Fiscal Court Proclaims Homemakers and 4-H weeks and Look at Jailer’s Need for Vehicles

 

 

Lynn Bledsoe

Gimlet Managing Editor

 

The Edmonson County Fiscal Court held its regular meeting on Oct. 14, 2025. All magistrates were present.

Judge Executive Scott Lindsey read the proclamation for the Homemakers Week, October 12-18, 2025, and National 4-H week, October 5-11, 2025. The Edmonson County Homemakers completed more than 11,500 hours of volunteer service in 2024.

The Fiscal Court then heard from Deputy Jailer Ray Willhite who gave an informative speech about Jailer Todd Vincent’s fiscal responsibility. Vincent in two years has been able to stay under budget in FY 2025 $97,000, this year’s first quarter is under $25,000. The Jailers department currently has 8 vehicles listed in the surplus. Willhite asked for the Department to be able to purchase two new and one used vehicle with the Jailer’s department budget. This will leave the 2017 Explorer with 80,000 miles and the police package to be able to move to the sheriff’s department to replace one of theirs that has 190,000 miles. After purchases this could still leave the Jailer’s department $15,000 under budget. Willhite expressed this would leave the Jailer’s department in great shape with vehicles for several years. The Jailer’s department uses 5 vehicles regularly. Willhite went on to explain out of the Jailer’s $600,000 yearly budget they pay for housing and any medical expenses costing on an average of $400,000. The Fiscal Court questioned the need for the vehicles and the need to stay under budget in the case of a hefty unforeseen inmate’s medical expense. County Treasurer Tammi Willhite pointed out that the last few years the county has purchased used equipment, that then became costly to repair.  The Fiscal Court did finally approve of the purchase of one new vehicle for the Jailer’s department.

In the Road Report Joe Montgomery stated the department was trying to get another round of mowing in before the season ends. There are still issues with the mow trim machine. The department is working on tile installations.

In the Sheriff’s report, Sheriff James Vincent reported 482 calls to service in Sept.

Deputy Ray Willhite reported there are 13 inmates in Hart County Jail.

 

 

Parks and Rec. Director Cody Stewart reported that forms for Little League Basketball have gone out and they are taking applications now. Oct. 31 is Halloween on the Square and anyone who wants to set up can contact him.

Bids for Pickle ball Courts were opened. The bids ranged from $142,776 to $62,200 for four courts.

Bids were opened for the repair of the Sunfish-Roundhill Road. The bids ran from $915,000 to $498,793. Decisions for both bids will be made at the next Fiscal Court meeting.

The Fiscal Court approved the following: Sheriff’s bond # 4636446 increase rider effective 11/1/2025, Treasurer’s Sept. monthly Settlement report, the Judge’s Quarterly Financial Statement report, to remove 2003 Chevy Trailblazer from the surplus list and place it back into the counties inventory, to pay MasterCard credit card bill due 10/21/2025.

The Fiscal Court discussed Resolution EC25-28, Inter-local Agreement with the City of Brownsville for Oak Hill Road repairs. The cost will be $9,000 and will be split between the City and Edmonson County Fiscal Court. The Fiscal Court decided to look at the cost of resurfacing the area and not just patching the potholes.

Fiscal Court approved the following pending final audit; Sheriff’s Sept. monthly fee report, Sheriff’s Close Out report, County Clerk’s Sept. MAVA tax collection report, County Clerk’s Sept. Deed transfer tax report, County Clerk’s Sept. Excess Fee report and County Clerk’s Sept. Delinquent Tax collection report, October’s Cash Transfers, Jailer’s Quarterly report and approved the Commonwealth of Kentucky FEMADR4864 Public Assistance Grant. This grant is for the April flooding, for the road repairs reimbursement.

The Special Purpose Vehicle subject was brought up again. The Fiscal Court has held its stance to stay opted out to allow these vehicles except in the case of a farmer or volunteer fire departments, with the orange triangle sign displayed.

In the Judge’s updates the regional drivers license was discussed. The KY State Legislature is in talks now about how to handle the situation, but no decision has been made.

The Fiscal Court acknowledged Dog Control Sept. CAD report, BGWC Sept. Shelter Director’s report, and Edmonson County Schools 2025 Tax Rate.

The Fiscal Court also acknowledged County Clerk’s Sept. Document Storage Fees report pending final audit.

The next Fiscal Court meeting will be Oct. 27, 2025, at 4:00pm in the upstairs courtroom.