Data Center Moratorium Passed
(L-R): J/E Larry Wilson, County Attorney Sharon Howard, Magistrate Harvey Hawkins, and Magistrate Kevin Crain reviewing the claims before approval. Photo | PJ Martin
By PJ Martin
Editor, The Herald-News
The Metcalfe County fiscal court held its regular meeting on Thursday, July 23rd, 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.
Also, present were Lorrie Gilpin, Occupational Tax Administrator; Finance Officer Connie Taylor; Road Supervisor Chris Compton; Jailer Randal Shive; Trainee Megan England; and Herald-News reporter PJ Martin.
The first item heard was the second reading and adoption of Ordinance # 26-0709 Data Center Moratorium, and with no discussion, it was passed after motions by Crain and Bragg.
The second reading and adoption of the Grocery Store Guidelines, which were already passed and adopted by the Edmonton City Council, was next. The motion passed unanimously after motions by Bragg and Miller.
Resolution # 26-0723-1 to adopt a portion of Burdette Road up to the ‘Y’ was approved after motions by Bragg and Crain.
This was followed by Resolution # 26-0723-2 to close the end section equaling 0.21 mile of John Hurt Road, which was also approved with motions by Bragg and Hawkins.
The final Resolution # 26-0723-3 was to adopt Copas Ridge Road to the ‘Y’, after the residents requested and provided right-of-way to the county. The length of 0.15 mile was approved after motions by Miller and Bragg.
Next was a request from the Barren Metcalfe Drug Court asking for $11,000 of the Opioid Funds to cover Metcalfe Clients. Edwards explained further, “It would start next month. They have clients that have Life Skills in Barren County, but live in Metcalfe County.”
Edwards read the request, “Participants are required to participate in substance use disorder treatment based on the assessment conducted by the therapist. Then they get a treatment plan. They usually have two individual visits to life skills, and then if they need group counseling, individual counseling, or both. Additional services may be listed on their treatment plan, such as domestic violence, anger management, parenting, mental health treatment, or possible inpatient treatment.”
Also, the participants are required to get a job, and once they do, they no longer meet the free insurance option. Medicare and Medicaid will pay for the treatments.
This is an approved use of the opioid funds. The request was approved after motions by Bragg and Crain. Howard stated, “This is an incredibly important program.”
Edwards related, “I was contacted this morning by a sober living facility in Cumberland County. They have a five-region, or five-county area, Metcalfe County being one of them, and they are gonna come at our next fiscal court meeting and present what they do and ask for possible funding for that for the Metcalfe County residence.”
As asked for at the last meeting, Edwards presented the magistrates with a list of other counties’ approved holidays, and after a brief discussion, it was decided and approved to use the state’s schedule for Metcalfe.
A closed session pertaining to the sale or acquisition of real property of approximately 20 minutes was held, and upon return Judge Wilson announced, “We have decided, the magistrates and I, we’re going to bid on a little piece of property at the county lake… It’s about 11 acres, and we would go up to the appraised value on that tract.”
The motion was made to bid on the property by Bragg, seconded by Crain, and approved.
Financials
The one approved budget transfer was $8,349.61 from general to workmen’s compensation and $26,929.53 from general to motor vehicles.
There was one interfund transfer of $26,929.53 from the LGEA fund to the general fund. That was also approved.
There were no questions concerning the claims, and they were approved. Noteworthy claims were $23,355 to the jail plus $116.04 for emergency doctors, and $1,685.69 to TJ Samson. These amounts were all to cover Metcalfe prisoners at the jail.
Also, the Barren-Metcalfe Ambulance Service payment of $27,833.98 was made.
Other items
Howard advised Judge Wilson that they need to approve Megan England as a new hire. The motion was made and approved.
Judge Wilson asked Bragg the status of the stage, and he replied, “Concrete was supposed to be poured this week, but it rained, and I met with Luke Monday, and he’s got the measurements.”
The next meeting is scheduled for August 13, 2026, at 9 a.m.
