Woodford County Fiscal Court - Regular Meeting

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I'll call this meeting of the Woodford County Fiscal Court. Madam Treasurer, please call the order.

Square Taylor. Here. Square Gentry. Here. Square Varner. Here. Square Carl. Here. Square Downey. Here. Square Blackford. Square Gill. Here. Square Brown. Here.

Thank you, Madam Treasurer. Here to offer our invocation this evening is Reverend Tony Harden from Journey Church.

Thank you, Judge. To start, I'd like to share from the Gospel of Matthew. Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave. Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Would you all pray with me?

God, I come to you tonight and the word that I have tonight is sacrifice. And Lord, I say this not as an indictment to anyone in this room, but too many times when people seek a higher office, Lord, they do so for personal gain, which is not what you ordain. Lord, you tell us to be servant leaders. And so tonight I want to pray a blessing on these men and women sitting around this table that they would be just that. Lord, I pray a blessing of protection on them. And most of all, I pray that they would find a joy regardless of their circumstances, which can only come through knowing you. Lord, we just love you. We are so thankful to be in the community that we're living in, to be blessed with the servant leaders that we have. And tonight we offer all of our prayers in the name of your Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. Amen. Thank you.

If you're able, please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

All right. Adam Bailey's calling. All right, we have a good of the county program tonight. For the good of the county, the greatest county in all of the universe, Woodford County, tonight we recognize some of our newest state champions. We have with us Cooper Probst, Nathan Ott, Harrison Greider, Emma Roberts, and we're missing Carolina Rea, but we know that she's here with us in spirit. And if you all would, please come to the podium as we recognize you this evening. Thank you all for being here. I want to first say that Woodford County is blessed with a long history of great agricultural education programs at Woodford County High School and Middle School. And we have some of the brightest minds and young students who are in our FFA, in our agricultural education programs, and coming up through our 4-H programs as well. And these young Woodford Countians have reached the pinnacle. They have arrived at a place where they represented our community on the statewide stage and they have excelled and achieved what everyone strives to achieve when they compete in our competitions and they have come out of it as champions. And so we recognize Cooper Probst Cooper was a member of the High School Ag Sales Career Development Event Team and earned the distinction of the 2026 Kentucky FFA Agricultural Sales State Champions. Nathan Ott also played an important role on the Agricultural Sales Career Development Team and became the 2026 Kentucky FFA Agricultural Sales State Champion. Harrison Grider, also on the event team, claimed the title of 2026 Kentucky FFA Ag Sales State Champion. Emma Roberts also joined that team, and Emma's outstanding individual performance earned her second highest individual score in the entire state competition, reflecting her exceptional knowledge, professionalism, and commitment to ag education. Of course, Carolina Rea is not here with us, but she earned the title of Kentucky FFA Prepared Public Speaking State Champion, qualifying her to represent the Commonwealth of Kentucky at the National FFA Convention in October. So ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to welcome and give a big round of applause to our FFA Joining us here tonight is also Connor Richardson, who is one of their biggest fans and supporters and also a great agriculture educator at Woodford County High School and works alongside Tracy Probst every day to make our ag program one of the best in the states. But you all have earned this great acknowledgement through your preparation, through your teamwork, working together, your determination and your commitment to excellence, and you bring great pride to your families, to Woodford County High School, to our FFA chapter, the alumni of which many sit in this room tonight, and to our great county. You all have raised the standard of excellence across the board, and you've done so in a way that makes both you and your fellow students fellow event team members, you all are the gold standard for Woodford County. So I'd offer up the floor, Emma, to you to start if you'd like to say any words. And Nathan, Harrison, and Cooper, we'd welcome you all to say a few words as well.

um yeah first and foremost i want to say thank you all for having us here tonight in order to celebrate us on our win for state that's of course really big for us but i also want to say thank you to the people at woodford feed they allowed us to actually go there and actually work with the chainsaws and stuff which was our product that we were selling i know speaking for myself and also everybody else that gave me a lot of knowledge just in that industry personally i had worked a lot more in the animal and plant industry and not really on the mechanical chain side sort of thing. So being able to actually work with them and ask them those kind of questions really helped me in my experience. But overall, being on the agricultural sales team really helped me develop professionalism, but also just those sales tactics that I know can help me in the future also.

Thank you, Emma.

I just want to say thank you guys for having us out tonight. Your support, it means a lot to us, and we appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you, Harrison.

I mean, really, coming into this thing, I was pretty nervous. Mr. Richardson, or a lot of you know him as Connor, he kind of drug me into it and convinced me. And really, it was a really good decision for me. And coming onto this team and having my teammates, you know, getting to know them better and get to know Connor and his wife better, that really, you know, That helped me out. That made me progress as a person more. Winning this competition in general, it really means a lot to me. I don't win a lot of things, but coming here and hearing your guys' support, hearing everybody else's support, it means a lot, and I appreciate you all. Thank you, Nathan.

