March 28, 2018
The Lawrence Co. Fiscal Court met Tuesday for the regular meeting which had been postponed by order of Judge/Exec. John Osborne with no reason given. Those in attendance were John Osborne Judge/Exec., Morris Howard, Magistrate District #1, John J. Lemaster, Magistrate Dist. #2, Earl Boggs, Magistrate District #3, Rick Blackburn, Magistrate Dist. #4, Chris Jobe, County Clerk and Garrett Roberts, Sheriff. The meeting was opened with a prayer from Chris Jobe.
In Tuesday’s action the court:
* Approved unanimously all motions except otherwise noted. Minutes of the February 20, 2018 meeting, Motion by John Lemaster,second by Morris Howard
* Approved 1st reading of Budget Amendment #5, Motion by Earl Boggs, second by John J. Lemaster
* Approved Treasurer’s Request, Bills and Treasurer Report.
The Treasurer had requested funds in the amount of $9,409.96 to County Attorney Employee, $5,000 for pipes and $798.00 for medical juvenile housing.
* Approved April as Child Abuse Prevention Month, motion by Morris Howard, second by John Lemaster
* Approved the Ky. Transportation Rural Secondary Road Program 2018 2019 FY. Motion by Morris Howard, second by John J. Lemaster
* Approved Resolution between County and State of Ky for $125,000.00 for Yellow Creek Road. No description of project.
* Approved the Jail Fund Budget FY18-19, motion by John Lemaster , second by Earl Boggs. No total read aloud.
* Adopted and approved resolution on the Execution of MOA between Fiscal Court and Commonwealth of Ky, motion by Rick Blackburn, second by Earl Boggs. No description.
* The Fiscal Court then opened bids for lawn service for the County mowing. Bid went to Premier Mowing and Landscaping for $2,150. MO.
* Accepted a viewing report for clousure of a portion of West Clayton Lane, motion by John J. Lemaster, second by Morris Howard
* Approved to Recognize April as Fair Housing Month in Law. Co. , motion by Rick Blackburn, second by John J. Lemaster
* Approved planning and zoning ordinance typo corrections, motion by Morris Howard, second by John Lemaster
* Approved resolution for truck lease. Motion by Rick Blackburn, second by John Lemaster
* Approved resolution to make Levisa Fork a Designated Water Trail, motion by John Lemaster, second by Rick Blackbun
* Reappointed Carolyn Thompson to the LC Housing Authority
* Accepted the Clerk’s 2017 Financial Report motion by John Lemaster, second by Earl Boggs. No figure read aloud.
* Accepted Clerks Excess Fees,motion by Rick Blackburn,second by John Lemaster. No figure read aloud.
* Accepted Sheriff’s 2017 Fee Settlement , motion by Earl Boggs, second John Lemaster. No figure read aloud.
* Accepted LC Conservation District Annual Budget FY18-19 motion by John Lemaster, second by Rick Blackburn. No total read aloud.
* Approved Proclamation of April being Pride Spring Clean up Month, motion by Earl Boggs, second by John J. Lemaster
* Judge Osborne then called for a vote on the highly questioned program Needle Exchange/Harm Reduction Program. There were no (yes) votes. All Magistrates in one voice called out “NO”. The matter then ended.
County Attorney speaks on behalf of court
“… I think this vote shows how representative democracy works. The magistrates are responsible for voting for what their constituents in each of 
their respective districts want. Although some people want the needle exchange it appears that the majority of the county do not.
This is the way the system works. I feel that the Health Department is well intentioned and passionate about their public health initiatives. However, at the end of the day the will of the people in regard to this issue has been heard.
I can’t speak for the personal feelings of anyone on the fiscal court on this one specific issue but this vote was not a knee jerk reaction by the court.
The fiscal court members and Judge Osborne did their own investigation in the intervening 2 months since the initial request was made by the Health Department to implement the needle exchange. All the various stake holders such as the health department, law enforcement, and citizens were asked for input. Other officials in area counties were consulted and a needle exchange was toured. Some people may be upset but I think they should respect the decision that was made as being very conscientious of the issue.”
Thompson Sanitation discussion
* There were several comments from the community on Thompson Sanitation not only not picking up garbage for several weeks, but keeping the money that customers have sent them for services not received.
“Thompson’s Sanitation is done,” Osborne said. “The county attorney is taking the names of the people who paid ahead and is going to try and get their money back.”
A company out of the extreme west of the County complained that no one was picking up garbage in that area. The company, Childers Sanitation, is a permitted company in Carter Co. and was asking for Lawrence County to grant permission to pick up garbage where they live.
Cole Holder and Shiela Childers representatives of the company stated, “I live in Lawrence Co. Why can’t I make a living in the County where I live?”
Judge Osborne stated emphatically, “We have all the haulers we need at this time, Thompson Sanitation has gone out of business and is selling equipment to repay its customers if possible. If there are any complaints have them call the Judge’s office.”
The meeting was then adjourned.
