Emergency Services, Jobs, Shelter, and Roads

By PJ Martin 

Editor, The Herald-News 

 

The Metcalfe County fiscal court held its regular meeting on Thursday, April 23, with the following people in attendance: Judge/Executive Larry Wilson, Treasurer/Fiscal Court Clerk Page Edwards, Magistrates Ronnie Miller, Daniel Bragg, Harvey Hawkins, and Kevin Crain, and County Attorney Sharon Howard. 

 Others in attendance were Road Supervisor Chris Compton, Finance Officer Connie Taylor, Occupational Tax/ABC Administrator Lorrie Gilpin, and PJ Martin from The Herald-News. 

 Judge Wilson declared a quorum present, and the agenda was adopted with motions by Miller and Bragg.  

 This was followed by the approval of the minutes from the April 14th special-called meeting after motions made by Bragg and Hawkins. 

 Ambulance Service  

Providing an update from the Barren-Metcalfe Ambulance Service was Dr. Joe Middleton. “The budget was approved last night. We consider it to be a cost-neutral budget (no increases). The Metcalfe County monthly payments will be $37,833.98 per month, as approved by the Finance Committee and then by the full board, which is an annual contribution of $454,007.76.” 

 “Last year, Metcalfe County contributed $455,857 to the operational expenses of the Ambulance Service. In addition to paying for one ambulance, which was $190,900. That is a total contribution to the Ambulance Service of $646,757.” 

 “The cost for each run, for an ambulance to roll out the front door to respond to any call for service…averages $670.50.” Middleton further added that payments received per run “average at $371 reimbursement.”  

 “The Metcalfe County division of the ambulance service is paying for one ambulance 24 hours a day, seven days a week.” Middleton then explained that the rest of the ambulance service is always a backup for a second ambulance when needed. 

 The conclusion, Metcalfe County could not afford an ambulance service on its own, without the partnership agreement with Barren County. Bragg explained that the money reserved for the ambulance payment is eventually going to be gone, and Middleton expressed that Barren and Hart Counties are experiencing the same problems. 

 Middleton presented an example of upgrading cardiac monitors, which are $65,000 each, but the service purchases 25, and that enables a discount to $51,000 each, adding, “There is nothing about EMS that is becoming cheaper to operate.”

 Workforce Development 

Next was Jon Sowards with the BRADD South Central Workforce Development Board. The board serves 10 counties and receives federal funds under the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA). 

 “Our mission is to put people to work,” said Sowder, stating that they have staff in the schools and jails, and help military veterans and legal immigrants find work. Each Judge/Executive and magistrates must agree to join a 10-county Interlocal agreement. No copies were available for discussion, so the vote on the Interlocal agreement will be held at the next meeting. 

 Animal Shelter 

The Metcalfe County Animal Shelter veterinarian, Dr. David Lafever, approached the fiscal court with a request to raise the annual funds for the shelter. “I hired a $7,500 part-time help. And everything else has gone up, the insurance, the electricity, all my drugs, all the equipment I use.” 

 “If I took a 50-pound dog, we spayed the dog, we dewormed it, we de-flea and tick it…comes in there as $320,” explained Lafever. The adoption fee is only $75. 

 Currently, the shelter receives $30,000 annually, divided into 12 monthly payments, and Dr. Lafever requested that it be increased by $15,000 for an annual total of $45,000.  

 Judge Wilson replied, “We will be having a budget workshop, and that will be discussed at that time, and then we’ll let you know.”  

 The workshop was held on Friday, April 24th 

 The court received two estimates for the replacement crumb rubber for a FEMA project. The rubber chips go in under the playground equipment at the Sulphur Well Park. One was for brown colored chips, and the other listed no color and was $2,000 cheaper. The motion to approve the purchase of no color chips was made and approved for $4,800. 

 Another bid was received for the road department truck from Enterprise Commercial Truck in Indianapolis, Indiana. They bid on two 550 heavy-duty, diesel 2021 Ford trucks with low mileage. One for $54,698 and the second for $55,398. They already had the dump beds on them.  

 The magistrates considered the other two bids along with this one. The motion to accept the Enterprise bid was made by Bragg, seconded by Hawkins, and approved.  

 The 2nd reading and adoption of the amended Ordinance # 830-17-0199 establishing a permit process for the licensing of solid waste collectors and haulers within Metcalfe County was approved unanimously. 

 A Resolution for County Road Aid Cooperative Program in the amount of $972,483.96 from the Transportation Cabinet was approved. 

 A short closed session for litigation under KRS 61.810(1)(c) was held, but upon return, no action was taken. 

 The March 2026 financial statement was approved, followed by the quarterly statement, which was also approved.  

 The budget transfers and interfund transfers included the purchase of the jailer’s vehicle for $39,585 and were approved. 

 The claims included the jail payment of $28,035 and Pyles Demolition Recycling payment of $13,140, which was for the 25 dumpsters during clean-up week. The city will reimburse the county for its part, and the metal collected will be sold to offset a little of the cost. The claims were approved. 

 As usual, the DES, Recycling, and Road Department reports were included in the packets for review. 

 Other Business 

Judge Wilson received a quote from Stevie Page (and crew) to pressure wash the sidewalks and historic courthouse foundation for $5,200. After discussion, the amount was approved, and bids will be taken for this in the future. 

 There were no other items, and the meeting adjourned.