Pike County Board Approves Kratom Ban, Accepts 2022 Audit at Lengthy Meeting

PITTSFIELD — The Pike County Board approved an ordinance Monday night banning the sale and possession of kratom and related synthetic opioid products, accepted the county’s 2022 financial audit, and engaged in extended discussion over payroll accounting and past budget issues during a nearly two-and-a-half-hour meeting.

The meeting opened with an invocation by Reverend Bobby Johnston, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

One of the first major actions of the evening was approval of an ordinance prohibiting the sale and possession of kratom, phenibut, and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) products within Pike County.

Chuck Reed of Chain Breakers Recovery Group addressed the board, calling the substances “synthetic opioids” and warning of their addictive potential. Board members voted unanimously to adopt the ordinance following a recommendation from the Public Safety Committee.

Later in the meeting, the board received a presentation from auditor Brad Order of Lauterbach & Amen regarding the county’s fiscal year 2022 audit.

Order reported the county received an “unmodified opinion,” the cleanest opinion available, meaning financial statements were presented fairly in all material respects.

The general fund showed an increase of approximately $232,000 for that fiscal year, ending with roughly $821,000 in fund balance.

The audit included one current recommendation involving two funds that showed deficit balances at the end of 2022, which auditors attributed primarily to timing issues.

Board members also discussed ongoing efforts to bring county audits current. Officials indicated the goal is to finalize the 2023 audit by the end of 2026.

Significant discussion followed regarding revenue shortfalls from prior years, budget amendments, and payroll accounting procedures.

Finance Committee Chair Derek Ross referenced a previous property tax extension error that resulted in approximately $336,000 less being collected than originally budgeted in 2022. County Clerk Natalie Roseberry acknowledged the extension error occurred when a levy rate was incorrectly entered but stated the issue was identified and corrected in subsequent years.

Much of the debate centered on payroll accounting procedures and responsibilities between the County Clerk’s Office and Treasurer’s Office. Ross reported progress on developing a template intended to properly balance payroll entries within the county’s financial software system, an issue that has been ongoing for several years.

Treasurer Scott Circle noted that while sufficient cash exists to cover current expenses, the county’s general fund balance has relied in part on previously cashed certificates of deposit.

In other action, the board:

• Approved roof repair bids for the Sheriff’s Department totaling $63,235.• Approved health department roof and window repairs totaling $43,777.50.• Approved the sale of multiple county-owned floodplain parcels at $2,000 per acre. Officials noted the properties are restricted to agricultural or limited-use purposes due to federal flood covenants dating back to 1993.

The board also adopted a proclamation recognizing March 10 as a day supporting the Pike County Child Care Task Force and its “Provider Palooza” event.

Before adjournment, State’s Attorney Walker Filbert announced that a lawsuit filed against the county, county board, and several officials had been dismissed with prejudice by a circuit court judge.

The meeting adjourned at 9:18 p.m.