Local businessmen chastise Fiscal Court for recent acceptance of out-of-county maintenance bid By LARRY SEE JR. A packed courtroom was the backdrop for remarks by Muldraugh business owner Harry Lusk and his employees July 10. Lusk addressed the Court, chastising them for accepting a bid from Louisville-based HMC for the county’s heating, ventilation and air condition maintenance at the courthouse. Lusk’s firm had submitted the lower of two bids, but it was rejected in a 4-3 vote June 21. Casting dissenting votes on the motion were Magistrates Mark Goddard, Steve Wardrip, Randall Hardesty and Judge Executive Harry Craycroft. The Lusk Group, who had held the service previously, bid $8,500, but they also included a $15 fuel surcharge. The firm also bid an hourly rate of $65 per hour. HMC bid $8,916 for the contract, the same as currently paid, but didn’t include a fuel surcharge. Their hourly rate, while it increased for other customers to $78, will remain at $73 for the county for the next two years. The county paid $21,559.05 for the work last year. Prior to opening the floor to public comment July 10, Craycroft said the contract has been signed and will take effect Aug. 1. “The decision has been made and my point is this is a personal decision and not a political decision. This was a business decision,” Craycroft said. “Both are good companies and both do good work. We have had the one firm for the last two years and they have done a good job. We really had no reason to move to another firm so we decided to stay,” he said, Craycroft said the decision had nothing to do with the fact the Lusk Group was not a reputable firm and they did not do a good job in the past, as they did. “I am one of the owners of the business, along with my wife, Judy,” Harry Lusk said. “We were the low bidder,” he said, adding they have received many military awards and certifications for their service. “We are proud of our county and we came here to ask the Fiscal Court to reconsider their vote, especially since it was just announced the contract is not going into effect until Aug. 1,” Lusk said. According to Lusk, the earlier decision didn’t take into account the type of services his firm provides. “We pay about $40,000 in taxes and it would be more if you consider the insurance and the other taxes we pay,” he said. “We employ 57 employees in Meade County and we pay wages to them. If you figure the money we paid over a year you would see we have made a big impact, and we feel you have made a big mistake.” He said Goddard, who represents his district and who he said had a campaign platform of working for businesses, was obviously more interested in politics. “As far as Mr. Wardrip, he is a longtime Republican and most of you know I am a longtime Democrat,” Lusk said. Lusk added he did not ask, when he hired his employees, their political affiliation, but just whether they could do the work. “I am proud of my employees and there are a few of them here tonight,” he said, reiterating the fact he always has treated his employees with respect. His comments were met with applause from the packed courtroom. Brandenburg auto retailer Tony Brown followed Lusk to the podium, telling the Court he was there as a businessman. He also urged the Court to consider local firms when making decisions. “Please, please, please look at that real hard before you make these decisions,” he said. “It’s bad, but I can live with it.” He also said, as a local businessman, most local businessmen feel like they should have an upperhand in the matter. “Especially for the money he pays and for the people he employs,” Brown said, His comments were greeted with applause. In response to a question from Magistrate Herbie Chism, assistant county attorney Greta Noe was unsure if the conttract could be rescinded, in part because she had not seen it. “I can’t really say yes or no, as I have to take a look at the contract,” she said. She indicated there might be a withdrawal clause included or a clause giving the other party a chance to appeal the decision. One of the 57 employees addressing the Fiscal Court alleged the HVAC system doesn’t work as good as Craycroft said. Another Lusk family member, Patsy Lusk, asked why magistrates didn’t accept the lower of the two bids. “There was only a $400 difference,” Craycroft said. Mike Nichols, another Lusk employee, said he has lived in the area since 2000 and indicated a lot of Meade County residents drive outside the county to jobs. “You need to back up what you put in the paper (about hiring local people),” he said. “Thank you.” “I think we have just about worn this horse out,” Craycroft said, following about 15 minutes of public commentary. “I would like a motion to adjourn.” The motion came after magistrates reminded Craycroft they needed to pay bills.
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