Woodford County Fiscal Court - Regular Meeting

here. Thank you. Thank you everybody. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Welcome.

A jovial spirit at the beginning of this meeting. I appreciate that. Welcome everyone. Offering our invocation tonight is Reverend Hannah McIntyre from Fiscar Presbyterian Church. Thank you, Judge. Will you go to God with me? We come before you today, oh God, with grateful hearts, thankful for the opportunity to gather in service to the comm this community. We ask for your wisdom, your guidance, and your discernment over this meeting and over every decision that will be made. Help these leaders to serve with integrity, humility, compassion, and a true desire for the good of all people in Woodford County and beyond. We lift up the leaders of this county and this community. We pray for every elected official, department head, employee, and volunteer who carries the responsibility of serving others. Grant them wisdom when facing difficult decisions, patience in moments of challenge, and courage to always pursue what is best for every citizen of this county. Help them to lead with servant hearts, guided by honesty, fairness, and a sincere commitment to the people they represent. Give these leaders clarity of mind, good judgment, and the ability to listen carefully and thoughtfully as they make decisions that impact families, businesses, schools, and neighborhoods throughout this community. Help them to work together with mutual respect and shared purpose, always keeping the long-term well-being of the county at the center of their efforts. May their work strengthen this community, provide opportunity for future generations, and reflect care and concern for all people. We also pray for their families who often share in the sacrifices and demands of public service. Grant them encouragement, peace, and strength as a support those as they support those called to lead. As the school year comes to a close, we pray for our lead our teachers, administrators, bus drivers,

support staff, and all school employees who have invested so much into the lives of our children. renew their energy after a long year of service and bless them for the difference that they make each and every day. We pray for the students and families preparing for summer. Be with those graduating high school and entering a new season of life. Give them direction, confidence, and hope for the future. Surround them with encouragement and opportunities to use their gifts well. Guide this meeting, bless this community, and help us to work together with wisdom and compassion and for the good of all. In your name we pray. Amen.

Thank you. If you're able for the pledge of 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.

Thank you. Thank you everyone. I will note that during our uh committee meeting, there were two accidents on Woodford County roadways. One on Peaker Pike that took out some power and one on uh I64. And we hope and pray that everybody was okay in that. Uh but I appreciate all of our first responders who responded to that. Uh and we're even some called out of this meeting on that.

So, thank you. Um, I'd like to offer the opportunity for our guest with the BMX presentation to uh go first for us today. So, uh, I'd invite Director Rich Pictor of Woodford County Versailles Parks and Recreation to uh, introduce their presentation and uh, you may proceed.

Yes. Um, so okay. Uh, so I just wanted to uh first um introduce them and address um what we're what we're here to what they want to discuss with you about. And I know I was watching I know you guys have been discussing budgets and numbers a lot tonight. I want you to relax and understand one thing. They're not asking for money. Okay? So you can you can listen without worry. Um and I also wanted to indicate another thing. If you look at the screen or I think you have a map in front of you. Um the area in blue is the area of the park that we're currently talking about. Um this area is um what we at the parks department call the the new park land. Um and it's a new parkland that was purchased I think 10 years ago, but we still use the term new. Kind of like the middle school is still called the new middle school. Um anyways, this is an area that is currently part of the the lease to the farmer. So I want everyone to understand we're not displacing any current usage. We're not displacing the dogs or the walkers or anybody else. We're probably just going to move some cattle to another field. Um, so with that said, I wanted to uh express that to you. Um, and then I'm going to turn it over to these gentlemen who uh will talk with you about BMX and what uh they're excited and we're excited to bring to this facility. And I will say that the parks board did hear this presentation and has um approved this area for use of land provided that the fiscal court does sees see fit to do so. So with that I will turn it over to Ben and he will speak and Jeb Gorman is the president of the organization but his daughter is competing in a district tennis tournament tonight. So uh Ben will step in here.

Thank you Ben and best of luck to her. Absolutely. Goa go county. Great name. All right. So, my name is Ben Marco. I appreciate everyone's time. Thank you so much. Um, like Rich said, not here to ask for money, here just to ask for land use. Um, and we'll kind of get into the details, but we essentially are are looking for a spot to build a BMX track within central Kentucky. Right now, there's only one BMX track, which is in Louisville, um, at Tom Sawyer Park. And to give a little bit to start the presentation, we have a little video that will show kind of what is BMX for those that don't know what kind of modern BMX racing looks like. So Seth, you want to start the presentation?

Yeah, I think if you hit unmute and hopefully there's not audio at the very first part of it. USA BMX racing is a programmed and profitable recreational cycling sport that is enjoyed by children, adults, and families alike. A typical USA BMX race program operates three to four times per week and includes an open race night, a BMX racing league night specifically for beginners, and a coach practice.

Got to love technology. USA BMX racing is a programmed and profitable recreational cycling sport that is enjoyed by children, adults, and families alike. A typical USA BMX race program operates three to four times per week and includes an open race night, a BMX racing league night specifically for beginners, and a coached practice session. Races are then broken down into both age and skill categories with the youngest racers being only 2 years old and riding on smaller balance bikes with no pedals. While some of the eldest racers are in their 70s and riding on much larger bikes. The majority of participants are aged 8 through 13 and then aged 30 through 45 with this last group being the parents of younger racers who enjoy being able to spend time together and to compete as a family. Most local USA BMX racing programs have between two and 300 active members with a weekly throughput of 1 to 200 riders generating net profits as high as 80 to $100,000 per year for your recreation department. Along with a great local recreational program for your community, USABMX has amazing sports tourism opportunities and ensures that each track, regardless of its size, is guaranteed at least one state level sport tourism event. With the ability to earn more state level events, a USA BMX track can contribute an economic impact of as much as $500,000 a year to the local community. If a track applies for and receives a regional event or bids on and is awarded one of our 30 national event weekends, the economic impact can be as high as $2.5 million attributed directly to sports tourism. To bring this great program to your town, all that is needed. It is a USA BMX racing

facility. An average facility will fit inside the space of awesome. So maybe first slide. Um so USA BMX which is run by the ABA, the American Bicycle Association who run kind of is really officiates all BMX racing in North America. So USA and Canada. Um and they also have some international events beyond that as well. um they've put together a more detailed presentation and I believe there's a link in the agenda if you want to see the detailed uh you know the greater details if you will on what's being asked but we'll kind of I think we can convey what we're trying to ask for here but um Seth we want to go to the next slide um so I'm here representing bluegrass sperms um as Rich said uh Professor Gorman couldn't be here tonight because his daughter is playing tennis and we hope she wins and Um but he is essentially who started Bluegrass BMS. Um I came on to Bluegrass BMS uh two years ago as kind of helping coach and my son was interested in mountain bike racing. Um and we now have Seth St. Dennis who's uh running the computer. Alexander's here with her her wonderful daughters uh future BMX racers and um some and then Brian Fox as well.

How you doing? And uh uh so really Bluegrass Brooms is is there to promote youth cycling. It's all the things that we talk about like, hey, how do we get kids outdoors more? How do we get kids playing outside? Cycling is a great way to do that. Mountain biking is awesome and I love mountain biking, but it's a there's a high barrier to entry to get a competitive mountain bike. If you really want to do some of the races, some of the kids will spend a significant amount of money on their bikes and some families just can't afford that. One of the cool parts about BMX is um and I was going to bring my son's bike, but he actually had a concert tonight, so he couldn't come either. But, uh is the barrier entry is much lower. You can get into a competitive level BMX bike for roughly $200. And so, um that's really where we saw the and it and BMX is really an entryway into other cycling sports. So if you look at all the top mountain bike racers, all the top downhill mountain bike racers, a lot of road cyclists, professionals, they started in BMX because it's a great barrier entry. And so um Jeb and I have been talking and I I currently my son races BMX. The nearest track is in Louisville, like I said. Um I think I mentioned that earlier, but um so we're like it'd be great for the people of like central Kentucky community to have a BMX track. And so that's really why we're here. Um and and like I said, we're not asking for money and we'll get into that a little bit more. Look at the place. Um we talked about and Rich was great in explaining um you know what the area we're looking at. It's a we're thinking like 4 and a half acres should facilitate plenty of BMX track. Um and I think we've got it there. That is drawing to scale. It's not the actual design that we're thinking of for the track. It's just to scale a BMX track kind of overlaid in that area to give you some idea what it would look like. And there's kind of three phases of BMX track. There's kind of the phase one, phase two, phase three. Louisville being

