Fiscal Court conducts special called meeting By Joe Redmon On Oct. 5, Judge Executive William Haynes called a special meeting of Fiscal Court and conducted a special working session. Magistrates Jamie Staples, Don Callecod and Kent Allen were unable to attend. Special meeting agenda items included action pursuant to a variance request and action relating to hunting on leased crop land on the recently acquired 550 acres of industrial land near the river. No objections were made to the variance request, allowing construction of a building within 10 feet of a county park. The hunting issue, however, was contentious. Magistrate Theresa Padgett pointed out the farmer leasing land on the industrial site, Jerry Hardesty, was losing money as a direct result of crop damage by a herd of deer in that area. She was concerned the county could be sued by Hardesty to cover his losses. Historically, hunters had acted to thin that herd and kept damage to a minimum. However, since the Meade County-Brandenburg Industrial Authority (MCBIA) operationally controls the industrial site, the MCBIA has placed hunting off limits. Magistrate Herbie Chism pointed out this was a decision for the MCBIA to make, that Fiscal Court didn’t control that public property, that Mr. Hardesty’s contract was between he and the MCBIA, and that Hardesty needs to take his issue to them. David Pace, chairman of the MCBIA, was out of town and unavailable to attend. Hardesty contended that he had asked the MCBIA for action but hadn’t received any decision. Haynes commented that Kentucky Association of Counties (KACO) insurance wouldn’t cover hunting activities on county property. Padgett quoted from a KRS contradicting that contention. The Fiscal Court took no action regarding this issue. During the special working session, Fiscal Court discussed bids to purchase a new ambulance. Padgett pushed for a “reverse auction” procedure, where bids would be opened and competition could bid to lower the costs on purchases by the county. This hasn’t been done by the county in the recent past and Pam Weber, director of Meade County Emergency Services, wasn’t familiar with the process, but agreed to check on it and report. The final item on the working meeting agenda was the official reacceptance of the entrance of county roads being rebuilt by the state as they complete work along Hwy 448 near Brandenburg. Haynes described this process as “routine” and necessary as these county roads are adjoined to the new highway.
|
