Road, Chamber, and FEMA Funds
Blake Williams of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet presented the rural secondary road program amounts. Photo | PJ Martin
By PJ Martin
Editor, The Herald-News
The Metcalfe County fiscal court met in regular session on Thursday, August 13, with all magistrates present. Prior to the meeting, a public hearing was called to receive comments from citizens on the closure of 0.21 of John Hurt Road. No comments were received, and the hearing closed.
Judge Larry Wilson confirmed a quorum was present and the minutes from the July 23rd meeting were approved.
The first item on the agenda was the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Fiscal Year 2627 Rural Secondary Program, and Blake Williams with KYTC addressed the court.
Williams stated, “The projected allotment this year is $858,847. We had a $18,357 carryover from last year. So, we have total funds available of $877,204.”
Item one is routine maintenance and traffic on 111.440 rural secondary road miles in the county. So, $3,082 a mile, the total is $343,500.”
“Item two is our project for this year, four miles of Kentucky 1243, Knob Lick Road, beginning at the intersection with US 68 (MP 0.000), extending north at the intersection with Kentucky 543 (MP 4.086). That project’s estimated cost is $447,819.”
“Item three is flex funds, which is 10% of the initial distribution. This year it’s $85,885.”
Edmonton Metcalfe Chamber of Commerce vice president Tareena Horton spoke to the court about chamber finances. Photo | PJ Martin
Chamber Of Commerce
Representing the Edmonton Metcalfe Chamber of Commerce was vice president Tareena Horton, who stated, “It’s a well-known fact that the Chamber of Commerce serves the county and the city to the highest levels. We handle all the festivals, all parades, and in the promotion of business and economics in the county… So why I’m coming here today is because we do receive $10,000 from the county for expenses, because we are a nonprofit… I have witnessed members of the chamber board dipping into their own pockets to provide the things that we need to provide for these festivals and events.”
Horton then stated, “I would like to ask for $30,000 for this year to fill our coffers and try to make a way to make us generate more income for ourselves plus be able to pay our director a livable wage.”
Judge Wilson proposed, “We raise the amount of our quarterly payments for the rest of 2026… See what the city gives, see where the chamber is in January… and then we can adjust…”
A motion was made by Magistrate Daniel Bragg to raise the quarterly contribution for the next two quarters to $10,000. The motion was seconded by Magistrate Kevin Crain, and approved.
The next item on the agenda was Jaxon’s Legacy Presentation, a sober living facility in Cumberland County that serves Metcalfe. They were not present, so they will be rescheduled.
FEMA Update
Next was an EUDS update from John Phelps. “Progress is being made on a little spreadsheet of some funds that can be moved over from the federal funds account. Those projects are completed.”
“In addition to that, the ice storm… everything as far as I know has been obligated on that. You guys had a lot of debris, receiving 96,000 dollars in the year-old’s cost. You figure time and the cost of cleaning up is about $16,000 or somewhere in that. So, 75% plus your 12% state reimbursement should be roughly at $96,000… You all can move that money immediately over to your revenue fund.”
John Phelps of EUDS Consulting gave an update on FEMA claims. Photo | PJ Martin
Phelps explained that the first disaster, #4860, was in February of 2025 and the state is working on that. “Due to the ice storm, due to the federal government shutdown, I mean everything came to a screeching halt, as far as working with FEMA.”
He explained that most of the FEMA disaster items are smaller items and that they had submitted a request to the state mitigation proposal for Sulphur WellsPark for erosion at the bridge and suggested large cement stackable blocks could be used to stop the erosion.
Bragg asked if Phelps could create a spreadsheet that shows the FEMA claim, location, lists what has been done, and the costs or reimbursements. Phelps replied that he could create a spreadsheet that would help explain.
Financials
Next, the FY 2025-2026 Treasurer’s Settlement, a yearly report, was reviewed and approved.
Resolution # 26-0723-3 to add a portion of the Copas Ridge Road to the county road maintenance list was heard. The motion to accept was made by Magistrate Ronnie Miller, seconded by Bragg, and approved.
The fiscal court went into closed session for approximately fifteen minutes for the sale or acquisition of real property. Upon return, Judge Wilson stated, “There was no action taken in closed session.”
The motion to approve the July financial statement was made by Bragg, seconded by Magistrate Harvey Hawkins, and approved. This was followed by approval of a budget transfer and two interfund transfers. The claims were also approved without any discussion.
The DES, recycling, and road department reports were received, and with no other business, the meeting was adjourned.