a phase three. They have, you know, the Olympic gold medalists will be here, be there racing later and on uh Labor Day weekend. Um so Memorial Weekend, I'm sorry, at the end of the summer. Um it it's, you know, world class track. We're asking to and that you can get there, but what we're asking to try and start building is a level one track, a phase one track. And that can be anywhere total if we were to go pay for it, any way from hundred,000 to $500,000. And with the dream of, you know, as the as the sport gets more popular in the area, build to this, you know, something much better. And that's really how Derby City started in the 80s as a dirt path, you know, with a gate. And now they're hosting Olympians. So, it took a long time, but um you know, it's it's definitely has staying power as a sport. If you want to go to the next slide. Um so, kind of the funding. So, we've got Brian is actually heads up our uh kind of business development, if you will. And so, how are we going to fund this? You know, if we're not asking for money, how are we going to fund this? As you probably saw, the track is really not technically complicated. It's a hill that you start on. It's got a gate and that's about the most advanced piece of technology you're going to have um for the track itself. The rest is dirt in this part of the country. We are going to try and pave the turns with just regular asphalt that there's some it helps with maintenance long term just because it rains so much here. But um it's essentially a dirt path with you know uh jumps as you call them jumps and BMS. um you do one lap um you know it's a sprint race so it's kind of like if you like horse racing you'd probably love BMX racing and it's great to you know as we saw in that video the family friends come out so we have already been talking with um and there's some more detailed stuff in the presentation that's on the agenda we've got some some already some verbal commits one of which is the gate which is one of the more

expensive items we would have to fabricate that you can either go out and buy them or fabricate them there's a company space tango I sat with the CEO on Friday. They are a space research company out of Lexington. Um they do biological research in low earth orbit and um that he is really excited to build the gate. Um and so he so that's committed to and we also have a tenative commitment for dirt. Dirt is really the most expensive thing. Typically you're you know if you were to go out and buy that dirt and it's anywhere from 50 to $150,000 worth of dirt. And so Brian has already talked to several um construction companies, developers who are excited about it and really want to try and bring in that dirt um for us. And we have varying other levels of commits and discussions we've been having and and those details are kind of in there uh in that more detailed. We have some highlighted areas of where and how we you know the conversations we've had thus far um and kind of work. We haven't really went made h gotten any written commits yet only because we wanted to get permission first. We don't want people to have to start donating money etc until we actually have a track or you know a designated area to build said track. Um so that's kind of where we're at.

Yeah. Hey guys.

Yeah. Thanks for your time. So Brian Fox, one of the things I want to tie in is this county has always been great like the cross country environment. Unbelievable. Dr. Leam, that's you all create such a great family environment. So I want to tie this in from an economic development. You put what there's about $130 million of projects, current projects going on. This ties in with multiple things. Business development for for this county, right? attracting the regional and national uh events here, but the local businesses. One thing I was so impressed by was your prayer because it included the kids, the business owners, the people that your group, you're having to make, you know, decisions for this entire county. It aligns really well. Everyone knows there's so many kids that are doing travel ball. They're playing all year round. Certain kids can't afford that, right? Uh or they or they got into a sport late. They don't fall in the travel group, right? So, this was extremely inclusive for kids to come out with their families and get get on a bike, right, and learn. But I think it really does bring I thought the economic development is almost understated. I I've been talking with several people about this project and I can help. I've already had someone say, "Well, I want to I want to start a bike shop, right?" You know, get involved and do this the starting the the gate. Now, you know, with Twimman, you have a guy that's done doing stuff with a mission on Artemis 2. So, you have a wizard that's going to come in and wants to build the gate. I think that's a really good story to tell with Space Tango. But, if you notice in the video, the gate, that's a really prominent advertising. So, you have you have 90 million in tourism, right? Enhancements around here, hospitality. There's a lot of opportunity to co-sponsor, but also you spent, you know, like 17 million or 8 million on industrial site. You're going to bring some new companies here, try to focus on advanced manufacturing.

They're going to bring some kids, you know, give them something in this county to to to really convene that and and get everyone involved. I also think too, if you're coming from I'm from DC, so I've been here when when you come in I've been here what, 17 years. you come in to a new area as you're attracting jobs. It's a really good story to tell. Say, listen, look at our community center falling center. It's already great and we just enhanced it. Now, let's get all your kids involved. So, I think it ties into a lot of things. Improving the confidence. I also coach multiple sports. Be get getting someone confident. It's not about the particular sport. It's about a friend group, right? About building building confidence. I think we tie in with three or four initiatives that you already have going on and I think this just sews it up. So thanks for your time.

Thank you. Thank you. Excellent.

Um just a couple more slides and we'll So USA BMX as a partner would you know they basically bring during the events there's insurance. So if anybody has a USA BMX license it's about 60 bucks a year and they you know it's5 to $10 for an event depending on if it's a race or a practice. Um they they're covered by the liability insurance. Um so they have seven days support staff I don't um you know marketing etc. They will market and promote the track on their you know nationwide network so people from out of town will come but also for people locally as we can advertise that through social media because that's really what we want is the core of the kids in Woodford County to be here and be part of the you know the main uh focus of the track and the main organization which races at the track. Um we they they also help with um training. So you know there's not a whole you know there's one track in the state kind of like if there were one baseball field in the state there wouldn't be very many baseball players. And so there's going to be a lot of kids that are at like an entry level. And so there we USA BMX in partnership with the nonprofit or the city that's running will help them uh do beginner league. We call it beginner league. It's actually just about to start in Louisville for all like the newcomers. So you kind of learn, okay, I want to go do this is it's really intimidating, especially for a five to six year old. Um, and the gate is very intimidating the first time you ride it, but it's we have coaches. We even have some professionals, some of which were included in that video, that can come and help and assist those kids and really talk them through the process. So that's really what USA BMX brings to the table and go to the next slide. And so the ask and we've kind of talked about that is really we're looking for the land access approval. And then we've been talking to Rich about the uh memorand memorandum of understanding. They kind of all work a little bit different depending on how it's set up

with the counties or the various municipalities. Um but it's essentially, you know, okay, maintenance, who does what maintenance, you know, when you use it, um when are you using it? Because oftent times during like a big state race, you're going to have 200 extra cars in the parking lot. Um people from out of town, etc. Um and then who manage the who manages the events. So there and there's various modes of that. I think for the most part here initially from the event management and running it'll be the bluegrass brooms bms crew with rich we talking about and we haven't really hashed out the details helping with some of the maintenance and things like that. So, so really we're asking for the the ability to use land and we will do whatever we need to do to make sure that we get a track bill um via gifts and kinds donations 501c3 so we can if anyone wants to donate you know it's a tax write off so um I think we could use the committee's help not understanding some of the project just like with the dirt you there's a lot of development project getting the whole community involved you know they're paying to haul dirt out of here I mean bring it right up the I think it's an exciting

Yeah. And it's just a great, you know, so many kids that don't fit into the, as Brian kind of alluded to, stick in ball sports. Um, and so what do they have? What choice, you know, like let's give them alternatives. Let's give them choices to be in a competitive sport and get that confidence that comes with playing and doing competitive sports that, you know, aren't necessarily into the the the team aspect, the stick and ball aspect of it. So, everyone knows, you know, the outcomes of a kid that's happy in a friend group is grades and grace. Like, it's just a lot of good stuff coming out of it. Parent, hey, parents, I have a 15-year-old, so trust me, and when she's busy, I'm happy. Excellent.

That is kind of all I had. I think that's really it. The end of our presentation. Let me ask members of the fiscal court, do you all have questions uh regarding this? Squire Barner, sir. Uh the the track the track be four and a half acres I think. Yeah. That's not counting parking. You'd have to have some room. Parking. Yeah, there would be a little bit more for parking. And really that you can fit a track in like three acres that depending on the size, but yeah, four and a half is a good like we don't have a design yet, but four and a half is a good like Yeah, that

big events do you have uh the they bring their bikes in? Is there like trailers and that sort of thing? Just just looking at the parking lot size. It it depends for big events and the way a national like for a national. Yes. Cuz there are literally you know there are unfortunately the the travel like not to offend travel sports or anything but there are you know there are kids the kids that are ranked throughout the country are they they're homeschooled and they travel from national to national. They live in an RV them and their families. That's pretty rare and that's once a year for a given track. And so if they if we got to a point where like a stage three track then yes, but I'd say that's probably years down the road for your typical BMX race, it's cars and bike racks. Thank you.

