Judge Pruitt explains budget issues at May Fiscal Court meeting.

(Clinton, KY) - The Hickman County Detention Center got a short stay of execution on Monday evening when the Fiscal Court voted for a budget which includes the jail remaining open- at least until after the primary election on May 20th.

Hickman County Judge Greg Pruitt brought two budget scenarios to the Fiscal Court Monday evening. Pruitt told the Court that the estimates presented were “careful and conservative - following trends that have a past history.”

In the first option, all would remain as is. The jail would stay open. Dispatch and 911 services would continue to be operated from the jail. Judge Pruitt told the Court that estimates compiled he and County Treasurer Carol Melugin would put the costs of the operation at close to $600,000 yearly. With that cost in the budget, the county’s reserve fund would fall to $82,495.

Pruitt reminded the Court that the general fund holds $601,000 which is $136,000 less than the year before.

In the second scenario, the jail would be closed, but dispatch and 911 would remain in the jail facility. In that case, the cost would be $280,000. The reserve fund would rise to $338,000.

The Court decided to adopt a budget using the first option and keep the status quo in place until at least after the primary election on May 20th. All candidates for jailer and county judge are Democrats. Every fiscal court magistrate seat has multiple Democratic candidates. Of the three magistrates, Tommy Roberts is not seeking re-election. All magisterial seats have multiple candidates. Only one Republican is running for a seat on the Court.

Magistrate Ricky DeWeese asked if the budget was the final word on the jail. County Judge Pruitt said that the jail could still be closed, even if it is in the budget.

The Hickman County Detention Center will remain open.

For now.