Nelson Fiscal Court honors retiring county engineer’s service

By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio

Tuesday, July 21, 2026 — Nelson Fiscal Court took a moment at the start of its Tuesday night meeting to honor the retirement of county engineer Brad Spalding.

Judge-Executive Tim Hutchins noted that Spalding brought experience and a valuable perspective when considering county projects, and that he always kept a eye on the county’s future infrastructure needs while examining existing issues.

“We’re going to miss you,” Hutchins told Spalding. “You’ve done a great job.”

Brad was joined by his wife and son for a presentation from Judge-Executive Tim Hutchins.

“Honestly I can’t think of one person who responds quicker and is more accurate and dedicated than this guy,” Magistrate M.T. Harned told the court.

“We’re going to miss his institutional knowledge,” Magistrate Adam Wheatley added.

Spalding took time to give credit to the many county employees he’s worked with that helped him achieve all the tasks he’s accomplished for the betterment of the county.

“I’ve been blessed by good fiscal courts since I’ve been in this job,” he said. “The county’s been good to me, and I’ve had great people around me.”

DUGAN LANE BRIDGE CLOSED. Hutchins advised the public that the bridge on Dugan Lane had failed a state safety inspection and it the county closed the bridge to traffic on Monday.

The county had requested funds to replace the bridge last year, engineer John Greenwell advised. Cost estimates to replace the 60-foot-long bridge is about $750,000.

Closing the bridge is an inconvenience to residents, farmers, first-responders and schools, Hutchins explained. The state has been advised of the need for help funding the bridge’s replacement.

The county is hoping to fast track state approval of funding to replace the bridge, he said.

In other business, the court:

— approved donating two old surplus sirens to Clark County for their use.

— approved issuing a request for proposals to lease space on county towers for an internet service provider.

— announced that the dedication of the Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt Memorial Highway is set for 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026 at the Bardstown-Nelson County Veterans Park. The signs will be located along a portion of Hwy 523, Deatsville Road.

— approved a plan to purchase a new transport van to haul prisoners from the jail to the courthouse, and transport prisoners from other jails to the Nelson County Jail.

Hutchins advised a van will cost about $45,000 and then require being equipped with safety cages, partitions and other equipment.

The county doesn’t have funds budgeted for the purchase, but Hutchins said Jailer Justin Hall agreed to provide $50,000 from the jail commissary fund to help fund the purchase. Additional funding for the van would come from the sheriff’s office forfeiture fund and possible the county coffers if needed.

Sheriff Ramon Pinerioa said the current transport van is 16 years old.

NEXT UP. Nelson Fiscal Court next will meet at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, in the second floor meeting room of the Old Courthouse.

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