Farmers’ Market Flourishes

By PJ Martin

Editor, The Herald-News

 

The Metcalfe County fiscal court held its regular meeting on Thursday, May 28, 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 Road Superintendent Chris Compton, Emergency Management Director Adam Bennett, Solid Waste Coordinator Kim Jandt, and reporting for the Herald-News, PJ Martin.

Prior to the fiscal court meeting, a public hearing was held for the purpose of obtaining citizens’ comments regarding the possible uses of the County Road Aid (CRA) and Local Government Economic Assistance (LGEA) Funds. No comments written or verbal were received, and the meeting was closed.

The regular fiscal court meeting was opened by Judge Wilson, who declared a quorum present, and the agenda was adopted after motions by Miller and Bragg.

Next was the approval of the minutes from the May 14^th regular meeting after motions by Hawkins and Crain.

Metcalfe County Farmers Market manager Vickie Harris was in attendance to discuss the annual donation to the farmers’ market. “It’s donation time again this year, and I have a few little numbers I want to throw out to give an impact of what all this does for us… We were able to put money back into the community through this program to the tune of about 40,000 extra dollars. Our total sales for the year were right at $100,000.”

“The senior program is finally up and running. There’s a little. Kentucky was a little slow getting some things done this year, so it went live last week.”

She related how important this market was to so many, especially with no grocery store in Edmonton. She also stated that she has been looking for a milk vendor, so milk would be available at the market. “But you know, we have bread, meat, I now have pork, beef, and chicken. All the fruits and vegetables you could want.”

Bragg asked about the vouchers.

Harris explained, “I actually have a coupon. That is worth $5. And one of the ways we realize whether they’re eligible or not and in need is through the senior voucher program that the Bowling Park participates in…they apply there, so they have to meet the criteria of 60 years old and financially. Then, Kentucky also has what’s called Kentucky Double Dollars…. we’ve been open one Friday with it, and I’m done well over halfway done with it…They have to be eligible for that.”

To show how important it is to some people, she related, “I had a lady who was in the hospital that didn’t get to apply. She stood at my table and cried the other day, because she didn’t get it.”

Bragg stated, “I’m making a motion to give them $2,000. It’s a good program. Not only does it give healthy food to people who might have trouble buying healthy food, if every dollar goes back to them, they get the county farmer… I make a motion to give them $2,000.”

Judge Wilson stated, “Motion by Daniel Bragg, seconded by Harvey Hawkins, to donate $2,000. Any discussions?”

There was no discussion, and the motion was approved unanimously. In previous years, the donation was only $1,000.

Although on the agenda, Harold Stilts was not in attendance; however, he had called Bragg and given him the Branstetter Park information. Bragg related what Stilts had said. “Some people had called him asking about getting playground equipment,” Bragg said he had asked him about the insurance and the liability involved, and found that it was covered by the county, which has had Branstetter Park leased since the term of Donnie Butler.

Bragg asked Stilts, “Come up with some prices and get some exact numbers and quotes and come back in two weeks.”

The bids opened at the last meeting were awarded. The crushed stone and gravel bid was awarded to both Burton Stone and Gaddy Shamrock, as both have products that the other does not.

Again, both were approved for asphalt-plant mix as Cleary’s Construction wasn’t able to take care of some current FEMA jobs, and Compton called Scotty’s Contracting, who was able to take care of them. Also, both have items that are cheaper than the other.

Contract patching was awarded to Scotty’s Contracting.

The fuel bid was awarded to Tri County Auto and Oil. The road oil bid was awarded to Hudson Material. The chip seal bid was awarded to Gaddy Shamrock. The consensus was that they did a much better job on the double chip seal work.

The bid for HVAC and maintenance at the Justice Center was awarded to Lyon’s Mechanical. The janitorial bid for both the Justice and Government buildings was awarded again to Wisdom Cleaning Services.

Next, the roads chosen to be chip-sealed were discussed. Compton read off the names of 4 roads, which were listed in FEMA projects for a total of 6.3 miles. The magistrates were in agreement with the list, and Bragg made a motion to let Chris Compton oversee the chip sealing of the roads. If need be, they can add to the list. The motion passed.

The 2^nd Reading and Adoption of the FY 26-27 Budget was next. The only change for the budget, which takes effect on July 1, 2026, was the increase to the Metcalfe County Animal Shelter. Per the state, if changed before this reading, the process must be started all over. The state was in agreement that this budget could be approved, and when it takes effect on July 1^st, then amend the amount for the shelter to the $43,200 a year.

The budget was approved.

The budget transfers, which were mostly small changes to level out the funds (done yearly), were approved. The interfund transfers were simple, with the FEMA monies transferred to the road fund, a small grant, and a regular transfer to the jail fund. The interfund transfers were approved.

The claims consisted of monthly bills, except for the $69,314 to the Barren River District Health Department for two quarters and the replacement heat and air unit for the Golden Years building. The claims were also approved.

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

The next meeting is scheduled for June 11, 2026, at 9 a.m.