Mason County Treasurer Peggy Heflin announced her retirement to members of Mason County Fiscal Court during a special meeting Tuesday.
Heflin has been with the county since 1993 and said no definite date has been set for her retirement, but due to changes within the state retirement system she will retire prior to Dec. 31, 2008.
"The best window of opportunity for me is now," Heflin said, then proceeded to thank current and past magistrates for the opportunity to serve the county.
Heflin received accolades from commissioners Pat McKay, Don Tumey and F.J. "Bear" Finn for her 15 years of service, with Finn saying Heflin is known throughout the state for her capabilities as a county treasurer.
Heflin has served as president, first vice president, second vice president and treasurer for the Kentucky Association of County Treasurers and Finance Officers; she has served on the association's advisory board since 2000. She has also served on several advisory committees at the state government level in the area of county finance, specifically with the Department for Local Government; has participated in workshops for newly elected officials under the Governor's Office of Local Development and the Kentucky County Judge Executive Association; currently serves on the Board of Directors for Leadership Horizons and is secretary of the Mason County Democratic Committee.
Mason County Judge Executive James L. "Buddy" Gallenstein also offered his praise of Heflin and said he was sorry she will be retiring but understands the opportunity before her.
Gallenstein asked the panel of commissioners to give consideration to moving Assistant Treasurer Kim Muse into Heflin's position, citing her 11 years of experience in the treasurer's office and the opportunity for Muse to learn more about the responsibilities of the job before Heflin retires. Gallenstein also asked commissioners to consider moving Megan Davenport into Muse's position, which would create a job opening to replace Davenport.
In other business, the court:
• Held a discussion about right of way repairs to a section of South Ripley Road. The right of way had been repaired in 1997 with Federal Emergency Management Agency funding and again in 2001 with county funds, but slippage of the rock and boulder support has washed out after recent rains and has settled on the property of Jerry Mains.
Finn made a motion to have the rocks put back into place on the right of way and secure the area; Tumey seconded the motion, but discussion then centered around the issue of county-owned equipment and employees conducting work on private property. Mason County Attorney John Estill said he agreed with the motion in principal and the repairs are needed, but said more specific guidelines are needed as to exactly how much work is to be done.
Road Department Supervisor Jerry Arthur suggested the court bring in an engineer to inspect right of way and provide a plan on how best to proceed. Arthur said two to three feet of rock remains on the shoulder and only a concrete wall or Gabion baskets will make the right of way safer.
"I think it's an illegal act to ask me to do work on private property," Arthur said of the motion before commissioners.
After further discussion, Gallenstein said he will contact the state highway department to ask its assistance in evaluating the situation and how repairs should proceed.
The motion was withdrawn by Finn; Tumey withdrew his second of the motion.
• Learned the Mason County Sheriff's Office will implement a new tax collection system which is less expensive than the system used in 2007.
• Heard a report from Todd Leonard of the Mason County Landfill regarding a computerized program to track maintenance of vehicles; the software also tracks parts inventory, costs and service dates. Leonard said the system will also track maintenance of recycling center equipment.
• Approved a Memorandum of Agreement with the State Board of Elections to purchase new voting machines from a state approved vendor. Each machine is $4,500 and the agreement is for $90,000. The Board of Elections will reimburse Mason County for each machine purchased.
• Approved a contract with Gateway Children's Services for $92.50 per day/per juvenile.
• Approved the second reading of ordinance 08-05 Joint Planning Commission Appeal in the rezoning dispute between Kelly Bradford and Milton Manley. The second reading of the ordinance by the court overrules the Maysville-Mason County Planning and Zoning Board of Directors ruling to maintain agricultural zoning on Bradford's property at the intersection of Maple Leaf Road and Kentucky 11. Passage of the ordinance allows Bradford to apply for business zoning of the property.
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