The first meeting of the new term fiscal court and new county Judge-Executive Gary Robertson took place Tuesday morning at the courthouse as county leaders met to take care of some housekeeping by appointing personnel and appointing members to various county boards and committees.

In the first order of business, Robertson named Chris Ramsey to the position of deputy judge-executive. The deputy judge-executive may exercise all administrative powers, duties and responsibilities of the county judge-executive in his absence.  

Ramsey, who will also have some administrative assistant duties when necessary, may also represent Robertson at any meeting or activity that he gives direction to do so.

The only two duties of the judge-executive that the deputy judge-executive may not exercise is presiding over meetings of the fiscal court and performing marriage ceremonies.

Ramsey will work approximately 30 hours per week, according to Robertson.

The fiscal court also rehired Lesley Barger and Kathy Tupman as administrative assistants as well as Sherry Stephens as occupational tax administrator. Tupman was also hired as county treasurer. Andy Bell and Cathy Johnson were hired as courthouse custodians while Roger Powell was rehired as dog warden and a recycle worker.

Longtime Emergency Management and Solid Waste Coordinator H.M. Bottom was rehired to remain in those positions as well. Bill Gunter was also hired as a seasonal litter abatement worker.

Troy Meadows was reappointed as the recycling supervisor while Genita Long and Carl Downey were rehired at the recycling center.

Other county positions filled were Danny McBeath and Phillip Chapman as operators, Lewis Conner as a mechanic and welder and Garry Lawless, Christopher Robinson and Bobby Corner as truck drivers.

At the new Russell County Detention Center, Neil Bell was hired as chief deputy jailer, Alana Reynolds as secretary, James Grimes as class D coordinator, Travis Miller, Dwayne Sullivan, Jerrie Stephens and Lisa Dockery as shift supervisors and Brenda Wilson, Brenda Hudson, Larry Popplewell, Valerie Baker, Shawn Cook, Vicky White, Patrick Conner, Bethany Foley, Dennis Grayum, Debbie Grayum, Charles Grider, Michael Burton, George Burton, Julie Baker, Randy Overby, Dianne Hughes, Jeremy Flanagan, Beverly Kelsey, Barry Coffey and Janice Simpson as deputy jailers.

Terra McQueary was rehired as dispatch supervisor and Allison Burton, Carrie Burton, Lee Ann Roy, Justin Antle, Valerie Baker, Jenny Frank, Tracy Irvin, Josh Kerr and Miranda Luttrell were hired as dispatch coordinators. Ronnie McGaha was also rehired as the 911 mapping coordinator for eight hours a week and Darren Hadley was hired as the road crew leader

In other happenings at the meeting:

• Robertson reappointed Magistrate Ronald Johnson as the judge pro-tem in case Robertson is unable to fulfill the role of judge due to sickness or otherwise needed.

• Robertson also established a recycling committee that will meet quarterly that includes Troy Meadows, H.M. Bottom, Ronald Johnson, Jimmy McQueary and Chris Ramsey. The group will first meet in mid-March to work on grants to help the county recycling program.

• The judge appointed new Magistrate Brook Cochran to the local health board to replace former Magistrate Steve Bledsoe who had served on the board until his term was up.

• Robertson appointed Magistrate Larry Holt to the Russell County Hospital Foundation Board, a position that Robertson had occupied until now.

• Magistrate Greg Popplewell was appointed to the Lake Cumberland Regional Transportation Board, which meets monthly at the area development district office. Robertson will remain on that board in his capacity as county judge.

• Robertson established a road plan and safety committee, which will meet quarterly, made up of all magistrates which will collectively discuss road plans under state mandated law. Robertson did away with the position of road foreman and will take over those responsibilities himself.

• The fiscal court also voted to bond all county positions under state law, the last item of business at the meeting.

Things to note about the meeting:

• It was also the first meeting for newly elected magistrates Larry Holt and Brook Cochran and County Attorney Kevin Shearer and Assistant County Attorney Don Byrom.