCracken County Judge Executive Van Newberry is under fire for allegedly altering zoning maps without going through the proper legal channels.

Deputy Judge Executive Doug Harnice said the map changes, which occurred sometime between 2007 and 2008, are the result of minor computer errors, but Paducah attorney Burton Washburn says he thinks differently.

McCracken County residents may have to pay closer attention to their pets in the future.

County Judge-Executive Van Newberry suggested amendments to a current animal control ordinance that would more closely define the term “at large excessively.”

Newberry suggested the Court apply the label to dogs that create nuisances outside their owners’ properties two times within 90 days. These roaming animals, he said must be seen by animal control officers or caught on videotape. If officers pick up such dogs, Newberry suggested the owners pay fines to retrieve their animals.

The McCracken County Fiscal Court chose Monday to not to increase the gross salary budget for the county clerk’s office. The office originally asked for more than $920,000 in salaries as a part of a $20 million budget.

Before ruling, the Court compared salaries in similar offices around the state. Judge-Executive Van Newberry concluded the employees in question received higher incomes than those in counties of comparable size.

County Deputy Clerk Lyne Dickey did her own research, comparing revenues to clerk salaries in 97 counties across the state. She says McCracken’s clerks made fair incomes, given their levels of experience. 

The court ultimately voted to keep the department’s salary budget at more than $870,000, a decision Newberry supports.

The majority of the McCracken County Clerk’s office attended the county’s Fiscal Court Meeting yesterday to present more than $20 million in budget requests.