Criteria, Finances, and Planning

By PJ Martin

Editor, The Herald-News

 

The Metcalfe County fiscal court held its regular meeting on Thursday, July 9, with the following in attendance: Judge/Executive Larry Wilson, Magistrates Ronnie Miller, Daniel Bragg, Harvey Hawkins, and Kevin Crain, County Attorney Sharon Howard, and Treasurer/Court Clerk Page Edwards.

Others in attendance were Financial Officer Connie Taylor, Trainee Megan England, Occupational Tax Administrator Lorrie Gilpin, Road Superintendent Chris Compton, Sheriff Lonnie Hodges, Emergency Management Director Adam Bennett, Solid Waste Coordinator Kim Jandt, and PJ Martin, reporting for the Herald-News.

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

The minutes from the June 25^th regular meeting were approved after motions by Crain and Miller.

The Metcalfe County Sheriff’s tax settlement was presented by Sheriff’s Office Manager Lynn Lunz, who explained, “Here, you’ll find the state and county settlements. Of course, that’s all contingent with the audit. We just had to get this approved through you all so we can get ready to start collecting taxes again in November.”

The sheriff’s tax settlement was approved.

“Next would be approval of the first reading of Ordinance number 26-0709, Data Center Moratorium,” stated Judge Wilson. The ordinance was approved with motions by Crain and Hawkins.

The next item was a request to withdraw funds from the sale of the Metcalfe County Health Care. Judge Wilson referred to Edwards for the reason. “This time of year, we always run low, because we have a building payment. We have our workers’ comp payment due. We’ve got several large payments, and it runs us a little short… I would like to have $500,000.”

Bragg questioned, “Do you have a total?”

Edwards responded with amounts to be paid, workers compensation $60,000, contribution to the PVA around $22,000, the building payment interest $50,000 or $60,000, at least $50,000, possibly $60,000 to the jail fund, “And that’ll get us through at least one month, maybe two, depending on, because we’ll get a bill this month that’s for June that will still be the old $45 per inmate per day, but the next one will be the $50 per inmate per day fee.”

Bragg, after doing some calculations, made a suggestion of $250,000. Crain made the motion to transfer $250,000, and Bragg seconded the motion, which was approved.

Next, Judge Wilson stated that he had received the grocery incentive criteria late the previous day and was leaving the room to make copies. But first, he introduced resident Joe Walsh and asked him if he would explain his ideas about the need for a planning commission again.

Walsh gave a recap of his ideas from the last meeting. Farms are being auctioned and sold, but are being chopped into small lots for housing. No one is looking at the infrastructure needed, such as water, electricity, road management, and all those things, which may not be available for those lots. He also noted the chances of farmland being used by solar plants and data facilities. He suggested that the county create a planning commission that could research and advise the fiscal court about these matters. The fiscal court would appoint members to the commission, which would have no powers; they would only advise the court on matters concerning the county. He also referenced KRS 100, which does mention zoning, which no one was in favor of.

Judge Wilson stated, “We’ve got a good community here. It’s quiet, it’s peaceful. And we can stick our heads in the sand and say all this stuff, IT, all that stuff is not gonna come. It’s coming. It’s coming, it’s coming, and whether we like it or not… What I like about the board is the board would only recommend. Correct. The court would actually do the deciding and the voting. And if we don’t start putting up some walls around things now, we’re gonna wait till it’s too late… And I personally, I don’t want zoning, but we need to be set up if we have to keep some things happening.”

“I appreciate you coming back,” said Judge Wilson to Walsh.

Judge Wilson passed out copies of the grocery incentive criteria to the magistrates and welcomed Matt Pedigo of BRADD to the podium to answer any questions.

The 3-page document includes the overview, selection process, and criteria that must be met. The evaluation lists 5 items that must be met with point values. The requirements list a continuous business operation for a minimum of 5 years. Unauthorized closure triggers the immediate grand clawback provision.

Bragg asked Pedigo, “What’s the schedule for the callbacks are? 25% to 20% a year, or how’s the callback?… Is it 100%? So, if they’re not open five years, they owe 100% of this $1.25 billion back, or where is it outlined?”

“I could check on that for you. My understanding is it would be for whatever they’ve been given at that point,” answered Pedigo.

“And where does it state in here where the county and the city will decide the recipient?” asked Bragg.

“They had asked that the grant form a committee that would include local citizens as well as some of our folks to choose the proposals,” replied Pedigo, adding, “The committee would make the recommendation, and the city and the county would ratify the proposal.”

Bragg explained, “I just would like to have an amendment clarifying the percentage that they pay back, and if it’s 100 percent right that is probably already, I think it has to be prorated per year if I understood the KRS correctly…I’m making a motion to approve pending an amendment clarifying the grant claw back.”

Crain seconded Braggs’ motion with the amendment, and the motion passed.

 

Other Items

The June 2026 financial statement was approved, and so was the quarterly financial statement.

The one budget transfer was $2,000 to the Soil and Water Conservation Program Support, which was approved, followed by the one interfund transfer of a $777.81 state grant to the jail fund, which was also approved.

There was nothing unusual about the claims, which were approved with no discussion.

Judge Wilson introduced Megan England: “She’s a new employee. She’s going to take Connie’s place as finance officer. Connie will take Paige’s place as treasurer.” Adding that Megan will be training for a few months and then Connie will get trained before Paige retires on October 1.

Attorney Howard stated, “I have an assistant with me today, Broady Hurt. He is helping me this summer. He’s in college, and I guess contemplating law school.”

There was no other business, and the meeting was adjourned.

The next meeting is scheduled for July 23, 2026, at 9 a.m.