Absolutely. Square down. And that's why we identified that area because there's plenty of room around there for a one-day event where grass parking would be. So they wouldn't have to be in the front parking lot. Um and we designed it to be right off of the proposed new private road. Um, and it' be the very beginning of the new private road so we wouldn't have to build the whole road. We just gravel to that point so that people could access it that way. Thank you, Rich. Uh, Square Downey. Couple questions and then one one for Rich. As far as the the bikes, is this something that for like mountain bikes as an example to to ride?

You can. There's actually a mountain bike class. I'm not super familiar with it because Louisville uh nobody does nobody even though there's tons of mountain bikers. I'm a mountain biker myself. We all race in our our our what's called class, 20-inch class and 24inch class. So, the size of the wheels, but yeah, there's absolutely if a bunch of mountain bikers came up and and bought it and got a membership with USABMX, there could be a mountain bike class. And one thing that I I don't want to I kind of overstepped or or didn't do a good job explaining, I apologize for that, is this is open to the public when it's not in use. So, there's not an event like the public gets to go use it. So the kid that wants to ride from the neighborhood on just a random Tuesday and wants to go ride the track, as long as it's not wet, the only thing we say is close the track when it's wet because otherwise the volunteers are just going to be worn out having to fix ruts and stuff. And that's one of the things we want to talk we were talking about trying to get donated is some fencing. So that was kind of my second question was in relation to the usage if you had kids who just wanted to go out and ride is that does that require any kind of membership or insurance purchase or how anything

as long as it's not a USA as long as it's not a practice night or a race night you you use it. So it's and it you know the track will be open. Even Derby cities like that has a you know multi-million dollar track um with with a what is called a 8 meter hill for the the professionals that's blocked off because we don't want little kids riding it but um it's open to the public and but it does have a gate so like someone that works at the park we are fortunate that one of the parks employees is also an avid BMX racer and so he's there every day at Tomswear anyway and so he'll be the one opening and closing so if it's you know goes and opens it in the morning if It's a dry day. So,

and thank you. And then Rich, is this something that has the parks board looked at this? And would any I guess it would depend on Mr. County attorney, maybe theou like would this fall under the parks and rec board as far as the facility maintenance, things like that. So,

yes, it would um if if if adopted in then yes, the parks board has reviewed it, reviewed the land. Um, and we've talked extensively about, um, and I'm glad you brought up the the public portion of this when there's not an actual practice night or event night or whatever, it is open to the public and, and correct me if I'm wrong, they've talked about the fact that there's loaner bikes available. Um, so as kids age out of bikes, they often drop that, leave them, and there's loaner bikes so that kids in the community can come. That's one reason, you know, having this at at at Woodford County Park, um, we have bike trails that lead there. So, even a kid that doesn't have a a dirt bike could get a bike there or or get there and could ride um and join a class and I know you've talked about being up at Derby City and and kids just standing and watching because their older brother is playing baseball and they wander over and watch and think, well, I want to do that and next thing you know they're doing that. So, that's one thing we like. The other thing that we've talked with them about is um Parks and Rec would create some programming around this. Um, we have our regular camps throughout the summertime. And then Aaron and I have already talked about a BMX camp week where we get their experts in and we get some of the bikes and we get these kids out there so that, you know, get them off the TV screens, get them off the video games and if they don't like baseball, they don't like lacrosse or soccer, maybe they fall in love with this. So, it's another way to reach more youth and get them more active. Um, and it's open for adults, too. So, William, you can get out there.

Yeah. um politely declined, but uh thank you for answering uh my question. But as far as the the insurance and liability, it would fall under your typical parks and recreation liability plaus um which is there's always inherent risk in parks, but um you're required to wear a helmet when you ride. Um and my understanding is as far as a bike concerned, it can't have pegs um which is where kids like to stand on the back and can't have a kickstand. Other than that, you know, you can pretty much Yeah. ride a bike on it and nothing motorized, obviously. By Blackfoot. Yeah, thank you, judge. Uh, man, I'm excited just by hearing all this uh kids and I saw Kenneth John's over pretty excited himself over there. May be the first adult.

Yeah, but it really is. I mean, anytime you can get kids together to do something different like this in the community. I mean, it gets their attention on something positive and I mean, this thing can really grow and be really nice. And there's no other uh you said the closest one is in Louisville. Yeah. Man, this is going to be crazy. I'm wrong, but didn't you say that because their partner BMX is going to help build the track or consult on the track building and yeah, USA BMX as part of the donation when it'll be in kind of that more detailed is they provide it's $7,500 worth of design work that they do that they will actually like help design the like, okay, here's your space, here's your slope, here's where we think the drainage is, this is what we think you should do with the track.

So, they know and understand our budget as well. Well, it sound like this may almost may be bigger than pickle ball, but thank you. I don't know. I don't know if that's possible. Squire Gill. Yeah. Have you all presented this to city council yet? No, we've not because the land is owned by fiscal court. So, fiscal court has to bless the use of the land. All right. Um before and there's no ask for money. So, um, that wouldn't become before the city council until it became something where it became a a budgetary item. Thank you. Thank you. Um, yes. And it technically is outside the city because that new new new park is not in the city limits,

but it it would be in the park system.

Um, Rich, and I'm glad you address that in part. And as you know, I I'm like you. We still refer to this as the new uh county park property. It's getting kind of old and I'm excited to see that there are certain things going to be happening there. But I also always get a little little worried going back like when the skateboard park was a topic of discussion and the concerns over injuries and liability and all that. If and I have to believe and please correct me if I'm wrong, there have been accidents on BMX tracks before and there have been lawsuits. um if it's your operation versus the public just using it. Do you all have coverage for events and things like that that that takes care of potential lawsuits?

Yeah. So, USA BMX if there's an event and we you know you really make sure everybody there is has signed it's essentially a waiver that's signed they've signed the USA BMX membership. The first time you come try it during event it's free whether that's a race or a practice and then you have to pay after that for the me the yearly membership under that membership when you come and you pay for the event or participate in the event sometimes they're free you're covered under USA BMX's insurance okay so there okay so you all being a part of that it provides that

for our event because they do get like rich mentioned on you know you can have no pegs or no kickstand actually on your bike and a novice is able to ride any bike after once you get out of the now there's different classes. There's beginning, intermediate, expert. Um pegs are very dangerous. Not so much the guy riding the bike, but the person riding next to him. And so if you fall on one of those pegs, it can be extremely dangerous. So that's one of the things. So, am I correct, Rich, in looking at this maybe in two different fashions that we have for when our when the public locally just uses it, it's covered by virtue of fact this is a recreational use from the government and and people assume the risk and that sort of thing, we should be okay. When it's your all's operation, you all provide that that coverage. Okay.

Yes, that's exactly right. I mean, if you're required to wear a helmet, you're required to go on a bike down a hill making jump. So, there's an assume assumption that that there could be injury. No different than a basketball court and you could break your leg or roll an ankle type thing. The one thing I'll say when there's it's not a USA BMX event, the one thing that's not operational is the gate. Yeah. Because that's the item that Okay. I assume that would still be covered under liability, but you just there's potential danger there. So, just no gate during all events. Thank you all.

Thank you. Um, let me ask, is there a motion to uh contingently approve proceeding with this uh concept for a BMX park at the Woodford County farm property uh with the idea that it would be continue into the park property has been previously approved by the parks board and to allow the judge executive and director of the parks and recreation to continue discussions and negotiations thereon. Motion. Second motion by Squire Gill, second by Squire Taylor. Seeing no other further discussion, all those in favor, please vote and signify by saying I. I. All those opposed, nay. That motion passes unanimously. Thank you all so much. Thank you. Thank you.

Appreciate the time. We're excited about it. Meeting you more out the BMX track. That's right. I don't think we mentioned we did say with BMX. I'm correct. Once they get involved and build this, they will not allow another track to be built within so many miles. So someone can't upstage us in the future. So we could be the hub of this in this room. Everybody uh in your free time, watch the movie Rad and you'll know what this is all about.

Thank you. Thank you. All right. We do uh we do also have uh some some guests with us.

We have some guests with us from our prior meeting. We have folks from Castle and Key. We had an in-depth discussion in our prior prior meeting regarding u the IRB for Castle and Key. And so I want to go ahead and uh take that item up to allow them to go on about their evening. I know they've been here for quite some time. Uh the discussion in committee was that uh there's a new change. Instead of 40-year term period in the ordinance, it would be 20 years. That change determined to be substantive and material by the county attorney. Therefore, it would require a first reading. So, after a full amount of discussion, uh I would entertain a motion to have the first reading of Madame Clerk, do you have an ordinance number on that?

