Bobby Preece appointed to the Board of Appeals
By Susan Salyer
The Lawrence County Fiscal Court had a Regular Scheduled Monthly Meeting on Tuesday June 16, 2026 at 10AM at the LC Courthouse, 122 S. Main Cross Street, Downtown, 2nd Floor, Louisa, Kentucky 41230. LC Judge Executive Phil Carter was in attendance along with the LC Magistrates including David Pinson, Rick Blackburn, Michael Mouse Halcomb and John Scaggs.
APPROVE MINUTES
The Minutes of the previous meeting 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 David Pinson and seconded by Michael Mouse Halcomb. This was the conversation:
LC Treasurer Josh Puckett said, “On the Financial Statement, you’ll notice the cash balance, which is cash, in every account. Under that line you will notice encumbrances, that’s the amount of money already spent on behalf of the county. Under General Fund part of that money $344,000. That’s the $295,000, we received from the Community Center sale. So that’s actual spending money. So we are cash wise, upside down in a couple of these accounts right now. So we have to move some money around and talk about spending today because we don’t have the money in the accounts to spend anymore for the rest of the year. If the court allows us to use these funds for Bills with the understanding that the money will be put back in the account. We have some reimbursements that should be here in a couple of weeks. We have had a delay in Gas and Oil tax that was supposed to be here in April or May, it’s not coming till August. We are going to put the money back, but we are going to have to spend it today to be able to cover the bills that have already come out. Are there any questions about the Financial Statement?
Phil Carter said, “I need a Motion and a second to approve the treasurers report.”
Rick Blackburn said, “You’re asking us to spend money {we don’t have}?”
Josh Puckett said, “I will be asking for that later, I will give you the rundown. We have some accounts that are negative under encumbrances.”
Blackburn said, “What about money from the scrap metal? Was that used to purchase equipment? Like a bush hog?”
Carter said, “It’s like when we put it in the Road Fund or whatever.”
Blackburn said, “I recommend you put the funds back in the Road fund.”
David Pinson said, “Do you just need a Motion?”
Puckett said, “This shows where we are at right now. Do you understand this is where the county is financially?”
Pinson said, “I make the Motion to approve.”
Michael Mouse Halcomb, “I second.”
None opposed.
APPROVE BILLS
The Bills were unanimously approved with a Motion by Michael Mouse Halcomb and seconded by John Scaggs. This was the conversation: Josh Puckett said, “As of now, without you allowing me to use that money, we will just be waiting. We can approve it today but we can’t pay the bills without more cash coming in, which would put us in danger of late fees that we are not allowed to incur. So we have to approve daily bills. We will get to how it actually falls on number 10 (on the agenda)
SECOND READING Of FISCAL YEAR 26/27 BUDGET
The 26/27 Budget was unanimously approved with a Motion by Rick Blackburn and seconded by Michael Mouse Halcomb. Josh Puckett said, “So this item is the budget presented last time. I’ve made one change based on your guys request from last time. We are going to create a Special Fund and open a checking account.”
SET SALARIES FOR FISCAL YEAR 26/27
The salaries for Fiscal Year 26/27 were unanimously approved with a Motion by David Pinson and seconded by Johnny Scaggs. No figures provided.
APPROPRIATION LINE-ITEM FIXES
The Appropriation Line-Item Fixes were unanimously approved with a Motion by Rick Blackburn and seconded by Johnny Scaggs. Puckett said, “It’s what we do this time of year, it is moving money within the Budget to bring everything positive, This balances the Budget.”
TREASURERS REQUEST
The Treasury Request was unanimously approved with a Motion by David Pinson and seconded by Rick Blackburn. Puckett said, “I have a couple of requests, the first one is we have 2 checking accounts opened City for Cemetery Fund and the Forestry Fund. Both of these should be wrote out of the General Fund. These accounts are dormant accounts. So what I’m asking for is to close the 2 checking accounts and move the funds to the General Fund. I need approval from the court to close these 2 accounts.”
BUDGET AMENDMENTS
The Budget Amendments were unanimously approved with a Motion by Rick Blackburn and seconded by Michael Mouse Halcomb. Puckett said, I need to open an account at Citizens because that’s where all our other accounts are. This account will be for construction.
Also, we are short on cash, so I’m going to ask all non-essential spending to be suspended until we get cash. I need to use $250,000, of that money from the sale of the community center to pay our bills this month. Puckett said, “Again we have reimbursements for around $90,000 which is supposed to be in a couple of weeks.”
Phil Carter said, “I need a Motion and a second.”
Rick Blackburn said, “The only way I will make it is if you put it back. It’s real property.”
Michael Mouse Halcomb said, “I will make that Motion as long as the funds are moved back.”
David Pinson said, “I make the second.”
Puckett said, “We received more money in the Road Fund this year from FEMA and Grants we anticipated when we spent that money. This also includes the Jail Budget, we need to reflect this in the Budget. These items have been spent that are not reflected in the Budget because you guys know the budget is a guessing game. You’re guessing how much will come in and how much you spend. Then at the end of the year you have to go in and say this is what we actually spent.” The item was unanimously approved with a Motion by David Pinson and seconded by Rick Blackburn.
SET MEETING FOR THE END OF JUNE
The Court decided to set the June Budget Meeting for Monday June 29, 2026 at 10AM. Motion by David Pinson and seconded by Rick Blackburn.
APPOINT BOARD OF APPEALS MEMBER
Carter appointed Bobby Preece to the Board of Appeals. Motion by Rick Blackburn and seconded by Michael Mouse Halcomb.