Thank you. I just want to thank you all, too. I think Emma covered most of the people. I'll thank, too, with With Woodford Feed and all the supporters that we have throughout the county, we wouldn't be here without your support. And just thank you all once again.

Thank you. Thank you, Cooper. And I know that I remember when Cooper was shorter than me.

Now he's taller than most of you all.

And now he's a state champion. So we're so happy for you. We'd like to invite you to come over to the banner and take a photo at this time.

Thank you.

Everybody, let's back in here.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you. So I would like to recognize Cooper Probst. Cooper is going to come up. Cooper is going to come up and talk about the 4-H and FFA youth ham and livestock sale. I think so. You mind to turn on the mic there, Cooper?

So the 4-H sale that James K., just mentioned is heavily supported with the rodeo that we do each fall. the the rodeo uh or the the the the concessions there a bunch or a bunch or all the proceeds will will go to to support the will go to support the the kids who who actually have a ham or or livestock animal to to sell at the uh sale i know i'm speaking from my personal experience i have a I have greatly been impacted by the rodeo. I have received a bunch of support from the Farm Bureau and the cattlemen throughout my years of showing livestock. It's always been a great experience for For me, I've learned key financial things, and through those financial things, I learned that you do have to spend a little money to get some. After each sale, I still save a bit, so I have enough to purchase new livestock animals for the next year. And this has allowed me to continuously stay in the livestock production. But for the kids who aren't as fortunate as me to live and grow up on a farm, they still have the opportunity to do a country ham through 4-H. Those can be sold in a live auction or private auction. They still get sold, and it teaches the same financial lessons that I have learned, but you're just learning it through a country ham, not a living animal. But I would like to ask for y'all's support to come out to the rodeo and just support the kids like me. It really does make a big difference in all of our lives. So I hope to see you all there and thank you very much.

Thank you, Cooper. You all give it up for Cooper. We appreciate Cooper's mentorship and tutelage of a great farmer, Mr. Vernon Leach, who's also taught him how to cook a few burgers as well. I believe, Mr. Vernon, he may have a few burger lessons for you through the years as well.

I have a lot more cooking to do. I have messed up on some of the rules.

Vernon's rule is that if you drop a burger or a dog, then you have to commit to cook another time. Or time or two. That's a pretty good way to keep volunteers. Thank you all. Thank you for that indulgence. We really appreciate our... our young superstars in the Woodford County FFA and our newest state champions. It's so wonderful to celebrate both our athletic achievements and our trade achievements like the event team for the FFA. So we're so proud of our ag program, our teachers, our students, and the support they get from our schools and community. Thank you all. I would like to now open up the floor for any public comment. Anybody wishing to make a public comment, the floor is open for you. Seeing none, we'll move on to the approval of the minutes of our special and regular meetings of June 23rd. Are there any additions or corrections with those minutes? Seeing none, are there any objections to approving same? Also seeing none, I'll approve the minutes without objection. Moving on to reports, Madam Treasurer, your report, please.

I don't have a financial report tonight, but I do have the year-end financial reports that I sent to everyone, and I need a motion to accept those into the record.

Motion by Squire Brown, second by Squire Carl. Are there any questions about the year-end report? Seeing none, all those in favor, please vote and signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed, nay. That motion carries. The hearing reports are approved. You all are well aware of the Emergency Watershed Protection Buyout Program. It is a big financial expense for the county. Because of some of the delays with the federal government when they were in shutdown and then just the process is pretty slow, we weren't able to do any of the closings prior to fiscal year-end. And so some of these closings are definitely going to happen before this actual year-end. And we're under the election year 65-35 rule, which because of the amount of these closings... it is very likely that we would come up against that 65-35 expenditure rule. In our conversations with the Department of Local Government, they've said that this would be an eligible exemption to that rule, but it would need the fiscal court to authorize the request for an exemption. and send a letter to DLG. So I am requesting on behalf of the Treasurer and the Director of Emergency Management a request for exemption for the EWP buyout program.

Motion.

There's a motion by Squire Gill, second by Squire Brown. Are there any questions or comments? Seeing none, all those in favor, please vote and signify by saying aye.

Aye.

All those opposed, nay. That motion carries unanimously. Thank you all. Madam Treasurer, anything additional?

That's it.

Appreciate you wearing two hats this evening. Maintenance, Director Wade.

I'd like to report on the 250th year time capsule. We've had a great response to that. I even had to go get a footlocker to get the carryover.

We've got signatures inside and out.

