Members of Meade County Fiscal Court worked on several items during their regular monthly meeting Tuesday (2/9).
At the beginning of the meeting, Retired Brigadier General Jim Iacocca, President and CEO of the Knox Regional Development Alliance presented the Lynn Family a commemorative coin in honor and recognize the impact of Judge Executive Gerry Lynn in his involvement with the alliance and in the community.
First District Magistrate Tom Goddard, on behalf of the Muldraugh Fire Department, to possibly consider a loan or assistance for the department to purchase new air packs. Assistant Fire Chief Anthony Lee, said the current packs used by the department are needing to be replaced by the year 2024 and they were all purchased at the same time in 2004 by FEMA grant. The city has attempted to apply for a grant for new packs but was denied in September. Lee said the plan is to replace the packs in a graduated fashion to prevent all of them needing to replaced at the same time to help deter expense. He said the 18 units were purchased in 2004 at the same time. He said that the department plans to apply again this year for grant funding. Magistrate Goddard said he would like the court to provide a loan to help the department if their grant applications are denied to ensure that the department continues to operate. After some discussion, the court decided to possibly review the request during their upcoming budget process and await the results the grant process before making a commitment.
The court heard met a heard information related to a planned solar project from representatives of NextEra Energy Resources. The company has recently acquired a solar project slated for Meade and Breckinridge Counties which could be one of the biggest solar projects so far in the state. Company officials are working with local property owners near Guston and Irvington to build a 200 mega-watt solar farm which which would interconnect to the Big Rivers Nick Mill Substation. Construct is expected to be between 16 to 18 months and be completed in 2023, creating between 200 to 300 construction jobs.
Commonwealth Economics presented the findings of a feasibility study for a new grain elevator in Meade County. The findings of the study determined that a grain elevator is favorable in the county which could result in a facility to produce 10 to 5 million bushels throughput at an estimated cost of $9 to 11 million. If county leaders could secure the land for development, the project would be eligible for a P3 public-private venture. The study gives a solid thrust for county leaders as they work to negotiate their options on regaining a grain operation.
Brandenburg Mayor Ronnie Joyner approached Fiscal Court to be a 60/40 funding partner for a new boat dock at Flippins’ Run Park along the city’s riverfront park. The cost of the proposed aluminum dock is $39,912. Joyner said this dock would last longer than wooden docks which last a few years and costs about $5,000 each rebuild. He also asked about a second 60/40 partnership to shoulder the expense of installing bollards around the Civil War memorial monument. The bollards would provide decorative security and protection around the perimeter of the monument. During the past summer, large concrete blocks were set around the perimeter to protect against destructive acts by protesters and civil antagonists. The cost of the bollards were $10,785. Joyner said that volunteer labor has been offered to install the devices. Fiscal Court members said that they needed time to review each of the projects and possibly review the items during their upcoming budgeting planning.
Joyner also asked the magistrates to considered using a small piece of land for a proper parking lot for public use in downtown Brandenburg near the old jail and courthouse site. He said he estimated about twenty parking spots could be gained. A similar request has been made for a strip of land owned by the city for the same purpose. Judge Executive Leslie Stith said that he would look into the request.
In other business, Meade County Clerk Judy Jordan provided the court with $238,632.93 in excess fees from her budget. Meade County Sheriff Phillip Wimpee provided $13,109.67 in excess fees from his budget year. The court approved the Sheriff’s tax audit, Detention Center policies and procedures and Emergency Management Operations Plan 2020 Audit. Magistrates approved the accuracy and first reading of a budget amendment related to the CARES ACT funds. They also approved the resignation letters of Chuck Hansbrough and Mitch Short from the Planning and Zoning Commission and the agreement for the state HVAC inspections.
After a half hour closed session, the court returned to action to terminate an employee at the Solid Waste and Recycling Center. Fiscal Court approved the creation of job descriptions for Records Custodian Advisor and a Training Officer.
You can watch the entire regular meeting of the Meade County Fiscal Court in our “On Demand” section.
Photo Caption: Jim Iacocca of KRDA presents Nancye Lynn & family commemorative coin.
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