VOTE FOR HEALTH INSURANCE FISCAL YEAR 26/27
The health insurance for fiscal year 26/27 was unanimously passed with a Motion by David Pinson and seconded by Michael Mouse Halcomb. Deputy Judge Vince Doty said, “We have 2 different companies, AETNA and United Healthcare. The United Healthcare is a little less than AETNA last year. Plus it has zero co-payments on doctor visits and urgent care is a little bit less. So I recommend United Healthcare.”
OPEN MATERIALS BID
Pipe Bids received by the court were from Kentucky Contracting Supply, in Grayson, Kentucky and Civilcon Inc. in Jeffersonville, Indiana. The winning bid was given to Kentucky Contracting Supply.
Vehicle and Equipment Bids were unanimously accepted with a Motion by Rick Blackburn and seconded by David Pinson. This was the discussion.
Rick Blackburn said, “Judge can I say something?”
Phil Carter said, “Yes”
Blackburn said, “ I think we should have a list.”
Carter said, “There is a list, there is a lot of this stuff we are not using and it costs too much to repair.”
Blackburn said, “I’m not saying some of it should go, but we don’t have a clue of what’s what. I do know that what’s on that list we use some of it each day.”
Carter said, “We can table it and get a list. We need a Motion and second.”
Blacktop Bids were received from Ingle Black Top LLC, American Asphalt, Lawson Paving and Mountain Enterprises. The winning bids went to American Asphalt LLC. Motion by David Pinson and seconded by Rick Blackburn.
Gravel Bids were received by the court. The winning bid was awarded to Buffalo Valley Resources and Liberty Stone. Motion by Rick Blackburn and seconded by David Pinson.
Fuel Bids only had one bid. The bid was awarded to Jones Oil Company in Pikeville, Kentucky. Motion was made by Rick Blackburn and seconded by David Pinson.
Dirt Slingers Excavation LLC. had the winning bid. There was only one bid submitted.
APPROVE SOLID WASTE BOARD MINUTES
LC Solid Waste Coordinator Paul Walker said, “We were requested to review the Solid Waste prices. We did, it was changed to raise the City Rate to $20 and garbage to $23. First and foremost we try to keep the prices low for our Lawrence County citizens and at the same time we also have to consider that the haulers have to make money. There are 600 and some miles in Lawrence County to pick up garbage. The main thing we have to do is keep garbage service in the county.”
Motion to Approve the Solid Waste Minutes by David Pinson and seconded by Michael Mouse Halcomb.
APPROVE CONSERVATION BUDGET
No discussion about the Conservation Budget. Motion to approve by Rick Blackburn and seconded by Michael Mouse Halcomb.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
LC Schools Superintendent Katie Webb said,
“Citizens can come to LCHS or FALLSBURG on Wednesday’s and pick up kid’s meals for the week.
There is no charge and you will receive 7 Breakfast meals and 7 lunch meals. The age limit is birth to 18. We prepared 800 meals last week and I think we had 9 meals left over. This will run for 5 weeks ending on July 8, 2026.”
Webb added, “Update on the LC Community Center. On June 4, 2026 we had a Bond sale so now I’m waiting for the Bond payment which should arrive around June 22 or 23rd. As soon as I get notification I will let you know. We can arrange a time to get the funds from us to the court.”
AGENDA
- OPENING PRAYER
- PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
- CALL MEETING TO ORDER
- APPROVE MINUTES FOR MAY 22ND SPECIAL MEETING – Motion by Rick Blackburn 2nd by Michael Mouse Halcomb. None Opposed. Roll Call.
- APPROVE TREASURER’S REPORT – Motion by David Pinson 2nd by Michael Mouse Halcomb. None Opposed. Roll Call.
- APPROVE BILLS – Motion by Michael Mouse Halcomb and 2nd by Johnny Scaggs. None Opposed. Roll Call.
- SECOND READING OF FISCAL YEAR 26/27 BUDGET – Motion by Rick Blackburn and 2nd by Michael Mouse Halcomb. None Opposed. Roll Call.
- SET SALARIES FOR FISCAL YEAR 26/27 – Motion by David Pinson and 2nd by John Scaggs. None Opposed. Roll Call.
- APPROPRIATION LINE-ITEM FIXES
- TREASURERS REQUEST – Motion by David Pinson and 2nd by Rick Blackburn. None Opposed. Roll Call.
- BUDGET AMENDMENTS – Motion by Rick Blackburn and 2nd by Michael Mouse Halcomb. None Opposed. Roll Call.
- SET SPECIAL MEETING FOR END OF JUNE – Motion by David Pinson and 2nd by Rick Blackburn. None Opposed. Roll Call.
- APPOINT BOARD OF APPEALS MEMBER – Motion by Rick Blackburn and 2nd by Michael Mouse Halcomb. None Opposed. Roll Call.
- VOTE FOR HEALTH INSURANCE FISCAL YEAR 26/27 – Motion by David Pinson and 2nd by Michael Mouse Halcomb. None Opposed. Roll Call.
- OPEN MATERIAL BIDS – See In Story.
- APPROVE SOLID WASTE BOARD MINUTES – Motion by David Pinson and 2nd by Michael Mouse Halcomb. None Opposed. Roll Call.
- APPROVE CONSERVATION BUDGET – Motion by Rick Blackburn and 2nd by Michael Mouse Halcomb. None Opposed. Roll Call.
- PUBLIC COMMENTS – See in Story.
- ADJOURN – Motion by Rick Blackburn and 2nd by Michael Mouse Halcomb.