We've got a list of the contents. I do have a couple that I that I did not get in this, but I'd like to submit it to the court. And I'd also request that I buy a plaque to put on the door in the basement to let everybody know where this is at. And when we have in 50 years, I hope they have a great time and look at what we've preserved to share. My wife is from Harrison County. They got... kind of underwhelmed on their time capsule. It had a lot of restrictive stuff in it, a few phone books, but they really didn't have much that said, And I hope this time capsule will do that. So thank you for the court for allowing me to do it. It's been a great, great time. Got a lot of nice stuff. Scott White was so nice to bring a few additions from 76, 1976. So they are there for people to look at. And they were primarily talking about the same stuff, schools and property P&Z issues. It was interesting to see. No. The second thing I have tonight for the court is requesting a purchase of a truck from the Woodford County, or Resales Fire Department, I'm sorry. It's a 2009 Ford. F-250 Super Duty four-wheel drive. It has 110,827 miles. And discussing that, they had a reserve bid on GovDeals $10,000, we've negotiated down to $8,500. They have to go through their surplusing to bring it off of GovDeals and surplus it to us. But I would like the court's permission to purchase that vehicle. We have one that's about to lay down. The transmission is going out of it, so this will be a timely buy.

Thank you, Director Wade, and I'd like to thank the City of Versailles and Chief T.A. Rankin for recognizing that we can make good use of that Ford F-250 and for offering it at a very good deal for the county and our partnership. Is there a motion to approve the vehicle purchase request of the 2009 Ford F-250 in the amount of $8,500 from the City of Versailles as presented to authorize the disbursement of funds contingent upon the City of Versailles Council's approval?

Motion.

Second. Second by Squire Carl, second by Squire Downey. Seeing no questions, all those in favor, please vote and signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed, nay. That motion carries.

After we purchase the truck, I'll be submitting a surplus for the current truck that we have. It came from the road department. I believe it has $252,000 on it. So we're wringing every dime and dollar we can get out of them. Thank you for that. I'm going to turn this over to Rick Hartley on the EADS fencing invoice and the pipe heating and air estimate. EMS station one has many splits installed all through it.

Those many splits have

been an issue for a while now and I know we've had some complaints about drainage and cleanliness of the units. What I've proposed is for Hype to come in and actually remove the units from the wall. They have a special stand that they've made that they set them on and they can dismantle the units and clean them properly which means the coals, the blower wheels will come out of them and be cleaned and if there's any blower wheels that are damaged they'll be giving me another estimate for repairs. But this is just cleaning the units themselves. And the total is $2,700 for the 20 units at $135 a piece.

Is there a motion to accept the estimate as presented?

Motion.

Motion by Squire Varner, second by Squire Gill. All those in favor, please vote and signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed, nay. That motion carries.

Okay, I also have the county road gate. I made a, we all decided that the gate needed to be more secure in county road. So I got with Eads Fence Company and had them put an automatic gate in, which everybody has a code for, a clicker like a garage door. The original quote, they went over it because I added a few things to the gate and seeing that the gate operation, once they got it going, the gate would canter over when it, cause it's 40 foot long and it would canter over. So I had them add another post and another set of guide wheels for that gate to preserve its life basically because it just couldn't do that, being such a long gate. Well, it added to the, the original quote. So let's see if I can get this paperwork right. Looks like the total amount, that's not right either, but I had my paperwork together. And I've got it here if you need it. Well, I mean, I've got $19,375 on here. That's right. So that's about $2,000 over what the original estimate was. So I guess I need approval for the extra

from the original. For the modified invoice for Eads Fency in the amount presented? Is there a motion for same? Motion. Motion by Squire Taylor. Second by Squire Carl. Are there any questions for maintenance? I really like how when you said that there was going to be more to the invoice, you sighed like, ah. See, they don't like to spend the money.

They know sometimes you have to. Well, I don't like modifying, you know, that kind of money, you know, that much. But it looks good. Thank you. Thank you.

It's a big help. It is a needed repair for sure, and I like the ability to track in and out on it as well.

I moved it back off the road. Remember, it was right beside the road, and I moved it back so we could actually pull trucks and trailers in before it had to open.

Thank you all. Great job, Mr. Hartley. All those in favor of the modified invoice approval, please vote signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed, nay. That motion carries unanimously. Judge. Yes, Squire.

Taylor. He's not up here still, but I just wanted to commend you on your all's excellent work on that stage that you all worked on for the 4th of July and your whole team's work on the 4th. You all really did an incredible job for all the 4th.

It's a team effort.

Always a team effort with me. I don't care who wants to claim it. I'm proud of all your all's work. You all have done an incredible job.

Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr. Hartley. Thank you, Director Wade. Our county clerk can't be here, but she needs for us to approve her order of allowance for the Board of Assessment Appeals as presented. Is there a motion? Motion by Squire Brown. Second by Squire Gill. All those in favor, please vote and signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed, nay. And that motion carries. We also need to approve the payment of the hand-to-eye recount expense for the county clerk as presented for the May primary. Is there a motion for say? Motion by Squire Gentry. Second by Squire Carl. Just for the record, that's $600 is the motion for that payment. There is a motion on the table. All those in favor, please vote and signify by saying aye.

Aye.

All those opposed, nay. That motion carries. We appreciate the county clerk and her deputies for all that they do. Solid waste and recycling. We do have the household hazardous waste bid and contract. I need a motion to accept the bid for MXI Environmental Services LLC for the household hazardous waste event in the amount of $40,000 for non-oil-based waste collection and hauling in the amount of $8,000 as presented and recommended by the director. Motion. Motion, Ms. Quire. Second, Ms. Quire. Taylor. Are there any questions for...

Yes. Can we just say the date for the public? September 26th. I just wanted to remind everybody.

Thank you, Squire Taylor. Any other questions or comments? Seeing none, all those in favor, please vote and signify by saying aye.

Aye.

All those opposed, nay. That motion carries. We also need to enter into the contract with MXI Environmental for the household hazardous waste event as presented and to authorize the judge executive to sign any and all documents related thereto. Motion. Motion by Squire Gill, second by Squire Varner. All those in favor, please vote and signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed, nay. That motion carries. Thank you, Joe. Anything additional? Are you all good? All right. Thank you. Thank you. Next up, the Director of Emergency Management, Mr. Drew Chandler.

Thank you, Judge. Do you have an order preference?

No. Please proceed however you prefer.

On April the 14th, the court approved an application to the U.S. Department of Agriculture to increase the number of properties in the buyout program. I believe this was circulated for an email vote, so I'm just looking to ratify that action. This takes the, I'm sorry, it increases the federal share of by $2,446,315.02 to bring the total federal share to $11,841,767.46. And so we have received this award, and what I'm asking tonight is for Judge Kaye's permission to sign this agreement, and then we can get to work on these additional properties as soon as we receive the countersigned copy back from the USDA.

Thank you, Director Chandler. Is there a motion to ratify the email approval and to authorize the signature and execution of the amended USDA grant agreement for the EWP buyout program as presented? Absolutely. Motion by Squire Gentry, second by Squire Varner. Are there any questions? Squire Gill, you're recognized.

Can you just update the county portion of that?

So it's a 75-25, so off the top of my head, that would be about $650,000 is the cost share. Thank you, Squire Taylor. $755,000 is the local cost share. Okay. Thank you.

Thank you. Any other questions or comments? Seeing none, all those in favor, please vote and signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed, nay. That motion carries.

Judge, I do think it's worth mentioning we still have the Cabinet for Economic Development's grant grant that is supplementing the local cost share portion. I don't think we have not approached the cabinet about increasing that award amount because we know there are properties that are included in the USDA's award that won't be participating. So we don't anticipate needing the additional cabinet for economic development, which lowers our net cost from 25% down to 5% cost share. So we should be okay. And I'm happy to share more specifics if anybody wants to deep dive into the data with us.

Thank you, Director Chandler. That's so important to know that, again, where state and federal are the vast majority of the expenses in the buyout program.

All right. Judge, continuing with the grant theme, yesterday morning the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security announced an application window with a tight turnaround for the fiscal year 25 and 26 state Homeland Security grant program. We have a project that was ultimately not put in the budget for the vehicle and low-rise barricades, so we'd request consideration for a resolution that would accompany the grant application to do all or some portion of that project so all our special events are protected.

So I need a motion to authorize the resolution and adopt the Resolution 26-10 for the application of Kentucky Homeland Security Grant funding. Motion. Motion by Squire Taylor, second by Squire Carl. Seeing no discussion, all those in favor, please vote and signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed, nay. That motion carries.

