Martin Co. Sheriff Suspends All Law Enforcement After Funds Dry Up

A Kentucky sheriff has told the local fiscal court he is suspending all law enforcement activities because of lack of funding.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports Martin County Sheriff John Kirk took the stage without invitation at a fiscal court meeting Monday.

Kirk said his office is still owed a $75,000 payment due in January. He also complained that new obligations placed on his office will add $99,000 to his annual expenditures.

A large part of the problem is a sharp decline in coal severance taxes hitting Eastern Kentucky. Local government economic assistance fund money to coal-producing counties has dropped by 80 percent since fiscal year 2012.

Source: MG News

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