263. 263 03. Is there a motion to have first reading up to ordinance 26-3? Motion by Squire Gentry. Second. Second by Squire Downey. I would open up the floor for any additional discussions or questions. Again, if we're talking about time frame, this would be the first meeting in June for the second reading. I do believe that going back to hold a first reading with a change in the ordinance should address everyone's timing concerns. Seeing no additional discussion, all those in favor of voting in the first reading of ordinance 2026-03, please vote and signify by saying

I. I. All those opposed, nay. Nay. Nay. Madam clerk, roll call, please. Taylor, I. I. Warner, nay. Carl, I Black. Scarill. Nay. Squar. That motion carries. Mr. County Attorney, sir.

Yes, Judge. Thank you. This would be a uh summary first reading again but of the revised ordinance number 202603 an ordinance of the county of Woodford, Kentucky, authorizing the issuance of a series of revolving industrial revenue bonds having an aggregate revolving principal amount not to exceed $90 million and designated the county of Woodford, Kentucky revolving industrial building revenue bond series 2026 Castle and Key distillery project for the purpose Financing an industrial building project approving and authorizing the execution, delivery and acceptance of a lease agreement between the county as Lesor and Parstyle LLC as LE B upon a bond purchase agreement providing for the issuance, sale and delivery of the bonds and C other related documents and taking other related actions. Uh now therefore the county of Woodford, Kentucky acting by and through its fiscal court hereby ordains as follows. Section one relates to adoption of pre premises. Section two, determination and findings of the fiscal court. Section three relates to the authorization of the bonds. There is a new section four early termination by the issuer. The bond shall be subject to the issuer issuers's right to terminate hon or after 20 years. So now all of the following sections are now one number later. So section five is now the bond lease agreement and it references the right to terminate hon or after 20 years. Section six is assignment of warehouse leases. Section seven is bond purchase agreement and it uh references being subject to mandatory automatic redemption in whole or part after 20 years and before maturity upon issuers election to terminate. Section 8 is assignment of bond lease. Section nine is payment in lie of taxes agreement. Section 10 is amendments. Section and by the way this issue came up. There is a reference to the pilot agreement which

is in a current form may be slightly change form but it simply references that. So you will be able to proceed in what the change there if you have a second if you choose to have a second reading on June 9th. Section new 10 is amendment. Section 11 is authority to consummate lease and bond sales. Section 12, further assurances uh and financing statement. Uh section 13, industrial building. Section um 14, bonds not general debt of the issuer. Section 15, notice the state local debt officer. Section 16, authority supplement. Section 17, severability. Section 18, resolving conflict. Section 19, the date of effectiveness. This being a first reading, it does need to be advertised for second reading uh which can occur if there is a majority vote at your uh June 9th read uh meeting.

Thank you, Mr. County Attorney. Now, we'll get this. Thank you all that we're here for that item. And you're more than welcome to be excused. We also have um we also have our county clerk here who is working diligently on the elections. Early voting starts this week. Absentee voting has been happening. Um, I know you've been busy working hard, so I wanted to get you up, get you taken care of so you can continue about your way. Thank you so much. I appreciate your black and gold as well.

Yes, absolutely. I cheered in these colors for years, so it feels kind of normal. Go jackets.

Uh, election day one week from today, May 19th. Tomorrow is the last day that we'll be having our walk-in absentee voting in my office. Uh, this started last Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Monday. Today, and tomorrow, we'll finish the six day walk-in excused. They have to have an excuse to receive their absentee voting um privilege. And that requires one of 11 different reasons that they can vote. As of today, we've had 48 voters and they have utilized this method. It's been pretty steady. Our mail and absentee ballot voting ended last Tuesday and which is always 14 days before the election to give us time to get those ballots back in. We've issued 325 ballots and as of today, 199 have been returned. Early voting at Falling Spring begins this Thursday, 6:00 a.m. to 2. Friday is 10 to 6 and Saturday is 9 to5. We'll be carrying everything out and getting set up tomorrow. So, uh, would you like for me to go on for our veterans, my veterans?

Yes, please. I I'll let you be excused after your report.

Thank you. Also, um, before I get to that portion, this is, um, has to do with our veterans and voting. The Office of the Secretary of State has a program that I introduced to you all last year. Um, it's called Vote in Honor of a Veteran. These B bullets came buttons came from the Secretary of State's office and uh these buttons will allow you to write on here with a black marker that veteran that you're voting in honor of. So, I have a bunch of them with me. I'll be down in the office for a little bit. So, on your way out, if you want to stop and get a button, wear it. vote in honor of that veteran that's um made it possible for us to vote. We've got nearly 350,000 veterans here in Kentucky. These men and women have made tremendous sacrifices to protect our right to vote. So, we can show their respect and appreciation by voting in honor of this veteran for our 2026 primary election. Uh lastly, the final report that I have would be about the veterans license plate uh that was launched, this was launched, if you remember, Veterans Day in November of 2025. This collaborative partnership formed by the Woodford County Fiscal Court, the Woodford County Veterans Commission and the Woodford County American Legion Post 67 is this most unique, precious program that you all approved for all Woodford County veterans. Uh by doing this it allows a veteran to come to my office and have a veteran's place issu plate for their vehicle issued at no price. Um they will have their branch of service on this plate as stipulated in resolution number 25-10. I am appointed to make a quarterly report to the fiscal court and the American Legion as follows. The first allocation of funds was in the amount of $2,000 and as of this date 43 plates have been issued leaving a balance of

$857.88. The total amount spent for this account from this account to date is $1,142.112. And they're most appreciative. Thank you all for allowing us to do this for them. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Anybody have any questions for the clerk? Squire Downey. Thank you. Uh, just wanted to reiterate and make sure that early in-person voting beginning Thursday is only at Falling Springs. Only at Falling Springs.

Falling Springs. Cuz I don't and I'm sure there will be someone or multiple who maybe show up at the courthouse uh wanting to to vote. Early voting is only at Falling Springs. Day of Tuesday, primary voting, the additional voting centers in Midway, Milville, and none such in addition to Falling Springs, but no voting at the courthouse. Correct. Correct. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you, Madam Clerk. You are more than welcome to be excused. Please keep up the good work. You're doing a great job. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you. All right. I would like to open the floor for public comment. I know we have Mary Katherine Gratz that would like to say a few com few words. according to Squire Blackford. Anyway, so the floor is yours.

That's correct. You mind to turn on the mic, please? Thank you. The red light is on. Yes. Good evening.

My name is Mary Katherine Gratz, and I'm here tonight on behalf of the Woodford County for sales chapter of the NAACP, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Our chapter was reorganized here in 2024 and we count members on the city council and fiscal court magistrates as well as residents of her sales midway and throughout Woodford County. And as you can see by looking at me, we count diversity as one of our greatest strengths. We requested an amount of $2,000 to be included in the upcoming fiscal court budget. And a few minutes ago, you all approved that. Oh, instead of coming to ask you to approve it, I'm here to say thank you. As our organization gains traction under new leadership, we are seeking to expand opportunities for minority youth in our community. In the same spirit as funds encourage such organizations as young farmers and mentors and meals, we see opportunities to mentor young people of color from elementary school through high school to encourage individual development as well as community involvement. Um, one of the things we just voted on Saturday was to um sponsor um applicants of color for um the chamber programs for uh leadership with county and emerging leaders which we're really excited about. So, it's not just it's further than from high school. Um so, we'll be excited to report to you next year the effect this money has had in the community. And I wanted to say thank you for your time and attention. And please feel free to contact me or Squire Blackford if you have any other questions.

Thank you, Miss Gratz. Thank you so much. Thank you. I would uh keep the floor open for anybody wishing to make a public comment. Anybody wishing to address the court? Seeing none, we'll move on to the approval of the minutes. The special and regular meeting of April 28th. Are there any additions or corrections to any of the minutes? Seeing none, are there any objections to approving? Same. Seeing no objections, I'll approve the minutes without objections. We'll move into reports. Madam treasurer, your report, please. Tonight's balance is 15,627,41.71.

Any questions for the treasur? Seeing none, uh we do have a couple items under emergency management. We need to approve the modified fiscal year 2023 EMP contract as presented and authorize judge executive to sign any all documents related there too. Motion motion by square Taylor secondquire Carl. Are there any questions for the director? Seeing none all those in favor please vote and signify by saying I.