Judge, I will say that we are also collaborating with the City of Versailles on a project that would support the fire service and technical rescue specifically. Awesome. The last thing, Judge, is the fire update. And I know that's been covered very well. But I did want to report that the survivor assistance is very strong for this. Even we saw that with the Macy Avenue fire back in the winter. So we were hosted, and in fact, Mr. Carroll with Carroll Floor Covering allowed his facility to be used throughout the day. People were able to pop in and use the restroom and cool off. But he allowed us to have a meeting with the survivors there where they received direct financial assistance from Red Cross, the Salvation Army. The Woodford Foundation was represented. Bluegrass Community Action was starting to help locating alternative housing arrangements for these folks. And they had a place to sleep last Thursday night before lunchtime that was arranged. So I know the foundation, I was communicating with... Some of the other board members earlier today, they've received in excess of $1,000 in donations. And I think some of that has to do with Mr. Dotson's charity raffle, the Christmas in July. So that's off to a great start. And it almost felt at one point like Ben was going to tell us to back off. But we're with them. And if they need anything, they know how to get a hold of us in multiple fronts. I also want to thank all the communities, both contiguous and non-contiguous, that came to help Brazil's fire department. Anderson County even stuck around last Thursday night well past the dinner hour to help reload hose on the back of a fire truck so they could get it in service. That's always appreciated. And then again, if anybody is in the room or watching online, woodfordcountyfoundation.org is a place that you can donate online 24 hours a day. And that money is going all to the survivors.

And Director Chandler, I just want to take a moment to give a big shout out to Chief T.A. Rankin, Chief Melvin Montgomery, Bursell's Fire, Woodford Fire. We have the best firefighters in Kentucky, and they showed that. During this fire, the Burt response from our neighboring agencies that came to fight that fire was tremendous. The fact that, you know, Wilson's Pool Hall, that building is physically connected by the brick next to another building. They were able to save that neighboring building and the entire block and there was no loss of life. Unfortunately, there was a loss of Ben Wilson's dog, which is a tragedy in and of itself, but all things considered. What really shined forth that day was the collaboration and working together of our heroes, our first responders. Everyone that got to be downtown and witness what happened, you saw heroes in action, people facing very dangerous situation and running head on into the fire. and taking care of it. I know Chief Montgomery is here with us, and Chief, we want to thank you and your team for all you've done and your leadership. So thank you very much. And I want to also thank Director Chandler and his team, all of our first responders. It was a true community, whole of community effort. There were so many people pitching in and helping out, and everyday citizens bringing water and food and helping out. It was pretty amazing to see.

Woodford Sun has a line that somebody quoted me as saying is Goldie had a conveyor belt of food and beverage and it really did seem that way he was there the whole time and made sure that there were no unmet needs so again can't thank the community enough for their outpouring of support and we had several that were turned away and told check with us later we're okay right now so that's always a great thing

that's right and you know the the courthouse uh wilson's pool hall uh the corner drug the library are really the iconic staples of downtown that have been here for generations and um to see one of those facilities go up in in flames is you know it's it's it reminds me of the stories that previous generations tell this courthouse the previous courthouse going up in flames and um It was a super sad day. It was devastating. It was heartbreaking, but it was overshadowed by the love and compassion and care of our community. Woodford County's heart really shone through, and we appreciate that. Our love and our prayers are with the survivors and with the Wilson family, and we hope that they will rebuild. Thank you, Director Chandler. I do want to touch on something that affects maintenance and emergency management, and that is the Jackson Construction contract for the logistics facility. One of the things that's happened because some of the delay in executing the contract is there's a potential for... the price of the building to increase. There was also a discussion of the loading dock and an additional door. So I've asked Jackson Construction to present their best and final offer of the proposal to clarify everything for the fiscal court before a contract is signed. And so once that will happen, we already have the authorization to approve that contract. But once that happens, I'll circulate it for your all's review. Of course, maintenance and emergency management will review it. And I'm hoping we can get that contract done by the end of the week, if at all possible. Are there any questions or comments thereon? Seeing none, moving on to the general orders and unfinished business. The claims, the bills to be paid are before you.

Excuse me, Judge.

Yes.

Back to board appointments. That was before that. It's probably an oversight, but all special purpose government entities have to report their board. by the 15th of July, and that's tomorrow. And they still have an open seat on the fire board. And John Varner has applied for reappointment to that back in May. He's been with the fire district for 44 years as a fireman, a fire chief, and a board member. So I was just wondering if you would consider that appointment and we could get that done for them so they could do their business.

Well, thank you, Squire Gill. The first thing is if we are to discuss that appointment, Squire Varner would need to recuse himself from that discussion. But I purposely went over the board appointments because there is not one for your recommendation here. I've had meetings with Mr. Varner, and I'm in discussions with the fire board and the chief and their counsel who are here. But I do not have a recommendation for that board appointment this evening. Would you like to have that discussion now, or should we move on to the bills?

No, I've already said I think he's more than qualified. He's been there a long time. They want him. He wants it. He's been there for 44 years, as I said, and he's more than qualified. I don't understand what the whole bit of it is, but it's your appointment, and the fiscal court has to vote on it. So we'll leave it at that.

I would clarify that it is the fiscal court's appointment upon my recommendation. And I'm working on that recommendation and communicating with the Fire District Board. But if we continue the conversation, I'll have to ask Squire Varner to be recused. It's up to you, Squire Gill.

