At a called meeting, the Russell County Fiscal Court approved the purchase of land for a new jail last Friday morning.

Russell Springs Mayor Hollis DeHart presented his city's offer to the court. He said the 3 to 4 acres would cost the county $1, and some work on the city's road where the jail was to be located, Brian Walters Rd.

County Judge-Executive Mickey Garner expressed his appreciation for the offer, noting that it would have cost $200,000 or more to locate the jail in Jamestown.

"It'll be good for the county," DeHart responded. "All we would have been doing with that land is bush-hogging it."

After accepting the land from the city, the magistrates okayed expenditure of between $5,000 and $6,000 for survey, deed work and site study in preparation for bids.

Garner said that work would be in preparation for advertising for bids to do the site grading work necessary for construction.

The court moved onto the matter of cost of living pay-raises for county workers.

Garner advised a decision was needed in order to move forward with planning for the 2009 budget year.

Magistrate Steve Bledsoe suggested a 3.8 percent hike, while Magistrate Gary Robertson pointed out that the school district had approved only a 1 percent increase.

Magistrate Greg Popplewell expressed concern over how much revenue the county's coming budget would see.

"Raises cold lead to layoffs," Popplewell said. "That is something we need to think about."

The court approved a 3 percent pay raise for county workers, which would include road crew, recycling, and other non-elected hourly workers.

Popplewell was the only magistrate to oppose the motion.

The court also approved the application for Neighborhood Stabilization Program grant funding.