All those opposed nay. That motion carries Mr. Director. Now the hazard mitigation funds request. Uh, judge be after the court's cut off for the packet last week, the state announced a flood mitigation assistance grant application window. And um I'm asking permission tonight to submit several projects for the pre-application window, which is a non-committal phase. Uh we have several property owners that were affected by the 2025 floods that are interested in elevating their structures. Uh there was a project that came to into focus today uh in Squire Taylor's district related to the big sink uh drainage improvements and doing a study for that. Uh again, so this is the non-committal phase. All of uh our submissions will join 119 other counties worth. The hazard mitigation council will will rank these projects and decide which ones go to a full application phase where we firm up scopes of work. uh costs and and then they would go to the FEMA for the the full application.

Is there a motion? Motion. Motion by Squire Gil. Second by Squire Taylor. Any questions there on? Seeing none, all those in favor, please vote and signify by saying I. I. All those opposed? Nay. That motion carries unanimously. Thank you, Judge.

Thank you, Director Chandler. Anything additional? uh just report that we've got 18 of the properties in the EWP going through the motions. Uh we corresponded with uh all but three of those today um letting them know that we're nearly at the point where we would be reaching out to them to schedule conversations about acquisitions. Thank you for that update. It's a good update. Uh, Director John's, you want to talk about your uh, request for out of state travel related to the stage pickup?

Uh, late last week, I believe I sent an email out to everybody uh, requesting um, I completely just drew a blank stage. Yes. um requesting permission to travel to Ohio to pick up a portable stage that um we feel like would be a good idea to purchase since we've rented one four or five times over the last year and probably will end up be renting one for the next um or for the foreseeable future when these events come up. Um, it's obviously more usable than the permanent stage that we built in the district because we can use it in different places. We used it for the tree lighting for Christmas. We used it during the parade. We could use it at the 4th of July. We could use it in kind um and things like that. We usually rent it for about $4,000 every time we do. And most of the time we've done that in partnership with the city and they have agreed also to go in on purchasing the stage. Um I believe I sent the mayor's email um giving her blessing on that to you all in the email that I sent. Um, so I would like to ask for myself as well as uh two of the members in the maintenance department to travel sometime in June, June 12th to be specific, uh, up to around Toledo, Ohio to pick that up because you all have a policy or the court has a policy that says you cannot receive goods um, how does it go? You can't receive them before you pay for it. You got to pay for it and then receive it. And they have a policy that's just the opposite. They will not send it unless you pay for it first. So, I offered to go up there with the check and pick it up. An oldfashioned transaction. All right. Um, any questions there on about the stage or the out ofstate

travel? Um, Mr. County Attorney, where would it be stored? Uh, the maintenance department already has a box trailer that we're just going to keep it in all the time. That way we can um move it around easily. We can park it anywhere we want to. It's out of the weather. Um and that's that's all I know about the storage.

Good question. Thank you. Uh is there a motion to approve the out of state travel for same motion by Square Downey, second by Square Carl. All those in favor, please vote and signify by saying I. I. I. All those opposed, nay. That motion carries. Thank you, Director Johns. All right. Let's see other departments or agencies that have reports for the court. I do I want to go ahead and uh we have Gail Smith from the road department. Uh Gail has given you all the most recent update on our spring paving. That paving began in the south square brown uh Patterson Lane, Patterson Road, and today Delaney Ferry and we have additional uh roads on there that are scheduled for paving in this fiscal year. Uh the hope is that those jobs get done in this fiscal year. There's no guarantee that they will, but um uh square, you have a question on that?

Yes. Uh on the previous uh meeting when we got the roads it was going to be paved. Uh dry ridge was on there to finish and I don't see it on this list. I was just wondering about dry ridge. I think that's going to come after July 1st. Okay. All right. Thank you, Gabe. Yes. The county road aid funding that we discussed in the um public hearing was for the upcoming budget year, not the current budget year. Square Brown. Do you know why they closed the Ly Fury today? It was for the paving. Okay. It was for the paving. Yes, sir.

Well, they didn't know anything about so people had a hard time getting being able to do anything. A horse van come in. They had to let him through because they had to get the horses off. Yes. Yes. My understanding is that there was um it wasn't a full closure. They were able to move people through, but it was a significant delay. Okay. Yeah. We'll uh we'll try to get some more information about where they're paving. Uh get that out to neighbors as we can. Other questions or comments about the paving? Um I would say that if there is a need to uh bid for the striping or any other aspect of additional paving work that I would entertain a motion to allow for bids for S.

Motion. Motion Bquire Carl. Second. Second by Square Barner. All those in favor please vote. signify by saying I. I.

All those opposed, nay. That motion carries. Any other questions for Miss Smith? Seeing none, you're more than welcome to be excused. Thank you. Thank you. Any other department or agency have any reports or anything before the court before we proceed? Um, I do know that we have the section 125 plan and flexible spending account renewal for uh the next fiscal year. Is there a motion to approve those? Motion by Square Carl, second by Squire Taylor. Are there any questions? Seeing none, all those in favor, please vote and signify by saying I. I. All those opposed? Nay.

That motion carries unanimously. Uh we do have the sheriff's office franchise settlement for 2025 property tax settlement. Is there a motion to approve? So motion by Squire Gil, second by Squire Varnner. All those in favor, please vote. Signify by saying I. I. All those opposed, nay. That motion two carries.

Thank you, Deputy Cougant. All right, so We're going to return to reports and double check anybody have any reports and I'm going to deliver the report of the committee. The Woodford County Fiscal Courts Committee the whole met prior here too to take up the fiscal year budget. The first item was the approval of the employee health benefits presentation. Uh the the motion and approval of the committee of the whole was to approve one with no change to the employee contribution. Uh and that was option one as presented. I I will just out of abundance of caution take a vote for that. So I'll need a motion to approve that from the committee to hold. Motion by Squire Taylor.

Second by Square Carl. All those in favor please vote signify by saying I. I.

All those opposed? Nay. That motion carries. And I would just emphasize that uh this is a really good health plan that we put together for our employees. It does allow them to cover their spouses and defit dependents. Family is so important and the family of our employees uh they they work for them and they sacrifice for them as well. So uh we appreciate that and we hope that everyone will uh go through the options and be ready for open enrollment. But we have that approved. We also went through the discussion of the Castle and Key IRB and that item was dispensed with and then we moved in to our budget discussion which we will return to once we get through the remainder of the items of business on the agenda. That's the sum of the committee of the whole report. So I'll move on to general orders and unfinished business. I do have a couple of board appointments for you all. I reappointed Miss Donita Ladmail to the Parks and Recreation Board. That is for your notice. Uh the fiscal court does need to reappoint Marilyn Sears for a three-year term to the Cemetery Preservation Board. Is there a motion for saying

motion by Squire Gentry? Second by Squire Downey. All those in favor, please vote and signify by saying I. I. All those opposed, nay. Motion carries. Um, let's see. Returning to reports, uh, Kenneth just wanted to make sure that there was an approval of the stage. Um, by all assumptions, I approve that it would be approved given the arrangement with the city, but I'm going to open up the floor for approval of same just to make sure we don't send them to Ohio without any reason to.

Motion. Motion and a second. Second. Are there any questions? Seeing none, all those in favor, please vote and signify by saying I. I.

All those opposed, nay. And that motion does carry. All right. We have the claims the bills to be paid by this county are before you. Are there any questions or comments on any of the bills to be paid? Seeing none, are there any objections to paying any of the bills? Also seeing none, I'll approve the bills to be paid without objection. We also need to approve the claim from Blackburn and award in the amount of $750 for the indigent burial fund request for the individual listed previously approved on April 14th, 2026 with a payment to the individual. This would be a payment to Black Burnon Ward Funeral Home. Motion

motion by Square Gill, second by Square Brown. All those in favor, please vote and signify by saying I. I. All those opposed, nay. That motion carries. Disperse those funds. What do you need there? Disperse those funds as well. Uh, is there a motion to disperse those funds? Motion. Motion, Miss Squire Carl. Second, Miss Squire Taylor. All those in favor, please vote and signify by saying I. I. All those opposed, they motion two carries. I need a motion to approve the transfers. Motion. Second. Squire Blackford. All those in favor, please vote and signify by saying I. I.

All those opposed. Nay. That motion carries. Is there a motion to approve the personnel order? Motion by Square J. Second by Squire Taylor. All those in favor, please vote and signify by saying I. I. All those opposed? Nay. That motion carries unanimously.

