The members of the Russell County Fiscal Court met Monday in a special called meeting to address the construction of a new jail.

Mike Carroll and Eric Chambers of Brandstetter and Carroll told the magistrates that the over 14,000 square foot plan is ready to go to officials in Frankfort for preliminary approval.

Carroll said they have made adjustments to the plans to maximize the effectiveness of manpower by allowing fewer people to observe more prisoners.

Based on a "site and foundation permit" Carroll said the county could be advertising for construction bids as early as next month, 30 to 60 days in advance of the Kentucky Department of Corrections' final approval of the designs.

County Judge-Executive Mickey Garner had said at a previous meeting that having the project "shovel ready" in June would be necessary for the county to receive any possible federal economic stimulus grants or loans.

Such funding, if ever offered, could reduce the county's expense for constructing the 80+ bed facility.

The court approved taking the plans before the corrections' facilities review board.

The court also approved proposals from two vendors to mow county road right-of ways. The bids were $40 per road mile of mowing 6-8 feet along each side of roads.

Two part-time seasonal positions and one full-time position at the road department were approved by the board and job vacancy ads were approved in advance of the next court meeting.