SALYERSVILLE – The Magoffin County Fiscal Court met in special session on Wednesday, July 22, in a meeting postponed from the day before due to severe weather in the forecast.
The fiscal court approved the following fund transfers from the general fund: $25,000 to the jail fund, $56,000 to the road fund, $20,500 to 911, and $5,900 to LGEA; as well as $21,533 from the state and federal advancement grant fund to the general fund.
The court discussed briefly the opioid settlement fund and the reasoning behind why very little has been spent from the fund, with the treasurer, Josie Bailey explaining the fund is not clear as to how the money can be spent, so right now they are focusing on trainings to outline how the money can be legally used.
Magoffin County Judge/Executive Don McFarland said that Circuit Judge Kim Childers asked for a small amount from the fund to be used for Drug Court, and he had told her they could do that as long as it meets the stipulations of the settlement. Bailey said they would look into it, and McFarland said Pike County uses it for that, but they will check on the requirements and support it if they can.
Under departmental reports, Deputy Judge Kevin Howard updated the court on ongoing projects, noting that at the Ramey Memorial Park pool the patches are looking pretty rough but they think it will be okay until the pool closes at the end of this week (last day July 31). He said the Salyersville Kiwanis Club will be sponsoring a free admission day for July 30.
Howard said he has spoken to Hinkle about blacktopping and they confirmed Magoffin County is on the schedule for August.
He noted they had a really good veterans memorial that weekend, which was featured in last week’s SI. He said they have two more scheduled for this year, one in August and one in September, which will be announced when that information is available.
To date, and counting the two scheduled for later this year, he said they have held 35 veterans road dedication ceremonies in Magoffin County since starting this program.
The fiscal court approved the Magoffin County Sheriff’s 2025 Tax Settlement and Franchise Taxes, as well as the 2022 Settlement of Unmined Coal Taxes.
They approved the Round 2 funding agreement with the Kentucky Product Development Initiative Program. The county will be responsible for 10% of the property purchase price on additional land for the industrial park.
The court also approved to change the regular meeting date for next month to Friday, August 14 at 5 p.m.
Under communications, McFarland said the roads are getting cut as quickly as possible.
He also said he is meeting with a startup company who are looking for property in the county to grow acreage of a high-yield grass, which could make anything from feedstock to jet fuel, and if they are able to locate here, he said they are interested in building a processing plant, which could possibly provide some new jobs for the community. McFarland emphasized they are in the early stages, but it may be coming for Magoffin County in the future.
McFarland also said the Deputy Judge Kevin Howard will be retiring on October 31 to spend some time with his family, with McFarland noting Howard deserves some well-earned rest for all the work he does for the county.
As passed in this meeting, the next Magoffin County Fiscal Court meeting will be held on Friday, August 14 at 5 p.m. the Magoffin County Courthouse Albert Patrick Building.
