By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio
Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025 — Nelson Fiscal Court gave the initial approval for a new employment program that is being launched by the Nelson County Jail.
According to Jailer Justin Hall, low-level offenders who are within a year of release may have the option of working a regular job at a local company, which will pay them normal wages.
A portion of the inmate’s wages will go to cover their housing at the jail; another part of their wages will be set aside for victim restitution or child support if applicable. The inmate will keep a portion of wages, which will be deposited in a bank account.
When the inmate is released, he or she will have access to that money, and can help pay for deposits for an apartment, etc.
Only state inmates can qualify to participate in the program, Hall said.
The court voted 4-0 to approve the employment program, providing that the employer is responsible for the inmate’s transportation to and from the job site.
LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT. After a short executive session, Nelson County Judge-Executive Tim Hutchins announced the county had settled a lawsuit against the county by Springfield Laundry.
The lawsuit focused on problems with uniforms provided to county landfill employees, Hutchins said. The settlement has the county paying $6,000 to Springfield Laundry. In exchange, the laundry will return uniforms to county employees.
BULKY ITEM PICKUP. After brief discussion, fiscal court voted to run the 2026 Bulky Item Pickup in the same manner as last year’s pickup.
The pickup will begin with Phase 1 Monday, Feb. 23, 2025, which includes all roads west of Louisville Road and north of the Bluegrass Parkway. This includes the Hwy 245 area and US62 from Bardstown through Boston to the Hardin Count line.
Salt River customers can look for postcards with details of the 2026 Bulky Item Pickup in their December utility bills.
In other action, Nelson Fiscal Court:
— The court approved a bid of $5,200 a month for janitorial services for the Nelson County Justice Center. The cost is a pass-through which will ultimately be paid by the Administrative Office of the Courts.
— the court approved spending $15,898 to replace the engine of a truck at the landfill. The engine will be replaced using landfill labor.
— heard that efforts to collect past due county garbage collection bills has surpassed $100,000. During the process of identifying garbage customers, the county has identified 136 new accounts that were not receiving garbage bills.
— signed a proclamation setting Nov. 9-15, 2025,, as Nurse Practitioner Month.
— heard a report that the county work truck stolen recently while parked in Bardstown was recovered recently near St. Joseph, Mo. The truck has been returned along with its contents intact.
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