Members of Meade County Fiscal Court worked through a lengthy agenda during their regular meeting Tuesday (5/14) night.
Magistrates expressed their opinions related to the trash collection franchise agreement. The Solid Waste Advisory Committee recommended the franchise be awarded to Green River Waste who was the lowest bidder of the four companies who provided bids. Some magistrates voiced concerns and pointed out that Republic has worked with county leaders to resolve issues and has assisted with various requests made of them. After several minutes of comments, the motion to award the bid to Green River Waste failed by a 5 to 1 vote. The court then voted 5 to 1 of awarding the trash franchise to Republic. Third District Magistrate Billy Sipes stated that the contract should have language that requires a company representative to attend at least six fiscal court meeting a year to keep communication even between Solid Waste, Republic and Fiscal Court.
In other business, Chad Butler with Meade County Schools asked county leaders to help fund vape detectors at the campus at Meade County High School. The total cost of the 20 detectors needed would be approximately $20,000. The school district will provide half of the funding with the county providing the remaining $10,000 from Opioid funds received from the state. The vape detectors will be installed in boy and girls restrooms in the main building, Freshman Academy and the Area Technology Center. The court unanimously approved the request.
The court approved the reappointments of Jeanna Turner to the Meade County Brandenburg Economic Development Board; William J. Vowels to the Flaherty Fire Protection District Board; Tina Stith to the Payneville Fire Protection District Board; Greg Fackler to the Battletown Fire Protection District Board and Jess Mills to the Planning and Zoning Code Enforcement Board. Magistrates approved renewing a three year contract for the Code Red system. The system is used by Meade County 911 to send phone calls, text or email alerts for various emergency information to a call list of citizens. Citizens can sign up for the alerts by visiting the link on the county’s website or at WVIH.com or by texting MEADEALERT to 99411. They also approved a purchase of Dodge Ram 3500 truck for Meade County EMS to use a chase vehicle to assist with calls especially where a patient is off the road or in a wooded area that a regular ambulance can not get to.
County leaders approved the fiscal year 2025 County Road Aid Cooperative Agreement and the State Flex Fuel Funds. Magistrates approved a contract with Hardin County Animal Control for 12 slots weekly for spay and neuter of animals. The contract is to secure pricing for the procedures.
County leaders tabled action from the Planning and Zoning Commission related to a zoning map amendment for property owned by David and Thresa Padgett. County Attorney Sydney Durham said the recommendation needed to be table due to pending lawsuit filed against the county by the Padgetts. The court approved the first reading of ordinances related to agriculture land acquisition and moratoriums on new solar projects and RV parks.
Solid Waste received approval from Fiscal Court to purchase new 30 foot roll off boxes for the Solid Waste and Recycling Center. County leaders also approved to request bids for a new 50 by 80 foot building and a glass pulverizer to replace the ones lost in a fire back December at the recycling facility. The court approved sending two trucks from Solid Waste to auction. They also approved requesting bids on two new Volvo Trucks and the related financing. The court approved a recycling contract with Rumpke.
The court heard and approved the second reading of the proposed 2024-25 Fiscal Year budget. After some changes to the $37 million budget, the amendments elevated to the proposed budget to over $41 million for the upcoming budget year.
Court members went into a twenty minute executive session to discuss pending litigation and returned with action taken.
You can watch the entire regular meeting of the Meade County Fiscal Court in our “On Demand” section.
You must be logged in to post a comment.