By Mark Hansel
NKyTribune contributor
The Jan. 6 meeting of the Boone County Fiscal Court marked a pledge for cooperation from Judge-executive Gary Moore and the return of a familiar face.
“I’m excited about the next four years. I look forward to serving with all of you who have been elected, and we’re going to do some great things for our community,” Moore said.
“I pledge to you that partnership (and) that we are going to communicate, we are going to have transparency and we are going to work together.”
Republicans have dominated the elected offices in Boone County for years, but that has not always ensured cooperation on county issues.
From rift to cooperation?
Philosophical differences between Tea Party loyalists and mainstream Republicans in the county that surfaced during the debate over a failed parks tax levy in 2008, have caused a rift in the party.
Former District 1 Commissioner Matt Dedden, who was elected in 2010 with strong Tea Party support, often locked horns with Moore and was his opponent in the Republican judge-executive primary in May.
That race was especially rancorous and the differences that prompted Dedden’s candidacy led to spirited debates on the campaign trail that sometimes spilled into the Fiscal Courtroom.
Moore easily defeated Dedden and also dispatched Libertarian Party candidate J. Kyle Sweeney by a wide margin in November to gain reelection.
It was Dedden’s decision to vacate his seat and challenge Moore in the primary, however, that opened the door for the return of another longtime county commissioner.
District 1 Commissioner Cathy Flaig, bested four other candidates in the Republican primary in May and defeated Libertarian Party candidate Josh Brotherton in November.
She returns to the position she held for 12 years before vacating the seat to run for judge-executive in 2010.
Flaig, one of the founders of the Boone County Tea Party, was among those who strongly opposed the parks tax and was increasingly at odds with Moore at the end of her previous term.
Moore defeated Flaig by just 74 votes in the Republican primary in 2010 in a race that was also very contentious at times.
Flaig, who is the co-owner of Flaig Welding, said she is ready to move forward in a conciliatory manner as well and welcomes the opportunity to serve as a county commissioner again.
The Boone County Fiscal Court consists of the judge-executive and three county commissioners. While commissioners represent separate geographic districts within the county, they and the judge-executive are elected in a countywide vote.
Incumbent county commissioners Charles Kenner and Charlie Walton also withstood challenges in the Republican primary and easily won reelection in November.
A visioning session
The members of the Fiscal Court met at a visioning session in December to discuss issues facing the county and goals for the next four years.
Among the issues Flaig would like to address is the need for water service throughout Boone County.
“Water is a big issue and we want to make sure that the western areas of Boone County that have not had water can be served,” Flaig said. “Growth is always an issue and I look to continue moving forward with that as well.”
Kenner has been the District 2 Boone County Commissioner since 2000.
He is a dentist with a practice in Florence and has been a member of the US Army Reserve Medical Corps since 2010. He currently holds the rank of Captain.
Kenner made Boone County history when he attended Fiscal Court meetings via Skype while deployed to Kuwait in 2013. He and Moore share a similar vision for the county and the judge-executive has been able to count on Kenner’s support on key issues over the years.
“The planning meeting was really a great opportunity for us to come together,” Kenner said. “I think we have a clear vision and the four of us will work really well together.”
Walton is beginning his second term as District 3 County Commissioner.
He retired as principal of Florence Elementary in 2013 and was also a State Representative in the General Assembly for 12 years.
Walton said he would like to focus on economic development and believes residents are increasingly concerned with how the government spends money.
“There are some areas where governments have increased spending over the last several years, such as pensions and health care,” Walton said. “I think it’s important for us to do everything we can to keep those costs at a minimum.”
Walton has not always supported Moore’s agenda as strongly as Kenner and when he sided with Dedden on issues in his first term, it effectively deadlocked the fiscal court.
Moore’s ability to garner support from Walton and/or Flaig on key issues will determine how long the spirit of cooperation he has set the groundwork for holds up.
The meeting also marked the reappointment of the county’s senior staff, including County Administrator Jeff Earlywine.
“We are very blessed here in Boone County to have such an outstanding staff,” Moore said. “Each and every employee that is serving our community is valued and we appreciate each and every one of them.”
Fiscal Court meetings
The Boone County Fiscal Court traditionally meets at 5:30 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Meetings take place in the Fiscal Courtroom on the first floor of the Boone County Administration Building, which is located at 2950 Washington Street in Burlington.
The Fiscal Court Agenda is available at the judge-executive’s office or online at www.boonecountyky.org prior to each meeting.