FISCAL COURT NAMES KEVIN WILSON AS LIAISON FOR COMMUNICATIONS FOR LAWRENCE COUNTY
By Susan Salyer
The Lawrence County Fiscal Court had a Regular Meeting on Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at 10AM at the Lawrence County Courthouse, 122 S. Main Cross Street, Louisa, Kentucky. LC Judge Executive Phillip Carter was in attendance along with the LC Magistrates including David Pinson, Rick Blackburn, Michael Mouse Halcomb and John Scaggs.
APPROVE AUGUST 18, 2026 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
The August 18, 2026 Regular Meeting Minutes were unanimously approved with a Motion by Michael Mouse Halcomb and seconded by Rick Blackburn.
APPROVE SEPTEMBER 1, 2026 SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
The September 1, 2026 Special Meeting Minutes were unanimously approved with a Motion by David Pinson and seconded by Michael Mouse Halcomb.
APPROVE SEPTEMBER 8, 2026 SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
The September 8, 2026 Special Meeting Minutes were unanimously approved with a Motion by Rick Blackburn and Michael Mouse Halcomb.
APPROVE BILLS
The Bills were unanimously approved with a Motion by Rick Blackburn and seconded by David Pinson.
APPROVE TREASURERS REPORT
LC Treasurer Josh Puckett said, “We have a couple of items that show ‘encumbrances’, which will be covered by the General Fund.” He did not say what the items concern. Motion by Michael Mouse Halcomb and seconded by Rick Blackburn. None Opposed.
TREASURERS REQUEST
LC Treasurer Josh Puckett said, “The procurement amount for bidding is set at $40,000 if you want you can leave it the same or change it to $50,000” Also the second request concerns Payroll Administration Codes that need to be changed on the Personnel Policy per Kentucky State Law.” Motion by David Pinson and seconded by Rick Blackburn. The Magistrates unanimously approved the second request with a Motion by David Pinson and seconded by Michael Mouse Halcomb.
RIVERSIDE GENERATING
LC Deputy Judge Vince Doty said, “We need a new Resolution for the Bond process because the amount will change.” Motion by Rick Blackburn and seconded by Michael Mouse Halcomb. None Opposed.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Assistant Chief of Fallsburg Fire Department Kevin Wilson came to speak at the meeting. Wilson said, “My issue is with Rapid Ambulance Service which are getting progressively worse. They have no communications with 911 service, no radios, unless the volunteers purchased them privately. The volunteers have active alert and rotate trucks for each call. Their run times take too long and it’s unacceptable. An active Ordinance needs to be in place that all 911 services have radios.”
Phil Carter said, “I didn’t know about this until the last 911 meeting, but it’s been addressed.”
Rick Blackburn said, “We need an Ordinance that states they need radios.”
Chris Jobe said, “They have been told to get radios within a week. We need an Inter-Local agreement with the county and local ambulance services.”
Kevin Wilson said, “The least they need to have is radios to know when they are in route.”
Phil Carter said, “We hold the certificate of need, we will tell them what they are required to have.”
Tommy Burns said, “We have a Rapid non dedicated standby request we use for football games and it’s no cost. We will share that with you.”
Kevin Wilson said, “We have a bad radio problem with communications. We are applying for the Hal Rogers Grant that will be available soon. Most goes toward Police but there needs to be a person that looks over the radio communications.
Travis is tasked with a very busy job. All our towers need fixed, there is no one to ask about specifics about radios. My question is…..or I would like to be appointed as some type of communications director of the town?”
Phil Carter said, “That falls under Travis.”
Kevin Wilson said, “This would be a voluntary position.”
Phil Carter said, “It will have to be run through 911 communications. Travis has been busy.”
Kevin Wilson said, “I just think there’s a good chance to get the Grant and someone needs to be over it.”
Chris Jobe said, “Kevin doesn’t want to step on anyone’s toes he spends a lot of hours being a liaison.”
Travis Hughes said, “That would help me out tremendously.”
Kevin Wilson said, “I’m not trying to take over.”
Chris Jobe said, “He would report to the county about all the radios.”
Kevin Wilson said, “We need someone who can organize all the communications.”
Phil Carter said, “We need a Motion.”
The magistrates unanimously approved having Kevin Wilson as a liaison between all the departments and the county. Motion by Rick Blackburn and seconded by Michael Mouse Halcomb.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The change in ambulance service for the county has not been brought up in fiscal court although the change from Patriot, the county’s previous service to the new RAPID EMS took place March 10, Deputy judge Vince Doty said today. A call to the county judge’s office did not result in any explanation about the change while searching for some type of communication they can make with the company. Judge Exec. Phillip Carter said he has a meeting with RAPID EMS next week.
Superintendent of Lawrence County Schools Katie Webb
Superintendent of Lawrence County Schools Katie Webb said, “We are on day 22 with kids in school. I want to talk about Chronic Absenteeism which is a little different than truancy. The number of days a student misses for an excuse or unexcused. Defined federally, Chronic Absenteeism is when a student misses 10% or more of a school year. If they miss 17 days of school they miss school learning. Kids need to be in school. State-wide the Chronic Absenteeism in 23% Lawrence County is 34 1/2 percent Chronic Absenteeism. We don’t want the kids to lose learning by being absent over the years. Thats all I have.”
LC Clerk Chris Jobe said, “The election is right around the corner. Also KACO is sponsoring an Art Contest. I believe Kevin Wilson has the time, experience and knowledge and he will do a great job.”
AGENDA
- OPENING PRAYER
- PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
- CALL MEETING TO ORDER
- APPROVE AUGUST 18, REGULAR MEETING MINUTES – Motion by Michael Mouse Halcomb and 2nd by Rick Blackburn. None Opposed. Roll Call.
- APPROVE SEPTEMBER 1, SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES – Motion by David Pinson and 2nd by Michael Mouse Halcomb. None Opposed. Roll Call.
- APPROVE SEPTEMBER 8, SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES – Motion by Rick Blackburn and 2nd by Michael Mouse Halcomb. None Opposed. Roll Call.
- APPROVE BILLS – Motion by Rick Blackburn and 2nd by David Pinson. None Opposed. Roll Call.
- APPROVE TREASURERS REPORT – Motion by Michael Mouse Halcomb and 2nd by Rick Blackburn. None Opposed. Roll Call.
- TREASURERS REQUEST – Motion by David Pinson and 2nd by Michael Mouse Halcomb. None Opposed. Roll Call.
- FINANCIAL REPORT – Skipped per Josh Puckett
- RIVERSIDE GENERATING – Motion by Rick Blackburn and 2nd by Michael Mouse Halcomb. None Opposed. Roll Call.
- PUBLIC COMMENTS – Kevin Wilson, Katie Webb and Chris Jobe.
- ADJOURN – Motion by Rick Blackburn and seconded by Michael Mouse Halcomb.
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The next Regular Scheduled meeting will be held on Tuesday October 20, 2026 at the Lawrence County Courthouse at 10AM.
