New Martin County judge presides over first meeting

Martin County’s new judge-executive, Colby Kirk, presided over his first fiscal court meeting on Jan. 12.

By Lilly Adkins

BSN Associate Editor

INEZ — Martin County’s new judge-executive, Colby Kirk, presided over his first fiscal court meeting on Jan. 12 by introducing himself and taking a moment for previous Judge Victor Slone and former Magistrate Garland Muncy, who both recently died.

During the meeting, the court unanimously approved an American Rescue Plan resolution that would provide qualifying employees with a one-time premium pay in the amount of $1,000 for their essential work during the pandemic.

The fiscal court also unanimously approved the sheriff’s and the clerk’s budgets as well as the salaries for the deputies in both offices.

The fiscal court also had to approve a discretionary road fund contract and resolution that would allow Kirk to sign off on it. Magistrate Roger Preece made the motion to approve it, and Magistrate Jared Goforth seconded the motion, with all in favor.

Kirk also told the court that he had spoken with Jordan Wheeler at the 911 dispatch office regarding the hiring of a new employee. Kirk explained that Wheeler had conducted interviews and that his recommendation was Keeton Meade, with a start date of Jan. 17. A motion to approve the new hire was made by Goforth, seconded by Preece, with all in favor.

Kirk informed the court that Magistrate Mark Blackburn’s son had to have emergency surgery, so he would not be in attendance at the meeting.

In other business, the court approved the minutes from the Dec. 16, 2021, meeting and the financials before adjourning.