FISCAL COURT VOTES TO SWITH EMERGENCY SYSTEMS FOR EMS
By Susan Salyer
The Lawrence County Fiscal Court had a Regular Scheduled Meeting on Tuesday November 18, 2025 at the Lawrence County Court House, 122 S. Main Cross Street, Downtown 2nd Floor, Louisa, Kentucky 41230 at 10AM. Lawrence County Judge Executive Phillip Carter was in attendance along with Lawrence County Magistrates David Pinson, Rick Blackburn, Michael Mouse Halcomb and John Skaggs.
APPROVE MINUTES
The Court unanimously approved the Minutes for October 21, 2025 Regular Meeting with a Motion by Michael Mouse Halcomb and seconded by David Pinson.
APPROVE TREASURERS REPORT
The Court unanimously approved the Treasurers Report with a Motion by Rick Blackburn and seconded by Michael Mouse Halcomb.
APPROVE BILLS
The Court unanimously approved the Bills with a Motion by Rick Blackburn and seconded by Michael Mouse Halcomb.
APPOINTMENT TO NORTHEAST BOARD
Judge Carter said, “ Gene Davis resigned due to illness. I appoint Paul Walker to the Northeast Board. Motion by Michael Mouse Halcomb seconded by David Pinson. The Northeast Community Action Board operates programs throughout Lawrence County.
APPROVE SHERIFFS 2026 BUDGET
The Court unanimously approved the Sheriffs 2026 Budget with a Motion by Rick Blackburn and seconded by Michael Mouse Halcomb.
APPROVE SHERIFFS ORDER SETTING MAXIMUM AMOUNT FOR DEPUTIES AND ASSISTANTS
Lawrence County Sheriff Chuck Jackson said, “There has been no change in the payroll schedule.” Motion by Rick Blackburn seconded by Michael Mouse Halcomb.
APPROVE SHERIFFS 2026 STATE ADVANCEMENT
The 2026 State Advancement is the set amount the Sheriffs Office has to operate on. Motion by Michael Mouse Halcomb seconded by Rick Blackburn.
APPROVE CLERKS 2026 BUDGET
The Clerks 2026 Budget was unanimously approved with a Motion by Rick Blackburn and seconded by Michael Mouse Halcomb.
APPROVE CLERKS 2026 DEPUTY SALARY CAP
The Clerks 2026 Deputy Salary Cap was unanimously approved with a Motion by Michael Mouse Halcomb and seconded by John Scaggs.
APPROVE COUNTRY MUSIC HIGHWAY RESOLUTION
The Court unanimously approved David and Teresa Prince with a Motion by Rick Blackburn and seconded by David Pinson.
The Court unanimously approved Adam Chaffins with a Motion by David Pinson and seconded by Rick Blackburn.
The Court unanimously approved Noah Thompson with a Motion by Rick Blackburn and seconded by David Pinson.
The Court approved all three names to appear on our County Road Sign entering Lawrence County. These names will be sent on to legislators for final approval.
APPROVE 911 APPLICATION
The Court unanimously approved the 911 Application with a Motion by John Scaggs and seconded by Michael Mouse Halcomb.
APPROVE EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM CONTRACT – HYPER-REACH
The Court unanimously approved the Emergency Alert System Contract with HYPER-REACH. Motion by David Pinson and seconded by Rick Blackburn. Hyper-Reach delivers cutting-edge alert notification services to public safety agencies and businesses across the United States, reaching millions of Americans each year.
- Mass communication via phone, text, email, social media including Nextdoor, Alexa smart speakers and more.
- The largest set of delivery options of any provider.
- Google map-based interface for easy alert area selection.
- The most ways to get citizens enrolled.
- Massive scalability and redundancy.
- AI-enhanced message creation and message templates
LC EMD Travis Hughes made a presentation about the new system. Hughes said nearly all surrounding counties use the system now. He said the county has been using CODE RED, a different system at a cost of $5,000 a year but a new company bought CODE RED and want to raise the price to $10,500, Hughes said. He added that the CODE RED system is not performing as well, thus the counties switching. HYPER-REACH will charge -$6,000 to $6,500.
NEW FIRE BOARD APPOINTEE
Les Gray has been named to finish the term of Gene Davis’ term on the Dist 2 Fire Board.
Gene Davis had to resign from the Fire Board and Northeast due to medical reasons. Les Gray will finish the term for Fire Board. Motion by Michael Mouse Halcomb seconded by David Pinson.
PAYMENT FOR BLAINE FIRE DEPARTMENT
There was some controversy over the Blaine Fire Department being completed. Judge Carter will have Lawrence County Attorney Johnny Osborne to check into final payment. Motion by David Pinson and seconded by Rick Blackburn. Carter said it has taken much longer to complete than the contract calls for. He said it took five months to complete the three month project and the county will withhold funds from the contract payment to make up for it if possible.
LAWRENCE COUNTY DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK NOVEMBER 17-21
Proclamation for Lawrence County High School football team for being District Champs. They play this Friday for the Regional Championship.
TURF BOWL WINNERS
The LCYLF B team won the Turf Bowl in Huntington, W.Va. Judge Carter proclaimed November 24-28 B Team Turf Bowl Winners Week.
AGENDA
- Opening Prayer
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Call Meeting to Order
- Approve Minutes for October 21, 2025 Regular Meeting – Motion by Michael Mouse Halcomb 2nd by David Pinson. None Opposed. Roll Call.
- Approve Treasurer’s Report – Motion by Rick Blackburn 2nd by Michael Mouse Halcomb. None Opposed. Roll Call.
- Approve Bills – Motion by Rick Blackburn 2nd by Michael Mouse Halcomb. None Opposed. Roll Call.
- Appointment to Northeast Board – Motion by Michael Mouse Halcomb and 2nd by David Pinson. None Opposed. Roll Call.
- Approve Sheriffs 2026 Budget – Motion by Rick Blackburn 2nd by Michael Mouse Halcomb. None Opposed. Roll Call.
- Approve Sheriffs Order Setting Maximum Amount for Deputies and Assistants – Motion by Rick Blackburn 2nd by Michael Mouse Halcomb. None Opposed. Roll Call.
- Approve Sheriffs 2026 State Advancement – Motion by Michael Mouse Halcomb 2nd by Rick Blackburn. None Opposed. Roll Call.
- Approve Clerks 2026 Budget – Motion by Rick Blackburn 2nd by Rick Blackburn. None Opposed. Roll Call.
- Approve Clerks 2026 Deputy Salary Cap – Motion by Michael Mouse Halcomb and 2nd by John Scaggs.
- Approve Country Music Highway Resolution –
- Approve 911 Application – Motion by John Scaggs 2nd by Michael Mouse Halcomb.
- Approve Emergency Alert System Contract – Hyper-Reach – Motion by David Pinson 2nd by Rick Blackburn.
- New Fire Board Appointee – Les Gray appointed to remaining term of Gene Davis term.
- Payment for Blaine Fire Department – Motion by David Pinson 2nd by Rick Blackburn.
- Lawrence County District Championship Week November 17-21.
- Turf Bowl Winners – Judge Carter announces The B Team won the Turf Bowl.
- Public Comments – None
- Adjourn – Motion by Rick Blackburn 2nd by Michael Mouse Halcomb.
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The next Regular Scheduled Meeting will be held on Tuesday December 16, 2025 at the Lawrence County Courthouse.
