Fiscal court approves telecommunications franchise for Kentucky Wired
Nelson Fiscal Court, from left, Magistrates Jerry Hahn, Jeff Lear, Bernard Ice, Sam Hutchins, Keith Metcalfe and Judge Executive Dean Watts.
By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio
Tuesday, April 17, 2018 — Judge Executive Dean Watts told Nelson Fiscal Court Tuesday that his presentation of a county budget has been delayed due to the Kentucky General Assembly and the need for it to override Gov. Matt Bevin’s vetoes.
“We’re still waiting on some budget numbers, but we have it mostly done,” he told the magistrates.
Magistrates Jerry Hahn, Jeff Lear and Bernard Ice talk prior to the start of Tuesday’s fiscal court meeting.
Watts said the legislature’s decision to allow phasing in the next year’s pension payment increases eliminated a lot of the pressure on the county government’s next year budget. He said the county had a plan to pay the entire amount if necessary, but it would have been a significant hit to the county’s budget.
Fiscal Court will receive its budget at a planned special meeting on Monday, April 30. The court will have an opportunity to hold first reading on the budget at the court’s meeting the following day, Tuesday, May 1.
KENTUCKY WIRED. Nelson Fiscal Court gave final approval of the creation of a telecommunications franchise that will eventually allow Kentucky Wired’s contractor — Bluegrass Networks — to build the Nelson County section of the state’s promised high-speed internet network.
Fiscal court had discussed — and debated — the merits of the project since first approached about a franchise agreement last fall. Judge Executive Dean Watts said recently that he supported the project not for the county’s benefit, but for the benefit of the other counties the network will serve that do not have the availability of high-speed internet that Nelson County does.
ROADS, BULKY ITEM UPDATE. Lee Mattingly, the county’s assistant road supervisor, updated the court on ongoing road projects.
Mattingly reported that the Hugh Ice Loop bridge replacement is completed, and the road crews have taken advantage of good weather to repair potholes.
Mago’s asphalt plant has been running, and several county roads have been repaved, including Walnut Creek subdivision. Other county roads are on the repaving list for the spring, he said.
In other business, the court:
— was introduced to Billy Mattingly, the Bardstown Fire Department’s new fire chief. Mattingly is a native of Bardstown and former member of the Bardstown-Nelson County Volunteer Fire Dept. Mattingly said he encourages cooperation of the county’s fire departments.
— heard that Nelson County EMS’s recent inspection found no deficiencies.
— heard that parking issues at Dean Watts Park continue, with some visitors ignoring “No Parking” signs. Recreation Director Tyler Wimpsett said if the problems continue law enforcement will be notified.
— heard from Nelson County Clerk Elaine Filiatreau that the absentee voting machines are now available for individuals who will out of the county or otherwise unable to vote on May 22, the primary election day.
— Filiatreau also reminded county residents that the last day to register to vote is 4 p.m. Monday, April 23.
NEXT UP. Nelson Fiscal Court will hold a special meeting at 8 a.m. Monday, April 30 to receive the county budget. The court will hold its regular meeting the following day at 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 1, 2018.
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