LOCAL FFA CHAPTER ATTENDS MEETING
Click pic to see highlights of the regular Lawrence County Fiscal Court meeting which contains complaints from property owners and a nice salute from the local FFA chapter.
LC FISCAL COURT HAS CHANGED THE RATES AT THE STATE PARK
By Susan Salyer
The Lawrence County Fiscal Court had a Regular Meeting on Tuesday March 18, 2025 at 10AM at the Lawrence County Courthouse, 122 S. Main Cross Street, Downtown 2nd Floor, Louisa, Kentucky 41230. LC Judge Executive Phillip Carter was in attendance along with Magistrates David Pinson, Rick Blackburn and John Scaggs. Michael Mouse Halcomb was absent.
The court was one shy of yes votes with Halcomb absent with the flu and residents from part of his district showed up to nearly fill half the courtroom complaining about the condition of their roads and asking for blacktop especially in the Cedgap area. Residents demanded their road be blacktopped after being passed over many times for their share.
Deputy judge Vince Doty said he has applied for grant monies but there is no new money for blacktop. “The state regulations don’t allow us to blacktop gravel roads,” Doty said. “We can only use state blacktop money to repave existing blacktopped roads, you can’t blacktop anything else.”
At the regular meeting the court:
APPROVE MINUTES
The Minutes for February 18, 2025 Regular Meeting were unanimously approved with a Motion by Rick Blackburn seconded by David Pinson.
APPROVE TREASURERS REPORT
LC Treasurer Josh Puckett said, “The Financial Statement shows everything in the black.” Motion by Rick Blackburn seconded by John Scaggs. None Opposed.
APPROVE TREASURERS REQUEST
Josh Puckett said, “I have one request, I completed the Training hours needed last week at the Ky Treasurers Conference.” Motion by John Scaggs seconded by David Pinson.
APPROVE BILLS
Puckett said, “The bills are from the storm from last month and are mostly reimbursements.” Motion by Rick Blackburn seconded by John Scaggs. None Opposed.
SECOND READING OF BUDGET OF BUDGET AMENDMENT 1
“The Budget Amendment 1 is mostly reimbursements and this will be the Second Reading.” said, Puckett. The Court approved the Second Reading of the Budget Amendment with a Motion by Rick Blackburn 2nd by John Scaggs.
APPROVE JAIL BUDGET
LC Treasurer Puckett said, “This is a proposed Budget from the LC Fiscal Court to the BSRDC (Big Sandy Regional Detention Center) No changes, same as last year.” Motion by Rick Blackburn 2nd by David Pinson. None Opposed.
APPROVE PARK PRICE RATE CHANGE
Park RV $25
Weekday $30
Weekend $32
Holidays $34
LC Deputy Judge Vince Doty said, “We are not allowed to price less than what the Kentucky State prices are.” Motion by John Scaggs seconded by David Pinson. None Opposed.
AML RESOLUTION
Doty said, “The County is applying for 3 Grants this year, One is for Geo Thermal Exporation for $4.5 million. Second is a 60,000 square ft Spec Building for $5.1 million and lastly, is to build an Emergency Food and Storage Building for $1.1 million.” Motion by David Pinson seconded by Rick Blackburn. None Opposed.
FFA PROCLAMATION
The Students of LCHS FFA were given a signed Proclamation by LC Judge Executive Phillip Carter. All students spoke about their experiences in FFA. LCHS teacher Melissa Blackburn thanked the court on behalf of the FFA students.
ARBOR DAY PROCLAMATION
LC Judge Phillip Carter signed the Proclamation for Arbor Day. Motion by David Pinson seconded by Rick Blackburn. None Opposed
BIDS FOR SOCCER FIELD WATER AND GRASS SYSTEM
LC Deputy Judge Vince Doty said, “The county is applying for a grant for the Soccer Field and Grass System.” Motion by Rick Blackburn seconded by David Pinson. None Opposed.
