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While the Fiscal Court is primarily used for monetary support throughout Clark County, sometimes it makes its name known in other ways. 

During a meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 12, the Court unanimously approved writing a letter in association with the Clark County Agency for Substance Abuse Policy (ASAP) to support Recovery Ready Communities certification. 

As stated on its website, https://rrcky.org, The Recovery Ready Communities Certification Program “Is designed to provide a quality measure of a city or county’s substance use disorder recovery efforts.” 

Dickie Everman, who serves as Chair of Clark County ASAP, spoke before the Court. 

“Our Clark County ASAP Board Overdose Prevention Committee [has] been meeting for a while and partnering with other community partners,” he said. “We hope to submit [an application] in January.” 

If accepted, Volunteers of America would help evaluate the certification via a site visit. 

Presently, 18 counties are certified as a Recovery Ready Community. 

“I believe our community is ready for that…we love our community!” Everman said. 

Jennifer Gulley, a nurse administrator for the Clark County Public Health Department who is also active in Clark County ASAP, pointed out that the agency has also received support elsewhere. 

“The certification program has 85 criteria involved…one of the key benefits is the dialogue between partners about what [we are] doing,” she said. “We all agree we want to prevent people from going down [a negative] road.” 

Tony Kirk, Circuit Court Clerk-elect and current Director of the Home Incarceration Program, also spoke during a discussion portion of the meeting. 

“The vast majority of home incarceration programs are run by the [county] jail. We’re one of the unique places in the state where we’re not run by the jail,” Kirk acknowledged. 

Specifically, the possibility of moving the home incarceration program to the office of Clark County Attorney William Elkins was addressed. 

While some interest was shown, Clark County Fiscal Court Judge-Executive Les Yates acknowledged that District Court Judge Earl-Ray Neal had expressed a desire to address the Court beforehand. 

In addition, Magistrate Dan Konstantopoulos stated that further analysis would be beneficial. 

“That way, it gives us the information to make a permanent decision,” he said. 

When Judge Yates asked Kirk if anyone was currently qualified to become the Director of the Home Incarceration Program, Kirk responded. 

“Absolutely,” he said. “Both the guys that are down there now are excellent employees…either one [would be] great options.” 

A motion was ultimately approved 5-2 for Clark County Attorney William Elkins to serve as interim director of the home incarceration program upon Kirk’s departure to his newly elected position. Elkins will provide a feasibility study by the end of January or before a permanent decision is made to allow the program to operate unaffected. 

Judge Yates and Magistrate Robert Blanton were the two ‘no’ votes.

“[I] have nothing against the process, but I just think we need more information,” he said.