By Gary Pitts
Paducah, KY – The legal battle between McCracken County Clerk Jeff Jerrell and the Fiscal Court is set to begin this Friday. Jerrell is seeking to nullify a county ordinance requiring the Fiscal Court to set the Clerk's Office budget. Previously, the office has set its own budget. An attorney representing Jerrell wants the ordinance declared illegal. Retired Daviess County Judge Thomas Castlen will oversee the hearing as two McCracken County Circuit Judges have recused themselves from the case. The Clerks' office has been the target of criticism for more than a year over personnel policies and alleged mismanaged office finances. State Audits have found no financial management issues but auditors did suggest changes the way Jerrell recorded employee's work hours.