SALYERSVILLE – The city has finally turned in the 2023 audit and is now in compliance with the Department of Local Government for state funding.
Last week the City of Salyersville received their 2023 audit report and the Department of Local Government confirmed for the SI that they have now received the audit. As of Wednesday, March 11, the City of Salyersville is considered as in compliance with the Department of Local Government (DLG) and can now receive state funding.
As some back story, in 2024 the City was awarded $2.066 million in state grants to go toward sewer projects. However, in order to receive state funding, cities must submit financial documentation to the DLG. These audits have to be completed by March 1 immediately following the fiscal year and submitted to the DLG by April 1, per KRS 91A.040. The City of Salyersville had been granted an extension by the DLG for the 2023 audit, but had been considered noncompliant for failing to submit the fiscal year 2023 audit.
So, when sewer issues seemed to escalate through 2025, not much could be done, with only minor fixes available. By October, roughly 170 grinder pumps were broken down throughout the sewage system, all contingent on the state-held grant money from 2024.
In October, Salyersville Mayor Stanley Howard told the Independent, “We got $2.1 million coming and all the paperwork is in. It takes care of all the grinder pumps that are down individually and takes care of all the lift stations in the whole county, replaces all the pumps, electrical wiring and everything.”
In last week’s special meeting for the Salyersville City Council, the council agreed to the first reading of an amendment to the 2025/2026 budget to include $2.066 million in state and federal funds for the sewer projects, in preparation of this funding becoming available.
As far as the timeline, Howard said previously that by the time they bid the project out and release the funds, he’s hoping the whole project will take two to three months.
The SI will continue to follow this ongoing issue.
