(Court members present, magistrates, John Scaggs, Mike Halcomb, David Pinson and Rick Blackburn along with judge/executive Phillip Carter.)
LOUISA, KY. — After three months of attempts, the Lawrence Co. fiscal court voted in LCHS teacher Scott Osborne after he was recommended by the Library Board. The court also renewed the expiring seats of Vice President Susie Chambers and member Marc Lester. (An earlier version of this story mistakenly said Lester had resigned).
The board seats are especially important when it comes to setting the tax rate for the board which has to be sent to the court for approval after a change in the law last year. County judge/executive Phil Carter and other members of the court have said publicly the Library Board’s 14.2% share of county tax monies is too much and want the share lowered by at least half.
Ironically the new President of the Library Board is former Judge Executive John Osborne who was approved by Judge Carter and the current court. Osborne also complained aloud about the high rate of the library tax when in office.
But County Librarian Carlie Pelphrey says she is proud of the facility and considers it one of the best in the area. She told The Lazer recently that the budget for keeping the library in good financial condition and offer the services provided there is a need for the current level of the tax monies.
Editor’s note– (Ms. Pelphrey said today (Wednesday) that the board has indeed lowered the tax rate in recent years. In fact the board lowered the rate from 14.2 to 13.2 this year)
Secretary Cathi Wells resigned from the board so Osborne will replace Wells.
(Apologies to all for the mistakes in the first version, I’ll try to do better…Mark)
In other action this morning the court;
- All housekeeping details were unanimously confirmed including Opening Prayer, Pledge of Allegiance Call Meeting to Order, Approve minutes of the July 20, 2020, Regular Meeting, Approve 1st Reading of Budget Amendment #1, Approve Bills, Accept Treasurer’s Report, Accept Treasurer’s Settlement.
- The court approved a lease agreement with the Lawrence County Fair Board giving the Fair Board the flexibility to apply for state and federal grants.
- Approved a resolution between the Transportation cabinet of rural municipal aid but the purpose was not discussed.
- Approved an MOA for spay and neuter grant
- Established a new Blaine Fire Dept. resolution concerning the construction of a $400,000 fire house in the area. The item has been tabled for various reasons for more than two years.
- Agreed to lease a cabin at Yatesville Lake to ‘A Ray of Hope’ organizers.
- Schools Supt. Dr. Rob Fletcher attended the meeting and thanked the court and sheriff Chuck Jackson for all their assistance in making the opening of school smoothly. He mentioned that about 30 more students have applied for ‘home schooling’ this year than last but overall the attendance has been good considering the circumstances. “There was a group of people at the school board meeting last night to speak against masks for students but we have to go by the law which is set for at least 30 days,” Fletcher said. “Then the governor can renew it for the rest of the school year, nothing we can do.”
- He also said he was surprised to find out that Lawrence was the only county in eastern ky. that gained population during the last ten years.
- District 4 magistrate Rick Blackburn gave a special thanks to the public and all the city and county workers who pitched in to have a successful County fair this year. “I was very encouraged by the LC Fair crowds that showed up every night and that everyone worked together so well,” Judge Carter also said. Estimators judged the three day crowd at about 10,000 but those are not scientific figures.
- Blaine Creek road will receive extensive attention at least by October, deputy judge/exec. Vince Doty added.
Who is Rick Osborne???
Oh , now I understand. The article was referring to Rick Blackburn. I thought I had missed an election.
Old man Osborne boy
City Roads need some work Mr. Blackburn
Monday, August 16, 2021, the LCPL Board of Trustees voted to lower the library tax rate from 14.2 to 13.2. This is the fifth consecutive year the library board has voted to lower the library tax.
Further, it’s important to address the gross inaccuracies and misinformation perpetrated by this local “news source” regarding today’s fiscal court meeting.
•The library tax rate does not have to be approved by fiscal court.
•The LCPL Director, Carlie Pelfrey, (“County Librarian”) was not contacted and made none of the comments stated in this article.
•Board President Osborne has made no public statements regarding the library’s tax rates.
•Scott Osborn will fill Cathi Wells’ expiring term.
•Marc Lester has not resigned.
The LCPL Board of Trustees meet the second Monday of the month at 5:00 p.m. at the library. Meetings are open to the public.
You have to be one of the most unprofessional “journalists” in the world. The county would be a much better place if you shut down this website. No one will see this, though, because you’re a coward who picks and chooses what comments he allows to be posted.
And your name? Didn’t think so…
“(Apologies to all for the mistakes in the first version, I’ll try to do better…Mark)”
“I’ll try to do better” isn’t something you want to hear from a so-called editor for a news source. Please, enjoy retirement and stop acting like you’re a serious journalist.
My advice to you is get an education and work for a living…and stop telling other people what to do with their lives. Also if you don’t like me, don’t read it!
Tell them Mark Library Tax is a Joke
The school tax is what’s a joke. Too high and they have no justification for it.
Agree
Might need to redo this one! Too many mistakes.
Several years back an audit uncovered the library had so much money in the bank that it needed to be spent. Thus the new addition. So the money/taxes are still rolling in to the library. In a few years they will have to put a second story expansion on in order to spend down the money coming in from tax dollars. As time passes at the current tax rate 5-6 years from now the library will be the tallest building in Louisa. Someone correct me if im wrong.
I’ll correct you. You’re wrong.
The library had so much money because the previous director was tight with money and kept a ridiculously high tax rate. Since the director changed, they’ve lowered the tax rate every year.. when is the last time the school system has lowered the tax rate? Where is the public outcry over such a high tax rate when the school consistently gets low test scores and sports teams that think they’re one of the big dogs?
Agree school tax way to high and results getting worse.
What was I wrong about? Tax dollars still rolling in at a very high rate. They have to spend it somewhere. They are running out of room to expand so the only way is to go up.