COUNTY PURCHASING 2 DUMP TRUCKS
The county only had one bid for purchasing these trucks. Martin Peterbilt had the bid for $224,489 each or 2 dump trucks for $448,978. Motion by David Pinson seconded by Rick Blackburn. None Opposed.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were Cedgap neighbors who got up and spoke at the LC Fiscal Court Meeting and also Mr. Bradley from Shephard Branch. After they spoke LC Judge Executive Phillip Carter said;
“…We have the third largest road system in the State of Kentucky. Over half of our roads are gravel. We have bus routes number one, we have to get our children to school. We have limited funds, the funds that we get from the state is to resurface, they will not let us blacktop gravel roads, so we use different funds.
“…The Road Fund has $882,000 from taxes that have to be used for payroll and other bills the county acquires. The only way we can do anything to the roads is to get Kentucky State Aid. It’s in the plan to blacktop 1 mile of road at Cedgap. It’s in the plans.”
Tammy Ray, also from Cedgap, spoke of the hardships of the road and its condition. Carter advised Mrs Ray to contact “our representatives”. Mr Bradley also spoke at the court meeting about his road Shepherd Branch/Pasture Lane. Carter said, “We will take care of it.”
CHRIS JOBE ANNOUNCEMENTS
LC Clerk Chris Jobe announced that they will $6,000 for voting machines. “Also, the Fallsburg Fire Dept. in Fallsburg, we have a truck we just replaced, we have another truck title in the County’s name, we would like to declare it as Surplus. It’s a Dodge Dakota. Motion by David Pinson seconded by Rick Blackburn. None Opposed.
AGENDA
1. Opening Prayer
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Call Meeting to Order
4. Approve Minutes for February 18th Regular Meeting – Motion by Rick Blackburn 2nd by David Pinson. Roll Call. None Opposed.
5. Approve Treasurers Report – Motion by Rick Blackburn 2nd by John Scaggs. Roll Call. None Opposed.
6. Approve Treasurers Request – Motion by John Scaggs 2nd by David Pinson. Roll Call. None Opposed.
7. Approve Bills – Motion by Rick Blackburn 2nd by John Scaggs. Roll Call. None Opposed.
8. Second Reading of Budget Amendment 1 – Motion by Rick Blackburn 2nd by John Scaggs. Roll Call. None Opposed.
9. Approve Jail Budget – Motion by Rick Blackburn 2nd by David Pinson. Roll Call. None Opposed.
10. Approve Park Price Rate Change – Motion by John Scaggs 2nd by David Pinson. Roll Call. None Opposed.
11. AML Resolution – Motion by David Pinson 2nd by Rick Blackburn. Roll Call. None Opposed.
12. FFA Proclamation – Motion by Rick Blackburn 2nd by David Pinson. Roll Call. None Opposed.
13. Arbor Day Proclamation – Motion by David Pinson 2nd by Rick Blackburn. Roll Call. None Opposed.
14. Bids for Soccer field water and grass system – Motion by Rick Blackburn 2nd David Pinson. Roll Call. None Opposed.
15. Purchasing 2 Trucks – Motion by David Pinson 2nd by Rick Blackburn. Roll Call. None Opposed.
16. Public Comments – Cedgap neighbors and Mr. Bradley.
17. Adjourn – Motion by Rick Blackburn 2nd by David Pinson.
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The next regular scheduled monthly meeting will be on Tuesday April 15, 2025 at 10AM.
You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic
to be really something that I think I would never understand.
It seems too complicated and extremely broad for me.
I am looking forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the hang of it!
Phil saying there’s no money for road repairs… Meanwhile his entire family has made millions off of county funds, including road repair money. Maybe he will ask his lord and savior, I mean, president, for some assistance. I’m sure they’ll be willing to help out us in BFE eastern Kentucky… You know, like they always have… Oh, wait, that wasn’t Republicans, that was Beshear. Nevermind, my bad.