I just have an update that the city of Verscell approved the substance abuse community opioid abatement resource specialist. uh they changed the name of that in the uh description of that job duty and u it was a collaborative process to make it a little bit more uh in line with what we think we need in that position but it will be advertised and then we will keep you updated on that. But that is a really good progress point for a very very important resource for our community. Um I'll move on to new business. We've approved the section 129 flexible spending plans. Uh we do need to approve the reimbursement of the lease agreement between AOC and the fiscal report for the annex and courthouse for fiscal year 2627.

Motion. Motion was squared Gail. Second by Squire Taylor. All those in favor, please vote to signify by saying I. I.

All those opposed, nay. That motion carries unanimously. We did approve the sheriff's office franchise settlement and I wanted to briefly discuss the South Woodford Water District. Um so I've had the opportunity to meet with the chair of the district, Mr. David Hudson. And um one of the things that I'm pleased to report is there's a lot of good work going on in the district. I want to thank our state representative and state senator for getting a large allocation and sum of money in the budget uh for improvements to the south Woodford Water District. One of those big improvements is a longstanding additional tower project in the northern part of the southern Woodford water district and they're looking Squire Gill in your neighborhood on the uh Dry Ridge Road area. uh but we identified the property as uh rem remaining uh parcel from the development of the bluegrass Parkway. So we're in discussions with the state at the highway department to try to see if we can secure them a piece of property for that water tower. But the good news is is they have a multi-million dollar project across the South Woodford Water District right now. They are improving water lines. They are responding. I know that there's been a lot of challenges, but I know that the current board and even the the most previous board, the predecessor to the current board, uh, Squire Brown, as you know, have done a lot to try to improve and maintain and, uh, respond to numerous issues of years of neglect to the system. Um, so I'm very uh pleased that they have a new funding stream which is dedicated funding from the state which is so important and they're working on some really big projects. So it's uh that's the update from the Southwood for Water District. I would remind folks that we appoint to that board but we do not control that board.

Um sometimes can be a misconception. Judge. Yes. Squire Brown. That's a real good thing that we're getting at because we've been trying to get more done the last 24 years and it's finally got together and got it looking real good. It's that's real nice. Yeah, I'm I'm I'm very pleased with u the progress of their uh improvements. Water loss rat ratio is going down. Uh it's not perfect, but They're doing a lot of good work. Madame clerk, anything additional on the agenda?

All right. So, we'll move on and we'll return to uh the budget committee of the whole. Anybody who has would not like to be here can be excused now. Except for magistrates. Regularly. Three magistrates raised their hands. Don't you be an awful night. Well, you got to stay. Square Brown. Uh Square, you recognize. Are we accepting the fire budget into the record tonight or is that next meeting? They that was in here. I don't Did we I don't think we did that. No, we didn't do it. So, that is in the budget discussion for the committee of the whole. So, I was going to take that up within this.

Okay. Got it. Thank you. Yes. Uh I will uh out of respect for everyone uh we will take a brief recess. Oh good. We are in recess. That's a Freudian slip there. Jackie just wanted to say that same thing again. I be whatever y'all do. So I think in my mind

I think I don't know.

All right, we are reconvened. The fiscal court The fiscal court is still in session. The committee of the whole is still in session. And we are now back from recess for the committee of the whole for the budget discussion for the FY 2627 budget. All right. So, we left off at Parks and Recreation. And one of the things that um as we move through parks and recreation's uh allocation and budget, uh you'll note that the special capital projects is in yellow. Uh that's because we're still paying down on those capital projects and so that amount could change in between now and the first reading on May 26th. Um but one thing I want to note is that the special parks capital project was initially conceived to be bonded as debt and the fiscal court and the city council have paid for that in cash. We have paid for that in cash. That is a big deal. That is part of the reason why our current bank balance, which is 15.6 million, is slightly less than it has been in the past years because we've paid down cash on these park projects. Uh, which ultimately saves the county a lot of money. Uh you will go through and you will see um celebrations and festivals line items um

the fairboard county support and other line items in between 411 and 423. Are there any questions there on Seeing none, we'll move on to the Jack Jwit House line items. Um, given that we are in the transition between our former director and the new director, Mr. Durban Tinsley, who is working hard out there, uh, we kept all of the line items pretty much the same with a few things that maintenance requested that we might want to bump up, but otherwise, it's pretty much the same from last fiscal year. Our board of ed school transportation line item is there. We'll know more when we actually have that item, but we anticipate it to be the same. We go through line items 444 through 448. There's nothing told our sound is off. through were the uh parks and recreation line items including the special capital projects and the most important note there was that the county has paid cash along with the city for those

improvements. So, we're talking about the turf, uh, youth field, the turf baseball and, uh, softball fields, pickle ball courts, community, uh, neighborhood parks, basketball courts. Uh, I would note the pickleball lights are in the parks and recreation budget this year as well. uh the stadium turf and other parks projects, the big park project which included the big spring park renovation were all paid by the city and county in cash. Originally designated to be bonded, but we didn't bond that project. We paid in cash. Um and then we went through the Jackwitt line items which are essentially continuation budget with our new director. There's no items in the uh 444 through 448. 450 through 458. Um we were we keep the county park memorial project in for uh Judge Executive John Bear Coyle. We've had that in each year uh and have not been had the opportunity to utilize those funds. Uh, but I do want to keep that in to honor the memory, legacy, and life of John Bear Coyle. Um, the Falling Springs Boulevard Beasley Road sidewalk MUP connector project is an important project from the Woodford County High School exit on Tyrone Pike up to Falling Springs on Beasley Drive. So, the city, the county, and uh the school system is working on a project to build that sidewalk so that kids won't have to cross the road until they get to the light at Falling Springs. And then

there will be a a designated sidewalk up to Falling Springs uh on the right side of the road there. So, uh, that's an a project identified by the city and the county in the last budget, although we were just going to go from the current, uh, pathway, the multi-use pathway off Falling Springs, which kind of does a little loop, but we decided to take that pathway to the intersection at Falling Springs in Tyrone Pike, make a crossing there, and go up. And then the goal is to go back on that side of the road all the way to the school so that we can provide a path for the kids to walk from school to the park. And a lot of them are doing that now in the ditches, in the grass, in the dirt area going to Freddy's and that those other areas over there uh easteps. Uh it's a great project. Our contribution estimated uh as of the time of the budget was $85,000 and that is a joint project with the city and my understanding is the school is going to try to uh improve their connections there as well as a additional project. Any questions on those line items? Square Downey

is the and I may have overlooked or may not got there is the big sink sidewalk project. Yes. Okay. Got it's coming. Perfect. Got it. Thank you.

Thank you. Uh moving on to the GIS salary line item is to start that budget. Uh we do have Director John's with us. If there are any questions on the GIS department's line items, seeing none, uh the general reserve for transfer figure, um so your when you re received the initial budget, it did not incorporate the anticipated paving that we just reviewed from the road department and it did not incorporate the full context of a property tax cut. Uh so we figured that in and that represents a general reserve for transfer uh at $6.8 million. You know we note that the general reserve from transfer does not mean that it will be the bank balance. It does not mean that it will be the carryover. It is a complicated calculation worked on through the treasurer and the finance officer. Uh but it is still the largest general reserve for transfer that we've dealt with in this court or excuse me in uh since I took office as judge executive. Um moving on down we have the additional social security retirement health insurance line items. uh for payout, sick time, those sort of items to bring us up to the 500 line items. And the 500 line items are our road department.

Moving on to the road department line items. I would note that the line item 519, we are waiting on our presentation from the state highway department to confirm our flex funds. They told us to put that figure in as a placeholder. It is highlighted because it could change upon an actual um madam clerk, do you recall when they will present to us? Is it in June? We're still waiting. It's possibly the first meeting in June.

The road materials line item is one that we would uh leave at that amount for paving. That'd be one that we'd look at for paving projects. I would add that A couple of things that uh we're looking at, safety improvements on Huntertown Road, including our crosswalk at Huntertown Elementary, additional street lighting in Lanes View, possibly some other spot street lighting in other neighborhoods that uh have been identified by the road supervisor and that is where the uh additional $40,000 for the dry hydrant assistant costs come into play for the Woodford County Fire Protection District. Line item 525 is the uh calculation of the municipal road aid and that is yellow because again that could be that could change as a calculation. One of the big items clearly is line item 533 which are the encumbered trucks that we have budgeted for in budgets past and the current budget. That's three trucks uh with salt plows and spreaders. Much needed pieces of equipment that we do anticipate we will take possession of and pay for in this fiscal year. But

it's it's not guaranteed that we will be able to do all of those. But should they become available, should we be able to do that, we will we will have it budgeted for saying squire gentry. Uh yeah. Can we go back to line item 520 there? Uh, I think it's 520. No, no, that's not it. U 518. 18.

