SALYERSVILLE – The Magoffin County Fiscal Court met in regular session on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, discussing ongoing projects, road resurfacing funds and honoring a fallen WWII war hero.
The court approved the following fund transfers from the general fund: $55,000 to the jail fund, and $10,000 to the solid waste fund; and $150,000 from the LGEA fund to the general fund.
The fiscal court heard a presentation from Bloom KY, a company that focuses on preventing adverse childhood experiences through policy changes. Judge/Executive Matthew Wireman explained they need outside direction to help meet goals for the opioid settlement funds, and Bloom KY is an option to help facilitate that conversation, though Wireman said the first step would be to gather a committee to be in charge of deciding how to appropriately spend those funds.
Deputy Judge Kevin Howard updated the court on ongoing projects, explaining they have the new basketball court in at Bloomington Park and fill dirt is placed on the outside. He said they are placing parking spots there now.
At the horse park, he said they have installed the new light switches and the horse pens and fencing has been painted. The next horse show is this Saturday, July 20, to benefit the rescue squad.
Under Hinkle blacktopping, Howard said they have completed the scheduled projects.
The fiscal court approved a resolution honoring Private First Class Winford Arnett and naming S. Arnett Branch (CR-1217), in Magoffin County, Kentucky, from mile point 0.00 to mile point 0.859, to be forever known as Private First Class Winford Arnett Memorial Road. Arnett was killed in action during World War II in Italy, after fighting in several battles in North Africa and Italy, injured previously and awarded a Purple Heart, among other accommodations. A road dedication ceremony will be scheduled at a later date.
The court approved the Sheriff’s 2023 Settlement of Property and Franchise taxes.
The fiscal court approved an agreement and resolution between themselves and the Commonwealth of Kentucky Department of Highways Transportation Cabinet for the County Priority Projects Program, which Judge Wireman explained is what the governor’s discretionary funding used to be, to help receive funding on the emergency road projects. The legislature created this program and changed the way counties submit those projects, and they had already submitted a list of road projects for Magoffin, estimated at costing $381,000.
Judge Wireman said they are looking into demolishing the old library building, but they have to evaluate it for asbestos beforehand. The fiscal court approved a proposal with Air Source Technology, Inc., for that evaluation.
The court approved the lease agreement with Enterprise Fleet Management, with Judge Wireman said they would rotate two current vehicles to the senior citizens program and then these two new vehicles added to the county’s fleet.
The fiscal court approved correcting the length of Prater-Preston Cemetery Road, (CR-1006) from 0.117 to 0.158, with Wireman explaining they had measured it and it was just wrong on the books, but accuracy will help them when applying for road funding projects.
The court approved the petition to close McNew-Fairchild Cemetery Road (CR-1207) pursuant to KRS 178.116, explaining the one land owner involved did not want it in the county road system and there’s no record the county has ever maintained it.
They also discussed medical cannabis, with Judge Wireman explaining that it is his understanding that there will be 14 dispensaries in the state and the chances on one of them to be located here is very slim. He explained they can have a resolution and put it on the ballot or set an ordinance and advertise it. He said they have until August 13 to decide to put it on the ballot. The state will issue the licenses, etc., so this option would only make the rules more stringent, but Wireman said this seems to be a non-issue, since the state regulates this and it’s highly unlikely a dispensary will be located in Magoffin, anyway. The court didn’t take any action on that item.
They also agreed to name the old road that remains on Ivy Point that was U.S. 460 before the recent cut thru to be called Ivy Point Drive.
Judge Wireman said Fourth of July events were a success, so he’s really looking forward to Community Day and Founder’s Day.
He gave the magistrates some sample logos and taglines for the county, which he said he will be sharing on social media for public opinion.
The next regularly scheduled Magoffin County Fiscal Court meeting is tentatively set for August 20 at 6 p.m.
