Correction

Due to the City of Inez taking a “recess” with a motion to purchase two picnic tables on the table, the Mountain Citizen incorrectly reported that the vote immediately following the informal recess was to purchase the picnic tables. The reporter was unaware that the meeting resumed before she was readmitted and thought the vote was for the last motion on the table before the recess. The Mountain Citizen apologizes for the error.

BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — The City of Inez agreed to purchase two picnic tables for the vacant lot next to the Cain Hotel/Stayton Building on Main Street.

Mayor Ed Daniels told commissioners during a meeting Thursday that he received a phone call from Sheila Maynard on behalf of Christmas in the Mountains.

“They want to get four picnic tables for the lot next to the offices at the red light,” Daniels said.

“And here are the tables,” he said, passing around his phone displaying a picture of a picnic table. “They’re $1,100 each, and they’re asking the city to buy two and the fiscal court to buy two.”

Daniels said he spoke to Martin County Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty.

“He said that would make the city look better,” said Daniels. “But I don’t know how the vote will go there, and I don’t know how it will go here. We can buy these with the ARPA money. That will be a total of $2,200.”

Daniels said the city would look for a better deal.

Commissioner Terry Fraley said he would not vote on anything without first knowing the price.

“Why don’t you just see what the prices are and bring it back to the table?” Fraley questioned.

Daniels replied, “We could, but if it’s $1,100, it’s $1,100. If it’s less than that, it doesn’t matter.”

“Yes, it does,” said Fraley. “Not my vote tonight. I will not vote for that. You’re agreeing to something when you know nothing about it except for a little picture. I mean, that’s taxpayers’ money, and we’re supposed to be good stewards of the taxpayers’ money.”

“No. That’s actually the government’s money,” said Daniels.

“It’s the taxpayers’ money also,” remarked Fraley.

Daniels asked for “a short recess.”

When the meeting resumed, Fraley was not present.

Commissioners Floyd David Jude, Jennifer Wells and Roy Penix voted to purchase the tables.

Commissioners also agreed to pay $50 per month for a building in town where Christmas in the Mountains stores decorations.

“It helps with tourism,” Penix commented. “It would just be an investment.”
Daniels announced the city would not receive funds from Kentucky’s $842 million share of settlements with national drug distributors. Daniels said the city was not eligible because it did not have a police department.

Commissioners discussed equipment for the park and asked the clerk to get estimates on outdoor grills. They also discussed getting grant funds to purchase six benches and a picnic table for persons with disabilities. The benches and table are made of recycled tires and would cost around $5,900. The city’s cost would be 25%. Daniels said the plan is to put the picnic table under the shelter at the park.
The mayor announced that he had received a proposal for striping and signs on Boardwalk for $4,800 but would like to get a couple more proposals.

City Clerk Lisa Mollett announced the city’s revenue for 2022 was $225,550, and expenditures came to $121,000. “We didn’t really save a lot of money,” Mollett said. “We got the extra ARPA money.”