Should that be more since we're filling positions and the increase in um the overall pay and the overall trend that has been happening here lately? That that's a really good question. So, um I will say that we normalized that number uh to what we would anticipate. So, we went from 35 to 45. This is overtime for the road department. The ice storm was extraordinary. And if you all remember, we had a couple extraordinary events, just really, really timeconsuming events with additional o overtime in December. Um they're fairly out of the ordinary. We wouldn't anticipate that. However, I think as a matter of um you know, we don't but we try not to budget to zero. We try to not have to transfer in funds. So, would it be your recommendation square gentry that we bump that up?

Yes, it would be. All right. Would $50,000 in road department overtime anticipated expenses be enough? million question. It's a $5,000 question at this point. Well, I will say this. Um,

so currently we're at $46,000. Um, and we're not even done with the fiscal year, but we're in the we're in a relatively good period. say that, but then we had that big windstorm and that's probably why that edged up like that. 50,000 probably be a good start.

Okay. And here's what what I'll do. What what I'll do is I'll talk to uh Yeah, Beth, please. So, at this time, the road workers overtime is at 64,17813. I still need to key in a couple payroll expenditures because I've been working on budget. So that number could be more. Um but as of the first payroll in April, that's where we stood

and and that reflects from this 46,000 that reflects that windstorm is what that reflects. So we've had these extraordinary events. So I do agree that we definitely need to to move it up. I will discuss with uh road supervisor Scott Dean about his anticipated expenses which is normally what we do with these type of questions. So uh we'll put in a marker at 55,000. Is there a motion to amend that line item for same motion by country? Second by Squire Taylor.

Are there any questions? Seeing none. All those in favor please vote and signify by saying I. I.

All those opposed nay. And that motion carries. Great question. Described entry. Other questions on the road department line items. Then I would return us to line item 534 that is also highlighted because we are waiting the final calculation of county road aid. Uh, one major expense that is uh somewhat it's much needed, it's overdue is the new salt barn. You'll see that line item at 540. We both need a new salt barn that can handle the amount of salt that we need to uh impound and warehouse because, you know, we were at our limit with this this uh twoe ice storm event. But our current barn, which actually held up, we have two barns. They're not in great shape. They are years if not decades past their serviceable life. they're having problems. And so, uh, in a road department meeting about the reorganization, the road department employees expressly requested the fiscal court consider a new salt barn that is also better able to move equipment in and out of uh that will preserve the salt better so that they don't have losses on the edges and in the open spaces. And so we are looking at um more of a hoop barn type square varner. But again that that'll be a project that needs to be bid and uh approved by the fiscal court. But I think it's important to budget that item for the road department in this fiscal year.

Square Downey. Yeah. Along those lines on the line item 526 for road salt that has the 300,000 there and that is county road aid being used for yes the salt. Yes. But I will say we are getting a double aotment u so that we do not have to worry about it y

at all. Um, we were at a point where we were within I think I don't know how few uh tons we had left, but we were really scraping the bottom of the barn when the shipment came in on the second Monday of the ice storm. And it was like mana from heaven. It was we were worried that it wouldn't have come and um we don't want to ever be in that situation again. And a big shout out to road supervisor Scott Dean for rationing that salt to get us through to that period and use it in the most effective manner. Any other questions regarding the road department budget. Uh moving on to 541. We do have the Paynees depot bridge project. Again, that's a $1.1 million bridge project that we got a grant for. So, we have the receipts to back that up as well. U and that also includes our engineering cost budgeted for that, which we're budgeting high for that. Uh hoping that it will come in under. Moving on down, we have our medical service for employees. We have our road, social security, retirement, health, dental, life, and workers comp. Then we move on to the jail budget as presented by the jailer in April. Are there any questions or comments regarding the ga the jail budget?

Let me take a look at it. We'll inquire as to that and get you a response. All right.

Moving forward, we have the um road equipment and LGA funds, the reserve for transfer. Clearly that is the first budget where that is the exhaustion of those LGA funds which had been going away for several years but we finally expensed them out. Moving forward we have the line items 613 through 619. Um, again, the KPDI program is passed through funding. The KO safety grant is left in there hoping for eligibility applicability. Then we move on from 620 to 638. The biggest item would be 623, the $2.7 million in the USDA flood recovery grant purchase of property. We also have in this line item or in the line item 632, we have $8.4 $4 million in the uh Milville wastewater project grant. That is a project that is proceeding slowly, but we would anticipate would take place in the next fiscal year. There could be expenses to continue to come out this fiscal year and that's why it's highlighted. Seeing as we're in these grant line items, um we have ambulance equipment grant, tire disposal, household hazardous waste,

litter abatement. We did receive a Jack Jwitt House historical society grant for a promotional video for Jack Jwitt House for America 250. We would anticipate that to be spent in the current fiscal year. So that may not be applicable, but in case it is not expensed or paid for, we will have the ability to budget it. Moving on down, continuing on grant funding, we have the $125,000 for the pavilion project at Huntertown Community Interpretive Park. several cyber security grants. We have emergency management's performance grant. We have the mitigation grant of a million dollars. We have the USDA flood recovery grant purchase of property. That's the EWP buyout program. $11.8 million. We have a $430,000 left in the Millville waterline project. So that is Germany, Shore Acres, 4acre, Watts Ferry, and Hippie Aagi. That project is moving along really well. I would anticipate that we might even zero out that line item and complete that project before the fiscal year's over. John's saying maybe not.

So, so that's why we have continued to keep it in the budget. That's the safe room. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Uh that's why it's yellow. Uh it will probably be drawn down upon in the fiscal year but not completed. Optimism springs eternal. You know

we have the safe rooms grant. Director Chandler can give you all additional information about that. And there is the A for requested big sink sidewalk project. Uh Squire Varner and myself been working very hard to push that along as fast as we can. Yeah. Um it's in the right ofway and uh acquisition squarer. I'll give you the floor. Yes, judge. We were talking about some extra stuff that there um I don't know if this grant will cover it, but the lighting we're going to if do we need to put something in here for the lighting for the trail? For the path. Yes.

I've had I've been thinking about that and you and I talked a little bit on it, but lighting that path maybe with those solar lights that uh we put in Lanes View. Yes, sir. So, I believe if if you we if we want to, we will earmark that for line item 52 24 in road materials, which is what we would pull the lanes view lights out of. Um, we've put together a a good amount of funding in there for that type of expense, lighting, striping, road materials. So, um, we'll make a note to identify and earmark road material funding for the lighting for the big sink sidewalk. Thanks for the reminder.

All right. Now we move on to emergency management's budget and director Chandler is here to answer any questions there on. Director Chandler is uh has done a slight reorganization of the department uh recommending a slight reorganization of the department with an additional full-time staff member. Also a very very important project in the emergency management budget is 701. That is the new building the logistics facility which would be slated to go behind the jail. So you all approved the RFP for that to go out already. There is a chance that some of those expenses could be expended in the current fiscal year. Um, one thing that I want to talk about topically because I don't want to get into the details of it, uh, but I'm willing to discuss this with with any of you. We are looking at the EMS building in Midway, that property as being sold to help us fund some of the costs for this building. I mean, it all goes into the general fund, but one of the things that we're looking is we we have uh insurance proceeds to cover part of this cost and we would look at um selling that property. Uh potentially that is a process. It is a pretty complicated in-depth process as the county attorney knows. Um it would take approval of the court. We have to go through all that, but we would look at offsetting some of the cost with a potential sale of that piece of public property. So, for those worried about the county purchasing property, we will be selling a piece of property.