I've said my piece. I don't understand what the holdup is on his reappointment.

Well, I will say that... that Mr. John Varner, the chair of the Fire District Board, was the recommendation of both me and this court for the past two times. But we are having a conversation about the tax rate for the Woodford County Fire District. And I would personally prefer to have those conversations offline. But again, if we're going to continue the conversation, we wouldn't need the recusal.

It's up to the court. It's not up to me.

Seeing no further discussion or motion thereon, I'll move on to the claims. The bills to be paid by this county are before you. Is there a motion to approve the claim for net recovery in the amount of $16,500 using opiate settlement funds? Motion. Motion by Squire Carl. Second. Second by Squire Taylor. All those in favor, please vote and signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed, nay. That motion carries. We need to approve the claim in the Kentucky Uniforms Inc. in the amount of $1,126.35 and the Stockyards Visa account in the amount of $1,369.19 using asset forfeiture funds. Is there a motion? Motion to describe Carl. Second to describe Varner. All those in favor, please vote and signify by saying aye.

Aye.

All those opposed, nay. And that motion carries. We also need to ratify the June 29, 2026 email approval for an additional bill list for the end of year, fiscal year. Is there a motion? Motion. Motion by Squire Taylor. Second. Second by Squire Carl. All those in favor, please vote. Signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed, nay. The motion carries. We also need to approve all of the bills to be paid. Are there any questions or comments on any of the bills to be paid? Seeing none, are there any objections to approving the bills to be paid as presented? Seeing no objection, I'll approve the bills to be paid without objection. We need to approve the transfers. Is there a motion to ratify the June 30th email approval of the quarter-end receipt and expenditure stream? Motion by Squire Gentry. Second by Squire Carl. All those in favor, please vote and signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed, nay. That motion carries. We also need to approve the transfers as presented. Motion by Squire Varner. Second by Squire Brown. Are there any questions? Seeing none, all those in favor, please vote and signify by saying aye.

Aye.

All those opposed, nay. That motion carries. Moving on to the personnel order, we need to ratify the July 8, 2026 email approval to approve the hiring of a full-time animal care and control officer as recommended by the supervisor reflected in the July 14, 2026 personnel order. Motion. Motion by Squire Gentry. Second. Second by Squire Taylor. All those in favor, please vote and signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed, nay. That motion, too, carries. And we need to approve the personnel order aforementioned as presented. Motion by Squire Carl, second by Squire Gentry. All those in favor, please vote and signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed, nay. That motion carries as well. The Big Sink Sidewalk Project update. I would ask Squire Varner, do you have any update that you'd like to share or...

Just that we had to go through the – we had a meeting, Zoom meeting. We had a Zoom meeting with District 7 and the KYTC, and we have to go through an appraisal process now to acquire those properties. And it's not really going to hold the project up, but it's a step that we have to make now. So that's in the process. I think we've got approval on that, and it's moving forward. And I know, Judge, yourself and I, we have pushed as hard as we can to keep this moving and try to get this thing under construction. So hopefully I've reported to our district on what we've found out. So hopefully this will start moving rapidly.

Thank you. Thank you, Squire Varner. And I would just... Because there could be some potential approvals to come between now and next meeting, just authorize an email approval of any decisions that need to be made about the Big Sink Sidewalk project that are administrative in nature to be able to be approved via email. Motion by Squire Barnard. Second by Squire Downey. All those in favor, please vote and signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed, nay. That motion carries. We do need to have the second reading of the Ordinance 26-5 Zoning Map Amendment for Liftoff Equestrian 2108 Huntertown Road. That's a down zone. Motion. Motion by Squire Gill. Second by Squire Brown. All those in favor, please vote and signify by saying aye.

Aye.

All those opposed, nay. That motion carries. Mr. County Attorney, sir.

Yes, Judge. It kind of seems like we've hit a lull, so let me first comment that unlike Rick Wade, I cannot fathom beginning by saying Scott White was really nice. So as I begin this reading here, this would be a title and summary reading of the ordinance relating to a zoning map amendment and general development plan liftoff equestrian LLC 2108 Huntertown Road. RRRF Rural Residential Residual Farmland A1 Agricultural be it ordained by the Fiscal Court that said amendment is in compliance with the comprehensive plan. So therefore, the subject property containing 43.419 acres is rezoned from RRRF Day 1 and the Versailles Midway Woodford County Zoning Map Thank you, Mr. County Attorney. Thank you, Judge. Thank you for the levity as well. Thank you, Sir. All right.

