BENTON – Marshall County Fiscal Court met in regular session Tuesday, May 3, 2016 and began with a letter read by Judge Executive Kevin Neal congratulating the Fiscal Court on the recent announcement of the location of Champion Homes in Benton. Champion Homes anticipates employing approximately 150 employees. Human Resource Directors with Champion’s corporate office will hold a job fair for those seeking employment on June 1st and 2nd at the Joe Creason Community Center from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Sanitation District #1
Paul Cloud, with Paul Cloud Engineering, appeared before the court upon the request of Judge Neal to clear up questions he had regarding a Sanitation District #1 in Aurora project that began in 2012. Questions concern invoices submitted to the Fiscal Court.
In 2012, a project started at Sanitation District #1 with a $300,000 grand from Delta Regional with a match of approximately $230,000. The matching money was never received which has caused some confusion with an invoice that was submitted.
The Sanitation District board did not vote on the additional $230,000 and court records show the Fiscal Court did not vote on the additional funds to fix the plant. Additional monies that are identified must be brought to the attention of Delta Regional.
Cloud explained that early in the project, he was asked to do a report on what he thought would be best the way to spend money to get the system into shape.
“Like most small communities, it wasn’t in very good condition, there’s not a very good customer base”, Cloud said.
In his overview, Cloud said he found the areas in most need and was given the job with the $300,000 grant money to begin looking at it. Cloud said as they got into the work, they realized just how much work needed to be done.
It was determined that they would attempt to secure another grant through KIA, but ultimately went to USDA to get funds for a total of $630,000 to fix the plant. Cloud said in the meantime, they planned to use the $300,000 to fix the lift stations.
In July 2015, the work was bid through Cloud and rejected for being over budget then rebid, and again all over budget. The invoice in question is for work done with original grant money for the waste treatment plant and lift stations.
Priorities changed as to where the money would be spent, which is part of the confusion on the invoice. The invoice is for the original project work priced at $530,000, $290,000 of which was for the lift stations.
Neal asked the question as to how much money of that $530,000 was to be put to the lift stations? Cloud said he never was aware of the $530,000 amount and thought they were working with the $300,000 grant money.
The consensus among court members was that the district actually never had the full $530,000.
Neal wants to clear up the confusion over the invoices and make sure they are taken care of correctly before being submitted.
Neal requested a detailed invoice from Cloud with a more clear summary of the work. A current assessment is being made of the plant to see what work needs to be done.
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
Michael Oliver gave his annual report of Rural and Secondary Recommendations for Marshall County. The allocation for Marshall County this year is $1,269,365. Oliver went over the priorities of roads where the money will be spent.
Marshall county Health Department
Laura Hammons, Director, provided the court with the official document with the next tax rate and how the money is spent. The board voted in their January meeting to lower the public health tax from 7.5% to 7.25% which is in response to the fact that the building is built and they are in the process of lowering the rate.
Hammons also reported that Marshall County improved in health rankings in the state from 26th to 10th overall in one year out of 120 counties.
KHSAA State Fishing Tournament
Tourism Director, Randy Newcomb, shared with the court that the KHSAA High School State Bass Fishing Tournament will be held at Kentucky Dam Village May 13-14. This will be the third year for Kentucky Dam to host the event. Newcomb said the eastern part of Kentucky is pushing to get the tournament which resulted in bidding this year. Newcomb said that with the help of the Fiscal Court, Calvert City, the CVB, Chamber of Commerce, Lodging Association and Murray State University, they were able to raise $11,000 to secure the event.
A festival will run in conjunction with the tournament with food and retail vendors from 11:00 am – 6:00 pm Friday and Saturday. Newcomb said they are in need of volunteers for this event. Sixty-four teams from across the state are expected along with alternates and boat captains that will bring in close to 300 people among participants and families.
Take off Friday and Saturday from Kentucky Dam Marina is at 7:00 am and weigh-in at 3:00 pm.
Newcomb also reported on an FLW Tour Event coming to Kentucky Dam Marina June 9-12, one of their top five events.
CORRESPONDENCE
Mediacom Announcement
Mediacom announced last week a $1 billion capital investment plan that will help fund a number of important customer initiatives over the next three years.
Among the list of projects planned is the wide-scale deployment of 1 gigabit per second broadband services to all of the 3 million homes and business located within their 22 state footprint.
The expansion of the Mediacom Business fiber network to create more “lit buildings” within downtown areas and commercial districts in their markets.
They plan to launch community wi-fi throughout commercial areas across their national footprint.
Court Facilities Reimbursement
This report shows the annual reimbursement to the county for fiscal year 2017 at $335,330.
Sheriff Engagement Audit
The court accepted the Sheriff Fee Engagement for 2015 from the office of Mike Harmon, Auditor of Public Accounts.
National Day of Prayer
National Day of Prayer will be held on Thursday, May 5th at noon on the courthouse lawn in Benton.
OLD BUSINESS
Cone Drive Ordinance
The second reading was approved of the Cone Drive Speed Limit Ordinance setting the speed limit at 25 miles per hour.
NEW BUSINESS
Jail Policy Changes
The court approved the Jail Internal Policy changes according to recommendations required by the state.
Ordinance #2016-04 and #2016-05
The Budget Amendment Ordinance 1st Reading and Budget Summary 1st Reading was accepted by the court.
Hollinger Road
A petition was submitted to discontinue county road maintenance of Hollinger Road. A public hearing has been set for May 17th at 10:00 am.
County Road Committee
Judge Neal requested approval to form a committee to revise the county road petition system. Neal wants the wording on the process of bringing a road into the county maintenance system to be more clear.
Sanitation Committee
A committee will be formed for Sanitation Districts #1 and #2 for insight on the issues at the districts which the court approved.
Parks Board
With the recent appointment of new Parks Director Dennis Foust, along with the new job description, Neal feels there is some confusion as far as the structure of authority. Neal commended the parks board for their work but feels there is no need for the board any further and would like for the parks director to answer directly to the Fiscal Court. The court approved to dissolve the parks board.
Foust, retired Circuit Court Judge, was appointed as the new Parks Director at the May 19th Fiscal Court Meeting.
Meeting Dates
The next meeting of the Fiscal Court will be May 17th. Future meeting changes include moving the July 5th scheduled meeting to June 27th. Only one meeting will be held in July on the 12th.