The Clinton County Board of Commissioners took sweeping action Tuesday targeting the ongoing fallout from the criminal case against embattled Sheriff Richard Kelly, passing a new anti-nepotism ordinance that immediately terminated the employment of the sheriff’s wife and directing county attorneys to pursue garnishment of the sheriff’s wages to recover more than $200,000 alleged to have been taken from county funds.
(Video of the entire meeting below) (termination takes place at the 31:25 mark in meeting)
The board also approved a new trail project connecting several Frankfort-area landmarks, heard encouraging ridership numbers from the county’s public transit agency, and advanced several highway projects during the regular meeting.
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Anti-Nepotism Ordinance Ends Jail Matron’s Employment
Commissioners voted 3-0 to pass Ordinance 2026-02, an updated anti-nepotism policy, effective immediately. The ordinance’s passage simultaneously terminated Ashley Kelly, who held the position of jail matron. Ashley Kelly is the wife of Sheriff Richard Kelly, who faces seven felony charges and is alleged to have unlawfully taken $219,000 from the county commissary fund.
The board president Jordan Brewer said commissioners had made repeated efforts to resolve the situation before reaching this outcome.
“We’ve given Rich, the elected official, multiple opportunities to do what is right in his department,” Brewer said. “We’ve asked for the resignation. Twice, we’ve not received it.”
Under the terms of the ordinance, Ashley Kelly was given 24 hours to collect personal items and surrender all county-issued property, and she is prohibited from entering the jail premises.
Commissioners made clear the driving concern was the welfare of staff at the jail.
“There’s no way that we can have employees that have to feel unsafe because of other individuals that are working in that office,” the Brewer said.
Clinton County Commissioner Kevin Myers echoed that priority. “This all boils down to taking care of the employees at the jail. That to me is the most important thing,” the commissioner said. The commissioners also approved $15,000 available for counseling for Sheriff Office personnel. This will be funded by the local government portion of an Opioid settlement available to the County.
Commissioner Bert Weaver addressed the broader burden on county workers. “It is not fair to the rest of our county employees that we have to deal with these things back and forth like this.”
Commissioners also addressed a reported suggestion that sheriff’s department employees work from home on a voluntary basis. The board stated no such arrangement has been approved by the commissioners and rejected the proposal outright.
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Commissioners Seek Wage Garnishment, Pension Clause
In two related 3-0 votes, commissioners moved to recover the funds allegedly taken by the sheriff and to close a gap in county pension policy.
Commissioners voted to pursue garnishment of Richard Kelly’s wages to recover the $219,000 owed to the county commissary account, with a formal request planned for the state attorney general.
The board also voted to recommend that the Clinton County Council and Merit Board add a “bad boy clause” to the county’s police pension policy. The proposed clause would preclude a sheriff from receiving retirement benefits following a criminal conviction.
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Trail Project Would Link Lagoons, Frankfort Parks, Wesley Manor
Clinton County Friends of Trails presented plans for a multi-use trail that would connect Frankfort landmarks, including the TPA Park, Wesley Manor, Milky Way and the lagoons. The group asked commissioners for permission to paint shared-use lane markings on Union Road — the county-owned segment running from the railroad tracks to Lagoon Road — post “share the road” signs, and reduce the posted speed limit on that stretch from 50 mph to 25 mph.
Carol Price, representing the Friends of Trails, said the group has nearly $26,000 in hand to begin work. The trail will not be paved initially but will be built on a proper base to allow future surfacing.
Laura Archibald, executive director of Healthy Communities, spoke in favor of the speed limit reduction. “I really don’t think reducing the speed limit is a big ask,” Archibald said. “You would be very hard pressed to get to 50 miles an hour” on that short stretch of road.
Frankfort’s mayor, who was present at the meeting, expressed support for the project. “I believe the city would be in support of this as well,” the mayor said.
Commissioners voted 3-0 to support the project and to commission a speed study, which is required before a reduced speed limit can be made legally enforceable. That study is expected to be completed within a month.
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Public Transit Ridership Up; Funds Returned
The county’s public transit agency reported it provided more than 37,000 trips last year, a nearly 5% increase over the prior year. In the first quarter of 2026, ridership is up 7.5% year-over-year, with Tipton County — also served by the system — up 18% in the same period. The agency credited same-day trip service and extended service hours for the growth.
Commissioners approved the quarterly report, the de-obligation of $14,175 in unspent Tipton County federal transit funds to be returned to the federal government, and grant authorization resolution 2026-02, all by a 3-0 vote.
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Highway Department Updates
Commissioners approved Milestone Contractors for a road project at $947,890 by a 3-0 vote. County Highway Superintendent Rick Campbell reported another truck driver has been hired through the county’s CDL training program, with the next school session beginning May 4. Steel work on the Bridge on Kilmore Road is nearly complete, expected to finish April 27. Bridge 53 (County Road 600 West over South Fork of Wildcat Creek) has been scored and moves to forward pending state approval.