The fiscal court approved a purchase of two Verity Print and Auto Ballot kits for voting locations at their meeting on Feb. 14.

Boyle County Clerk Casey McCoy explained that instead of having to estimate the number of ballots they’ll need at any given voting site, these machines will print ballots at the voting site for each voter who comes in.

“This, in my opinion, is the future of what election day is going to look like,” McCoy said. “It will speed up the line on voting day.”

He said it will help eliminate receiving the wrong ballot, user error, and the fee that clerks have to pay to make sure they have enough ballots on election day.

The cost for two machines is $13,620. McCoy said they will use only two as a trial run in this year’s primary election, and may purchase more next year. The goal is to eventually have ballot printers at every voting site.

He said the machines will be part of state reimbursement in a program scheduled for 2024.

In other business, the court:

• Increased the Maximum Allowable Annual Compensation for Elected Officials due to cost of living increases. Some offices will increase by 6.5%. The county attorney’s will increase to $59,630; county coroner to $23,641; and county magistrates to $10,091.

• Approved hiring of a new sheriff deputy to be a school resource officer for Danville Christian Academy. DCA is the only school in the county that currently does not have an SRO.

Boyle County Sheriff Taylor Bottom said they are going through the hiring process, and will likely hire someone who’s retired. They will be employed full time by the sheriff’s department.

DCA will contribute $45,760 per year for the salary. The fiscal court will give $3,500 for the uniform and equipment.

• Made a proclamation for Gifted Education Month, which they presented to Danville and Boyle County students in the gifted and talented program.

• Made a proclamation for Future Farmers of America Week, which they presented to Boyle County High School FFA members.

• Made a proclamation for Black History Month, which they presented to African American Historical Society President Michael Hughes.

• Danville School Superintendent, Greg Ross briefed the court on a new mental health program he is proposing for Boyle County called Care Solace, which is a more immediate form of requesting counseling.

• Approved an internship program with Campbellsville University to allow their students to ride with EMS to get EMT training.

• Appointed an Assistant Road Supervisor, Mark Gordon. Instead of hiring a road engineer to replace Duane Campbell who retired, the county made a permanent road supervisor and an assistant road supervisor position. When engineer services are required, they will outsource it.

• Reappointed Glenn Ball and Shay Pendygraft to the Airport Board.

• Appointed Brenda Willoughby Brown to the Birthplace of Kentucky.

• Judge Executive Trille Bottom is implementing milestone anniversary awards, giving them to employees who have been with the county for five, 10, 15 years, and so on. Susanna Ryan and Brian Wofford received an award for 20 years of service. Dana Palmer received one for five years.

• The court adjourned in honor of three Boyle Countians who recently passed away: Navy Veteran Richard Herron; World War 2 Veteran, Centenarian, and lifelong Forkland resident Chester Shepperson; Mary Jo Bowling, wife of former Danville Mayor John Bowling.