Magistrates OK $22.4 million budget, gas line project for industrial park

Magistrate Jeff Lear leafs through the pages of the county’s proposed budget while he poses questions about various line items. Click to enlarge.

By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette

Wednesday, May 21, 2014, 3:30 p.m. — Nelson Fiscal Court approved first reading of its 22.4 million dollar 2014-15 budget at a special meeting this morning at the Old Court House. The meeting was delayed one day due to Tuesday’s primary election.

Magistrates received a draft of the ordinance at an earlier meeting and brought their questions to Wednesday’s meeting prior voting unanimously to approve the budget’s first reading. The budget represents the county “living within its means,” Watts explained.

INDUSTRIAL PARK GAS LINE. After questioning the need for the project at an earlier meeting, the magistrates Wednesday gave Watts approval to borrow $1.2 million necessary to build an extension of an LG&E gas line under the Bluegrass Parkway into the Nelson County Industrial Park. The county would borrow the funds from the Kentucky Association of Counties (KACo) on a 10-year term with a goal of paying it off in half that time.

Magistrate Keith Metcalfe makes a point during Wednesday’s Nelson Fiscal Court meeting. Click to enlarge.

Watts explained there are two possible prospects considering the industrial park, and either would require the additional natural gas the line would make available to the industrial park. State grants can reimburse part of the costs if the prospects agree to offer jobs to the underemployed, he said.

After voting unanimously to fund the project, Magistrate Sam Hutchins told the court “You got to build a pond before you can catch a fish.”

EXPANDED INSPECTION PROGRAM. The magistrates voted unanimously to extend the county’s inspection program to include high hazard and other inspections previous conducted by state government. The fees previously paid for these state inspections — some of which are substantial — will now be paid to the county inspection program, Judge Executive Watts told the court. The county’s fee structure will mirror the state’s fee existing fee structure.

ROAD SALT SUPPLY. The severe winter weather across Kentucky this winter has driven up the demand — and the price — of road salt. The magistrates accepted the low bid of $87.99 per delivered ton from Central Salt LLC of Eligin, Ill. The price represents a $24.99 increase per ton over last year’s contract. County Road Engineer Jim Lemieux said the county is in good shape in regard to road salt, has has its storage barn full with salt purchased at the lower price.

Judge Executive Dean Watts gestures while answering question about the proposed 2014-15 county budget. Click to enlarge.

ELECTION DAY LIQUOR SALES. A change last year in the state’s laws governing alcohol sales on election days prompted a change this year in the county’s alcohol beverage control (ABC) ordinance — but not in time for Tuesday’s primary election.

The amended ordinance Watts introduced for first reading Wednesday removed the portions prohibiting sales when voting polls are open. It received unanimous approval from the magistrates, and will be up for second and final reading at the next Nelson Fiscal Court meeting on Tuesday, June 3.

TAX MORATORIUM. Approved a tax moratorium request from Joe and Jennifer Buckman operating as JTD Holdings LLC for a property at 111 East John Fitch. In the filing, the Buckmans say they will spend up to $150,000 renovating the historic but dilapidated building.

The historic home on the property had been targeted for demolition by a party who wish to buy it from the former owner last year. The Historic Review Board’s refusal to grant a demolition permit was appealed to the Bardstown City Council in July 2013. The council upheld the HRB’s ruling.

In other business, the magistrates:

— accepted reports from Jailer Dorcas Figg and EMS Director Joe Prewitt. Prewitt reminded the court May 18-24 is Emergency Medical Services Week in Kentucky, and represents an opportunity to appreciate the men and women who bring years of training and knowledge to every call they go on. the national theme for EMS Week 2014 is “Dedicated for Life.”

— gave unanimous approval for the county government’s participation in the Kentucky Deferred Compensation plan, a state-operated non-profit organization that offers 401 (k) and 457 (b) tax-deferred supplemental retirement plans. The plans are offered at no cost to county government all will give county employees another option for building retirement savings;

— approved by a 4-1 vote to renew its Health Reimbursements Arrangement contract with Benefit Marketing Solutions LLC. Magistrate Keith Metcalfe said he was dissatisfied with how the HRA was administered and cast his “no” vote accordingly;

— approved renewing the county’s Workers’ Compensation Insurance through Kentucky Employers Mutual Insurance (KEMI) with a lower annual premium;

— appointed Dexter Watkins to the Northeast Nelson Fire District Board;

— approved second and final reading on amendments to the county’s animal control ordinance;

— awarded a bid to replace two culverts on Hibbs Lane to Hornback Construction Co. of Hodgenville.

NEXT. Nelson Fiscal Court will next meet 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 3, 2014, in the Fiscal Court meeting room in the Old Courthouse.

-30-