Nelson Fiscal Court discusses pension issue, repairs at Wickland estate
Judge Executive Dean Watts gestures while discussing the state pension issue Tuesday during the meeting of Nelson Fiscal Court.
By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio
Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017 — Nelson Fiscal Court met in a closed executive session Tuesday morning to discuss two industrial prospects interested in locating in Nelson County, and also proposed litigation.
According to Judge Executive Dean Watts, he discussed the county’s portion of a recruitment package during the session, though he declined to name the business or to classify the nature of the industry.
“I can tell you it represents a diversification in the county because there’s no industry like it here already,” he said.
Watts said the proposed litigation concerns the county’s possible participation in a lawsuit against pharmaceutical companies regarding their role in the opioid epidemic. Some county judges are discussing such a lawsuit, and he continues to research the issue.
“Quantifying a claim may be difficult,” he said, explaining that those suffering addictions often abuse multiplied types of drugs or alcohol.
Fiscal court took no action on any of the issues discussed during the closed session.
WICKLAND. Watts has received the insurance company’s payment on the claim related to the small house that was damaged by fire July 27, 2017.
Watts said the county will need to determine what will be built back into the house. The original brick part of the home will be salvaged, but the addition on the home, which included a kitchen and family area damaged by fire, will be removed. The county will need to determine if it wants to have bathroom facilities in the rebuilt home, as the brick part of the building did not have running water.
STATE PENSION ISSUE. Watts reminded the court that state Sen. Jimmy Higdon and state Rep. Chad McCoy will hold a town hall meeting Tuesday night at 7 p.m. at the Bardstown High School auditorium.
County Engineer Brad Spalding and Magistrate Jeff Lear review documents prior to the start of Tuesday’s fiscal court meeting.
Gov. Matt Bevin has promised to call a special session this fall to deal with pension and tax reform. Watts said that Higdon said he can’t discuss what the legislature will do, but he can explain the options that the legislature won’t support.
County employees are part of the County Employees Retirement System (CERS), and the county has been advise that the county’s required pension contribution will increase $775,000 next year from $1.4 million to $2.2. million. The increase is intended to help cover a portion of the pension fund’s shortfall.
BRIDGE REPLACEMENTS. The county has received grants to help pay to replace two bridges — one on Hugh Ice Loop off Boston Road near Bellwood Road, and a bridge on Higdon Loop just north of New Haven.
The grants pay 80 percent of the project costs, with the county picking up the remainder.
US31E RESOLUTION. The court approved a resolution for the county to adopt the old portion of Louisville Road in the county now that the new US31E is open.
The stretch of Louisville Road includes approximately 1.8 miles of roadway. According to County Engineer Brad Spalding, the state has completed repaving and striping the old portions of Louisville Road.
NEXT UP. Nelson Fiscal Court next meets at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017.
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