We'll move on to the prohibition of the development of data centers in Woodford County. Mr. County Attorney, you have prepared a resolution 2026-09. This resolution of the fiscal court would express its opposition to the location and development of data centers in Woodford County and affirm the fiscal court's commitment to protecting the county's agricultural resources, our rural character, infrastructure, and quality of life. The one thing that I would say is we do have Director Steve Hunter with us. Steve, would you like to give a brief summary of what the Versailles-Midway-Woodford County Planning Commission has done in the interim? And I say brief summary because we do plan to put your text amendment on an ordinance committee prior to our next meeting.

Yeah, sure. So what you have that was sent out to the fiscal court members is another text amendment to Article 7. It's interesting. Sometime after Christmas, there was a lot of discussion. And if you turn on the news every night, there's discussion about data centers in some county. counties passing resolutions or moratoriums or adopting regulations or studying regulations. What we did here back a few months ago, we knew this was happening. We wrote a standard to regulate data centers a few months ago and we had it ready to go. And at the same time, there was a text amendment back in 24 that the fiscal court saw where we looked at all of article seven. And at that time it was, all 20 zones, and it came to the court. As you all know, the focus was on in-family conveyances. It was rejected, sent back to us with a directive, and then we modified that directive. The Planning Commission then took that same article to the floor of the Planning Commission in 25 through another public hearing, and in that public hearing decided to just pass what we call the county side zones at that time. So the commercial zones and the industrial zones in Article 7 were kind of just left with They were edited, they were ready to go into housekeeping exercise, but they were never moved past the Planning Commission after the first time all the government saw them. So when the data center stuff came up, we just pushed that into the industrial zone, and it was about a three-page standard that would regulate data centers as well as battery storage facilities type 1 and 2. So the Planning Commission Advisory Committee got back together here recently after the city did their moratorium and the court gave us a directive to look at prohibition on data centers. So what you have in front of you is now what we'll just say the back of Article 7, which is the commercial industrial zones, which is really a housekeeping project that's kind of long overdue. There were several directives from the city of Versailles that we need to address, crematoriums, industrial terms, retail uses, vape shops. residential on the first floor of the downtown several things and so all that's been in this text amendment now for almost two years and in the last few months what we added were the data center verbiage and some stuff on vape shops so what the planning commission did on july the ninth was to vote on this And they took the directive of the fiscal court and we just scrapped the whole standard that we had that was three pages long and just substituted a straight prohibition of a few things, landfill, data centers, and battery storage facilities type one, which are the larger indoor battery storage facilities. So the Texas Amendment then now reflects the directive from the fiscal court and the city, as well as incorporates several housekeeping items to the downtown zone, the industrial zones the b4 zone had also put some other things in the regulatory vein here that was requested we're regulating stricter again landfills rv parks potential truck stops battery storage drug rehab vape shops i mentioned and then of course data centers so there's a lot of stuff in here that would i call more city side in general because it's in the commercial industrial zone And then the last thing, we got several commercial projects coming our way. It was also important to get some verbiage in this text amendment and get in front of some of these big projects we got coming to the City of Versailles and Midway here in the short term. So that was the text amendment. The Planning Commission voted on this 7-0 on Thursday, July 9th to send a recommendation of approval of this text amendment to the court.

Thank you, Director Hunter. Are there any questions for Director Hunter before moving on to the resolution? We appreciate you. Then I would entertain a motion to adopt Resolution 2026-09. Motion. Motion by Squire Blackford. Is there a second? Second by Squire Varner. Are there any questions or comments? Seeing none, all those in favor, please vote and signify by saying aye.

Aye.

All those opposed, nay. That motion passes unanimously. Thank you, Mr. County Attorney.

Thank you, Judge. In fact, Mr. Hunter. If I may say this, since I took my, I believe, deserved shot at Mr. White, he will be pleased to know that in the article he did about this after the fiscal court meeting last time, apparently the Woodford Sun is read across the state because two county attorneys contacted me and said, can you send me what you all are considering for these data centers in Woodford County? And I said, how did you even know about that? We saw it in the Woodford Sun. So there, Scott.

I'll have that framed in our reception area.

Internationally known. Renowned. I would like to say thank you to the mayor of Midway, Grayson Vandergrift, and their city council, as with Vercel's in working together on this joint prohibition. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Mr. County Attorney. I would just like to say that the IRB and Castle and Key discussion continues. The Castle and Key and the school board continue to work through the pilot discussions, so there is no action thereon, and it is not scheduled for a second reading at this time, and that could be taken up at our next meeting. We do have some good news on the Memorandum of Understanding for the Clifton Boat Ramp. to build a new boat ramp by the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife grant that we received, but we do need a motion to ratify the July 8th email approval authorizing the judge executive to sign any and all documents related to the MOU between the fiscal court and the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife resources for the Clifton Boat Ramp Project. Motion. Motion, Ms. Squire Gentry.

