Lewis County Jail employees will be seeing larger paychecks as a result of action taken at Monday morning's Fiscal Court meeting.

Magistrates approved Jailer Tim Underwood's request to give a $2 an hour raise to Jeff Lykins, who has been promoted to the position of safety and security coordinator. County Attorney Buddy Lykins Jr. advised the court that the new $10.50 per hour salary be linked with the actual job position, rather than an individual person.

Underwood also requested raises for all jail employees. Magistrate Keith Chapman noted that the budget for the current fiscal year has already been set and that the matter should be considered next spring when the next budget is prepared. However, a 25-cent an hour cost of living increase was approved for all other jail employees.

A 2.39 percent cost of living increase was also approved for all non-elected county employees. Judge Executive Steve Applegate explained that the cost of living increase was incorporated into this fiscal year's budget.

Solid Waste Coordinator John Teager told the court that the state has accepted the county's five-year plan and added that the county needs to upgrade its recycling program to remain in compliance.

He described recycling trailers used in other areas and explained that the units were available at a cost of $5,500 each, if at least two are purchased. Teager said the first one would be needed by next year and a total of four by the year 2007. Magistrates approved the purchase of two units at this time.

Magistrate Chapman asked where the county was on mandatory garbage pickup. County Attorney Lykins said that he had spoken with the Mason County Attorney and learned that a previous report that it was illegal for utility companies to collect the garbage pickup fee is, in fact, untrue.

Lykins said he was told that it was not practical in Mason County. Additionally, the utility companies didn't want to do it and they can't be forced to do it.

The regular meeting of the Vanceburg City Council was held Monday, July 7, with all council members present except for Angie Patton. Patty Kennard filled in for City Clerk Jeanna Billman.

Council approved the first reading of an ordinance that will allow the city to move forward to purchase a fire truck for the city and to finance the truck over a ten-year period.

Mayor W.T. Cooper stated that the cost of the new truck is $150,000.

Adelphia Cable Company's Manager Blaine Randles gave council an update on repairs and enhancements to improve service in the area.

Randles also stated Adelphia's plans include five more channels and the possibility of digital service by October.

On June 6, City Attorney E.V. Holder Jr. was authorized to prepare an ordinance to close the portion of Bruce Street between the property owners, the Moores and the Hills.

Holder advised council that Bruce Street was indeed a city street and that all abutting property owners need to be a part of the closing of the street and need to be notified.

Kentucky law requires members of the state's 176 public boards of education to receive professional development training annually. Annually, just one in 10 Kentucky school board members exceed the minimum requirements by completing the courses necessary to reach a new level of certification.

"The maximum number of annual training hours required under state law is 12, and that's just for first-term school board members," Brothers said, "so reaching another level in the Academy of Studies represents a major commitment. This is more than going to a few meetings or reading a book. This is real work on behalf of Kentucky's children."