Roads are Main Topic

By PJ Martin

Editor

The Herald-News

 

The Metcalfe County fiscal court met on Thursday, March 27^th, in what was considered a special called meeting due to the date change. All magistrates were in attendance.

The agenda was approved, and after a moment of review, the minutes from the March 11^th special called meeting were approved after motions by Magistrate Daniel Bragg and Magistrate Kevin Crain.

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Maintenance representative Blake Williams took the podium and presented the 2025-26 Rural Secondary Program allotment.

Every fiscal year, counties are allocated municipal road aid funds. These funds are to be used for the construction, reconstruction, and maintenance of county roads.

Williams presented the amount of the projected allotment as $1,178,207 plus carryover from FY 2024-25 of $124,431 for a total of $1,302,638 funds available. As a reference, Metcalfe County has over 400 miles of roadways.

Williams explained, “Item one is our routine maintenance and traffic on 111.44 miles of our rural secondary roads at $4,229 per mile. That is 40% of initial distribution $471,300.”

“Item two is our project, which is a continuation of the past 2 – 3 years to finish those roads out as resurfacing on 4.266 miles of KY-533 Breeding Road beginning at the intersection with KY-496, extending east to the East Fork of Little Barren Bridge (MP4.266) project cost is $713,517.”

“Item three is flex funds…the county you also service needs. That’s 10% of the initial distribution. That’s $117,821.”

Magistrate Ronnie Miller questioned the cost of $4,229 per mile for the 111.44 costing $471,300, to which Williams replied, “Yes, sir. Project costs increase every year.”

“I will say this is, of course…this is just the rural secondary items. We do have projects. The main problem here at KY-90 through Summer Shade, it is already up to the contract with a completion date of November… resurfacing an existing road,” added Williams.

Next to speak was IDA Board Chairperson Lisa Boswell, who was in attendance to request that the RDAAP funds be requested by the court and, once received, transferred to the IDA account. Treasurer / Fiscal Court Clerk Page Edwards stated that the fund amount is approximately $153,000.

Crain asked Boswell if the IDA Board had any plans for the funds use to which Boswell replied, “The idea board currently has a note that we need to get out from under so that we can move forward.”

The motion to approve the request for the RDAAP funds and the transfer of them to the IDA Board account was made by Miller, seconded by Bragg, and approved.

Next, Michelle Welsh took the podium to ask that the John Hurt Road be removed from the county road list.

Bragg exclaimed that it would affect others on that road and there are several property owners before reaching Welsh’s land. “I will never vote to landlock someone,” said Bragg.

“Change the request from the entire road to just the road where my property begins, the fence line,” said Welsh. Road Supervisor Chris Compton stated that measures two-tenths of the road at the end. Welsh was advised of the process, and a motion was made by Bragg and seconded by Magistrate Harvey Hawkins to begin the process to close the road at Welch’s property fence and the motion was approved.

The first of two short closed sessions began at 1:45 p.m. and upon the vote to return to open session, Bragg stated the magistrates approved for Judge/Executive Larry Wilson to represent the fiscal court in the litigation process.

After a brief discussion, the next fiscal court meeting was rescheduled to April 15^th at 9 a.m.

Next, Edwards explained that the proposed Budget for the FY25/26 Jail Fund is to be presented to the fiscal court by April 1^st, “…then it combines with the rest of the budget, which has to be proposed by May 1. So, this is just giving you something to work with. This is not set in stone. You can make changes.”

The FY25-26 jail budget proposal was approved.

The second short closed session was for the acquisition or sale of property. Upon return to open session, it was stated that the fiscal court is going to employ an appraiser to appraise the property that is being considered for purchase as required by statute.

The Budget and Interfund transfers were approved, as were the claims.

The DES, recycling, and road department reports were included in the magistrate’s folders for review.

With no other business, the meeting adjourned.