Second.

Second, Ms. Squire Downey. Are there any questions? Question. Yes, sir.

We've already met the match. for the, I think it was 75-25, is that correct?

Yes, yes. And I have also offered additional in-kind services from the road department if Supervisor Dean or anybody else has the opportunity to assist in the project. So we may have some more in-kind assistance to them. But yes, our paving projects and our previous work at the boat ramp have contributed to our in-kind match. Thank you, Squire Gentry. Any other questions? Seeing none, all those in favor please vote and signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed, nay. That motion carries. Moving on to new business, we have the training incentive for Squire Varner, pursuant to 64.5.27.75, subsection 6. I need a motion to approve, same. Motion by Squire Brown, second by Squire Gill. All those in favor, please vote and signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed, nay. And that motion carries. We also need to approve the sheriff's quarterly report for the quarter ending June 30, 26. Is there a motion? Motion by Squire Carl. Second by Square Brown. All those in favor, please vote and signify by saying aye.

Aye.

All those opposed, nay. And that motion carries unanimously. I do have another piece of new business. In our budget for this fiscal year, we talked about the Midway EMS station, putting that up for sale. until you all receive the information about its... We gave you the deed. We gave you the zoning related to it. We gave you the map with the parcel and a zoning parcel map just for your review. What I would ask is that the fiscal court... authorize and allow the county attorney and myself to begin putting together the process for a sealed bid process pursuant to the statute to begin the process to sell that piece of real property owned by the county. Yes, Mr. County Attorney.

And will we be getting it appraised when you say the process? Yes.

That process would include the appraisal as well. I will say that this is the very preliminary course of action, so I just want to begin working on that process. It will be presented well in advance for additional votes. This does not mean we are going to sell it. And I would just like to make sure that the public and anybody interested in the property understands this is not going to be a quick process. It has many facets to it. But in order to get that process started, I would like the authorization from the fiscal court to move forward. So is there a motion to authorize the county attorney and the judge executive's office to work on preparing the process to sell the midway EMS real property? Motion by Squire Brown. Second by Squire Blackford. Are there any questions or comments thereon? Seeing none, all those in favor, please vote and signify by saying aye.

Aye.

All those opposed, nay. That motion carries unanimously. Madam Treasurer, how are we looking?

Everything's covered on my list.

All right. I'll move on to announcements. We can start with Squire Brown. Thank you. Squire Gill. Nothing. Thank you. Squire Blackman. Nothing, Judge. Thank you. Squire Downey.

Thank you, Judge. There's a couple last-minute tickets left for the Woodford Chamber and Farm Bureau Farm-to-Table Dinner this Saturday. So if you're interested and available, come on down. Thank you.

Squire Carl.

Nothing, Judge. Thank you.

Thank you. Squire Varner. Yes, thank you, Judge. Woodford County Farm Tour is July the 27th, that Monday before the court meeting. Stops will be at Eckerd's Orchard and Sycamore Farm to see production agriculture at Sycamore Farm and the business of the orchard. And there will be some discussions there and some classes. So I look forward to everyone coming out and enjoying the farm tour. Thank you, Squire Varner. Squire Gentry.

I just want to thank all the first responders for Keeping the pool room still up. Yeah. Thank you, Squire Gentry. Squire Taylor.

I want to congratulate the county and the city of Versailles for a successful Fourth of July. It was a hot day, but a great celebration. Thank you for everybody that made that a success. Thank you, Squire Taylor. Mr. County Attorney, sir.

No, but thank you, Judge.

Mr. Woodford-Sun.

I'm interested in two things real quick. Yes, please. In our reporting... On the fire, I learned an interesting fact from John Paul Coyle that some of you may know, I certainly didn't, but the pool hall building was built in 1800. And if you're looking at the pool, then the old art gallery was also built in 1800. So I was just, I found it remarkable that that building was, Ben himself thought it was built in the 1880s. The other thing I'll mention since it didn't get is We're going to be covering this this weekend, in addition to the Farm to Table event. But you'll notice in the Woodford Sun this weekend, 10 years ago, First Baptist Church of Ourselves celebrated and honored Dr. Reverend Green for 30 years in the pulpit, and they'll be honoring him for 40 years this Sunday. And my former half-school friend has invited me to attend, and I look forward to it.

Well, congratulations to Reverend Green, who also serves on the planning commission as well. Thank you, Mr. Woodford's son. Thank you. If there is nothing else to come before this honorable court, I deem that we are adjourned. Thank you, God bless you, and may God always bless Woodford County and the Wilson's Pool Hall.