LC FISCAL COURT FACES PUBLIC COMMENTS
By Susan Salyer
The Lawrence County Fiscal Court, 122 S. Main Cross Street, Louisa Kentucky 41230 had a Regular Meeting on Tuesday April 21, 2026 at 10AM. LC Judge Executive Phillip Carter was in attendance along with the LC Magistrates David Pinson, Rick Blackburn, Michael Mouse Halcomb and John Scaggs.
APPROVE MINUTES
The Minutes for March 17, 2026 were unanimously approved with a Motion by Rick Blackburn and seconded by Michael Mouse Halcomb.
APPROVE TREASURERS REPORT
The Treasurers Report was unanimously approved with a Motion by Michael Mouse Halcomb and seconded by David Pinson.
APPROVE BILLS
The Bills were unanimously approved with a Motion by David Pinson seconded by Rick Blackburn.
APPOINT BOARD MEMBERS TO BIG SANDY WATER BOARD
LC Judge Carter appointed Paul Walker to the Big Sandy Water Board and David Pinson made a Motion and John Scaggs seconded. None Opposed. Carter also appointed former Louisa waterworks director David McGuire to the Big Sandy Water Board. Motion by David Pinson and seconded by John Scaggs. None Opposed.
CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION PROCLAMATION
The ladies from the FRYSC Family Resource Youth Service Center from Lawrence County Schools were awarded a Child Abuse Prevention Proclamation.
APPROVE SALARY SCHEDULE FOR JANUARY 1, 2027
The Salary Schedule for January 1, 2027 was unanimously approved with a Motion by Michael Mouse Halcomb and seconded by David Pinson.
FIRST READING OF FY 26/27 BUDGET
The First Reading of Fiscal Year 26/27 Budget was unanimously approved with a Motion by David Pinson and seconded by Rick Blackburn. The budget was not read alpod nor made public.
APPROVE LC EXTENSION BOARD BUDGET
The Fiscal Court unanimously approved the LC Extension Board Budget with a Motion by Rick Blackburn and seconded by Michael Mouse Halcomb. No reading aloud not copies made public.
BID TO PURCHASE PAVING EQUIPMENT
The Bid to purchase paving equipment, Skid Steer and 40 inch Coal Planer, was unanimously approved with a Motion by Rick Blackburn seconded by Michael Mouse Halcomb.
PASS THE LC EXTENSION OFFICE AGREEMENT
LC Judge Executive Carter asked to pass the LC Extension Office Agreement for use of building and fairgrounds. Motion was unanimously approved by Rick Blackburn and seconded by David Pinson. No details offered.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Zachary Tackett from Pike County, Kentucky was at the LC Fiscal Court Meeting to get the Court to pass a Resolution to represent the people of Lawrence County, Kentucky and have transparency with AEP American Appalachian Power.
Tackett is an advocate for the public and the resolution means Lawrence Co. Court supports them against the huge power company that reportedly made $3 billion in profits last year.
Pike, Floyd and Letcher Counties have this Resolution in place. The Resolution was read out loud by LC Attorney Johnny Osborne. Motion by Rick Blackburn and seconded by Michael Mouse Halcomb. None Opposed.
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Amy and Jerry Whelan were both present to speak to the LC Fiscal Court.
Amy Whelan, who stood before the court, lives out Route 32 behind the Home Show on US 23. They have a pond on their property that has never backed up. But currently it is flooding the Home Show and now they have to move because the runoff from the excavation by the county. She wondered why there were no barriers for erosion.
“There’s a 15 foot ditch that has eroded and has completely blocked our pond which is now 1 foot higher. It’s a very large pond.” Whelan told the court.
“The Home Show has been calling the county repeatedly. It’s got to be fixed.
LC Judge Executive Carter said, “I have turned it over to the Division of Water and when they look at it, they will make a determination, because John owns a strip and the county owns from that.” We didn’t interfere but I have already called the Division of Water and they will take a look at it and see what they say.”
Amy said, “The Home Show thinks it’s the county’s responsibility, too.”
Carter said, “It’s your pond, it’s not my responsibility.”
Amy said, “Do you ever take responsibility for erosion?
Carter said, “No, I don’t take it, you have eroded all of our land down through there with all the water coming down…..”
Amy said, “I own above you, that’s John’s….”
Carter said, “The water is coming over on us. I have turned it over to the Division of Water they will make a determination.”
Amy said, “If you had erosion control, which most job sites have, there is a large ditch directly from your excavation, Phil, and the pond has been there 54 years.”
Carter said, “The Division of Water will look at it.”
Amy said, “When did you turn it over to them?”
Carter said, “Several days ago.”
Amy said, “Well the Home Show said they have been calling it in for months now.”
Carter said, “No they have not been calling me for months, I go there and talk to them, It is not my responsibility that the pond is putting water over on us and eroding our property and your pond needs a spillway and that pond, What if it breaks?”
Amy said, “It can’t break it’s blocked off, there has been a ditch with a pipe…..”
Carter said, “I have turned it over to the Division of Water and they will make a decision. Thank you” Amy Whelan took her seat.
Husband Jerry Whelan approached the lectern and said, “These are the pictures I took yesterday.”
Carter said, “We don’t need any pictures.”
Jerry said, “This is a picture of your land, you see it is eroding into the Home Show.”
Carter said, “We have turned it over to the Division of Water and they will make determination.”
Jerry said, “I just want you to take responsibility…..”
Carter said, “Thank you, Thank you for coming.”
Jerry said, “At least when I leave here I will leave with my honor and integrity.”
No decision was made on this problem.
Meeting was adjourned with a Motion by Rick Blackburn and seconded by Michael Mouse Halcomb.
AGENDA
- Opening Prayer
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Call Meeting to Order
- Approve Minutes for March 17, 2026 Regular Meeting – Motion by Rick Blackburn 2nd by Michael Mouse Halcomb. None Opposed. Roll Call.
- Approve Treasurer’s Report – Motion by Michael Mouse Halcomb and 2nd by David Pinson. None Opposed. Roll Call.
- Approve Bills – Motion by David Pinson 2nd by Rick Blackburn. None Opposed. Roll Call.
- Appoint Board Members to Big Sandy Water Board – Paul Walker, Motion by David Pinson 2nd by John Scaggs. David McGuire, Motion by David Pinson and 2nd by John Scaggs. None Opposed. Roll Call.
- Child Abuse Prevention Proclamation – FRYSC at LC Schools.
- Approve Salary Schedule for January 1, 2027 – Motion by Michael Mouse Halcomb 2nd by David Pinson. None Opposed. Roll Call.
- First Reading of FY 26/27 Budget – Motion by David Pinson 2nd by Rick Blackburn. None Opposed. Roll Call.
- Approve LC Extension Board Budget – Motion by Rick Blackburn 2nd by Michael Mouse Halcomb. None Opposed. Roll Call.
- Bid for Purchase of Skid Steer and 40 inch Coal Planer – Motion by brick Blackburn 2nd by Michael Mouse Halcomb. None Opposed. Roll Call.
- Pass the LC Extension Office Agreement – Motion by Rick Blackburn 2nd by David Pinson. None Opposed. Roll Call.
- Public Comments – See above.
- Adjourn – Motion by Rick Blackburn 2nd by Michael Mouse Halcomb.