Uh, possibly. I think we also need to explore that property and any other potential uses for the county that could have benefit before we make that decision. questions for Director Chandler regarding his budget. He did not have the opportunity to present and I appreciate you hanging around for this. All right, we'll move on to other items in the 700s. Those are um remaining flood items. I would note that line item 735 um I'm correct in saying that that is for additional flood dumpsters. So one of the things that is important for everybody to know is that the road department is still doing rightway side of road debris cleanup when um flood survivors have that need. I know that in Shoreacres it's somewhat of a regular pickup. Uh Lower Clifton Buck Run had some pickups in the last few weeks and so we're still funding dumpsters as part of our recovery effort. Square Gentry

uh we might want to start thinking about getting those out of there. People of from town are starting to bring their um demolition roofing materials down. Either that or we need to keep a better eye on it somehow. So, we we actually have had uh the recycling and solid waste department um folks in the neighborhoods checking on some of the dumpsters, particularly Shoreacres and and Lower Clifton. Um I think we're we've got a pretty good handle on it, but we'll follow up on that. But that's where if we would continue any flood dumpsters, that's where we would keep those items. questions or comments on that. You'll move down to 754. That's your sheriff asset forfeite reserve for transfer. The sheriff's office does a really great job in securing those funds and offsetting county expenses through the use of asset forfeite funds. It's u really a huge asset to the county and we appreciate it very much. Also, we have our county clerk storage fees and the permanent storage fees which uh allow the county clerk the ability to uh do projects like her deed retardation project. Uh moving that online line item 76 765 is our broadband project which is currently underway. That's another project that we are paying cash for which is a really really big deal. I'm told that Woodford County government is one of the few counties that is slated to pay for their project in cash. Many are bonding or getting other grants and support types to fund that and doing matching amounts and we have hung on to our ARPA funds

for the completion of that project by the end of this calendar year. Uh you also will notice that we have earned a good deal of interest and I give the treasur a great amount of credit and commenation for wise investment of those funds. That's going to help us if we get to the project and have additional needs therein and otherwise it would go into the general fund. Then we move on to our debt. Again, I mentioned that we have some of the lowest debt that we've ever had, and that is because of these debt payments. Our main uh item of debt is the energy savings performance project. And I would just note that the um the bond rating agencies uh said that the Woodford County Fiscal Court had the highest municipal or government quality rating, which indicates a very low credit risk and a strong and stable financial position, which is projected to remain stable in the future. It's one of the highest ratings that any county can achieve in the state. So when we talk about this budget and we talk about spending and whether or not we're spending too much or not enough or any questions like that with the amount of reserve we have and the amount of debt that we have uh we are in a strong financial position to maintain that bond rating. If we submitted this budget and that bond rating was to go down, then that would indicate that uh maybe there was a shift in our financial position, but from what I have uh discussed with Compass Municipal and others, this budget is stable and sound.

So, that moves us on to the end of the budget. So, I'd like to open up the floor for any questions on any part of the budget. Then I would return everyone to the include and exclude list. The one thing that I would like for us to go ahead and make a commitment to include here tonight would be the emergency management new building logistics facility. I've explained to you our process in attempting to finance that both through budgeted dollars, a potential land sale, and insurance proceeds. Um it's a much much needed uh asset for the county. We don't have anything like it. We have a great need for it. In times of need, we haven't had it and it could have served as very very important purposes. Uh it is budgeted in this current year. So I would go ahead and uh entertain a motion to budget it in the next fiscal year. Motion by Square Carl. Second by Squire Taylor. Are there any questions there on? Seeing none, all those in favor?

Yeah. Square have already got an appraisal on that piece of property yet? No, sir. Okay. All right. No, sir. Um I think we'll we will have a discussion as if just to make sure there's no identified public need or use of that land before we do that. And we'll do that in fiscal court. Other questions or comments? Squar Taylor, we were just um Scrier had a a good point about the portable stage. Um would that be uh no longer necessary in there? Um given the the expenditure on June 12th.

Yes, that is correct. So Bev, if you would take note 7391, that maintenance light item should be reduced by $35,000. It's already excluded from the budget. It already is excluded from that total figure. Yes. Y total. I thought that was Sorry, I'm sorry the confusion. I was thinking that was whether or not we decided to put it in is why that was written there.

Well, you probably thought that cuz I said that. Um, and it was, excuse me, it was left in just as a discussion point and to make sure that we could get it purchased in the fiscal year. No savings there on this list. So there is a motion on the table for the logistics facility for the emergency management to include in the fiscal year 2627 budget. All those in favor please vote and signify by saying I. I. All those opposed, nay.

That motion carries. Um I would entertain a motion to approve the dry hydrant assistance cost for the Woodford County Fire Protection District. So move. Motion Bquire Barner. Second by Square Blackford. All those in favor, please vote and signify by saying I. I.

All those opposed, nay. That item will be included. The NAACP program support is included. The rural land board property development rights project is included. So, the items we need to take up go with the equipment items, the safety barriers, and the improvements to the government center. And what I would do is instead of taking those up tonight, I'll let you all have the opportunity to do additional questions and research since we've whittleled that down. Um, I would also say if there's anything additional that we would look like look at including or excluding from the budget that you would present that to me and I will present it to the court for approval. So, I'd entertain a motion for any inclusion or excluded items in the budget to be approved via email by vote um prior to our next meeting. Is there a motion?

Motion. Motion by Squire Taylor. Second by Squire Carl. All those in favor, please vote signify by saying I. I. All those opposed, nay. So we do have the ability to approve approve inclusion or exclusion of items from the budget. So let me ask you all additional questions or comments regarding the budget as presented. All right. To Squire Gill's earlier point, since the April 28th meeting, we have received the fire protection district budget. We must accept that into the record. Is there a motion for saying motion?

Motion by Squire Gill, second by Squire Brown. All those in favor, please vote and signify by saying I. I.

All those opposed? Nay. That motion carries. You also saw the commerce allocation request. It's already been included in the budget. There being nothing else to come before the committee of the whole, not the fiscal court meeting, the committee of the whole. We are now adjourned in the committee of the whole. And now I will call us back into recess from recess to the fiscal court meeting. Madame clerk, is there any additional items that we have not taken care of? Seeing none, we'll move on to announcements. Magistrates, uh, Squire Blackford.

No, I have nothing to um, so, uh, Jaylor Ranken just indicated that they needed a new frier for the jail. Was that line item amount that you asked about? Okay, thank you for that question. Um, sorry. Squire Blackford. Squire Gil. Nothing there. Square Brown.

Judge, I just want to um draw attention to the to broadband expansion and and fiber expanding across the county. I I don't know if folks have seen them, but they're still working on Delaney Ferry out Troy Pike, and I'm proud to say today they've uh made it a little bit north in the county and have been on Big Sync. So, uh they're really making some progress. appreciate their hard work. Thank you. Squire Gentry. Squire Barner. No. Squire Carl. Nothing. Squire Downey. Go vote. Primary voting in person starts Thursday. Primary day on Tuesday. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. County Attorney. Sir,

judge. The only thing I didn't have anything, but in the last couple of minutes, it has come to my attention since Miss Mattingly left here, she has become a grandmother again, a little baby girl just born to her daughter Shelby and Steel. And so, congratulations to the uh Ralphson Mattingley families.

Congratulations. That's great. That's great news. Um, I want to take the opportunity to thank um, Madame Treasurer, uh, our finance officer, human resources, uh, manager, our court clerk, everybody who worked on the budget. Uh, it is it is really long hours in those last few days before the budget goes out. And everybody commits themselves, sacrifices from their family, and works really hard. And, uh, they've done it again and done a tremendous job. It's also National Law Enforcement Appreciation Month and it is National Police Week and so we want to thank uh Deputy Fugate and the off and the sheriff's uh deputies and Brazil's police officers who do such a great job in keeping us safe. There was a report that came out earlier this year that indicated that Woodford County is one of the safest communities in America. That's not by accident. Uh and our first responders and law enforcement do a tremendous job in keeping us safe. So, thanks to Chief Young, Sheriff Will Hoy, and all of our officers for all they do for us. I want to close on a sad note tonight. Dr. Julia Blake Robinson. Julie Robinson passed away at the all too young age of 48 years old. Um, she had a courageous battle with a rare form of cancer and she was surrounded by her family and friends when she passed away. Um, she was born on November 14th, 1977 to Barbara Robinson who preceded her in death and her dad Calvin. Uh, she grew up on Broadway Street in Verscell's. I was honored to know her as an older kid in my neighborhood. She was full of positivity and fun and energy and kindness. She loved others. She loved giving. She loved taking care of people and she would light up a room with her beautiful smile. She was a proud class of 90 1996 graduate from Woodford County High School. She loved her class. She was voted class clown and student council president. She was an

exceptional volleyball player and a friend to all and always looked out for her dear little sister Susan. She was accomplished in her own right with a bachelor's degree from WKU. She was on the speech and debate team and she had a doctorate from the University of Louisville. And that's why we call her Dr. Julie Robinson. We lost Julie Robinson too soon. Our prayers and love go out to our family and many friends. And if we could adjourn tonight in honor of the great Dr. Julia Blake Robinson. We'll observe a moment of silence and then we will gavl out. Amen. We are ajourned. God bless you and may God bless Woodford County.