Finances and FEMA
EUDS Consulting agent John Phelps. Photo by PJ Martin
By PJ Martin
Editor
The Herald-News
The Metcalfe County Fiscal Court met in regular session on Thursday, July 25th with Magistrate Kevin Crain absent. A quorum was present with three magistrates.
The magistrates adopted the agenda followed by the approval of the July 11th meeting minutes with no changes noted.
The Metcalfe County Sheriff’s 2023 Tax Settlement was presented by office manager Lynn Lunz who stated it must be completed each year before September 1st. The settlement listed:
Total Charges as $120,847.90
Total Credits of $10,006.46
Less Commissions of $4,433.66
Amount Due to Taxing District $106,407.78
The court acknowledged the receipt of the annual financial report from the Metcalfe County Conservation District followed by the approval of the annual contribution to the Conservation District of $2,500.
Resolution
Resolution 24-0725 which allows under KRS 218B.130 the direction of the question to allow or prohibit cannabis businesses from operating in Metcalfe County to be voted on by the citizens of the county at the next election on November 5, 2024.
“I think before we had decided that we wanted to just put that on the ballot,” said Judge/Executive Larry Wilson, and County Attorney Sharon Howard added, “This is the recommended resolution to do that.”
The motion to approve the resolution was made by Magistrate Daniel Bragg and seconded by Magistrate Harvey Hawkins and the resolution passed unanimously.
Bridges
Magistrate Ronnie Miller asked that the Lewis Free Creek crossing be added to the agenda. Miller said, “Well, they took it out (bridge). Probably need to pour a low water concrete on each end anyway, right Chris (Compton)?” Road Supervisor Compton agreed and said there was a little hole on the far side.
Magistrate Bragg asked, “What’s the process and the timeline like when we have to do it, to see about getting 80/20 money to build a bridge that would actually flow there?”
“I think there might be some money out there available, said Judge Wilson, “We’ll fix that little hole for the time being then we’ll try to get something going to replace that.”
“Craig Cawdill is who you need to speak to about 80/20 and ask for 2 years…if it’s gonna wind up being a large pretty expensive project which I imagine that one would be. That’s a pretty good span across that…you could ask for $80,000 for this year and then you can ask for next year’s also to go towards that project. You just need to tell em ahead of time,” advised John Phelps of EUDS Consulting.
Miller asked if signs could be put up at the location and Compton answered that he did put up signs and one had been stolen.
Next, the issues with Gilliam Bridge on Highway 90 were discussed. Bragg reminded everyone that the bridge was deeded to the county and explained, “It’s not so much the bridge itself is a problem, it’s that it doesn’t flow and it’s backing up in all the yards there on 90 and flooding them out…It was a low water crossing that they put tiles on top of it then poured concrete…It’s got 4 maybe 12-inch tiles right now, but we’re gonna bust those out and put two 3-foot tiles and pour it back on top of that.”
“At the most, it would be 2,500 dollars invested in this,” said Bragg. The motion to do the repair was approved.
Other Items
The vote was unanimous to appoint Tareena Sloan to the Metcalfe County Economic Development Board. She is filling the spot left vacant when Lisa Boswell left the board due to holding the chairperson position on the Industrial Board.
The Road Dept. dump truck was totaled in an accident and the insurance has already paid out the claim for $32,000, but the department needs another truck. Discussion led to the need for a larger truck and it was agreed upon. The purchase will require bids to be taken.
The treasurer’s FY23/24 Settlement, the June financial statement, and the Quarterly financial report were all approved. There were no budget transfers or inter-fund transfers.
A reporter from The Herald-News inquired about the claim and payment to EUDS Consulting for $30,633.23 and asked, “Have we gotten any money back from FEMA, yet?”
Phelps of EUDS Consulting answered, “You all have been credited 550, 000 dollars toward what they said you all owed….On #4702 (FEMA claim), $114,404.12 the way I see it, and then on #7540, that’s where we made the repairs to the tiles, $37,661.96. So that should be credited toward what KYM says you all owed and they credited that towards disaster #4278 which was a disaster that happened way back in 2016. According to the letter that they sent…you all owed $166,000.”
He also stated that for claim #4361, the paperwork was received and completed the prior week. “They are pushing to try and get the old projects closed out with FEMA. So yes, your answer is yes. They received credit for time.”
Bragg then simplified as, “We’re getting this money, but we had dug such a hole in previous administrations that we’d been overpaid for so much and so we owe them so much money we’re not actually gonna see it, just offset it. That’s still a benefit to the county. We’re gaining money, but we’re not having to pay it.”
“You’re losing debt,” stated The Herald-News reporter.
Phelps stated that the old FEMA claim projects need to be fixed and show they are fixed, and in time they will all be completed and closed. In the future, you will have a new disaster claim at some point.
Treasurer Page Edwards pointed out that this was the first time EUDS Consulting had billed the county for any work they had done. The magistrates then approved the claims.
The Recycling Center and Road Department reports were available for questions. There was no other business. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 8, 2024, at 9 a.m.
