News

Mar 01, 2024

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At the Spencer County Fiscal Court meeting on July 3, magistrates voted on putting new countertops inside the Spencer County Clerk’s office. During the pandemic, plexiglass partitions were installed

At the Spencer County Fiscal Court meeting on July 3, magistrates voted on putting new countertops inside the Spencer County Clerk’s office.

During the pandemic, plexiglass partitions were installed on the counter where transactions with customers take place, and since they have been taken down, there are holes throughout. Also, a portion at the end has broken off, and his being held on with packing tape. Also, it was requested that the new countertop be extended from 18 inches deep to 24 inches deep.

Along with those repairs, Clerk Lynn Hesselbrock requested more storage cabinet space in the back room, and to shore up two back doors into her office in the courthouse.

After some discussions, the court voted unanimously to award the bid for all of the above to Struck, at the cost of $5,271.

The County Clerk also provided the court with a quote to have a new video surveillance service installed at the election storage facility. The legislature passed a new “unfunded mandate” that requires all Kentucky County Clerk offices to have cameras in place “to keep 30 days of coverage, with 60 days of accessibility, and must download that 30 days of footage on a separate hard drive for 22 months.” Another requirement is that the system must be accessible/controlled from a desktop in the office.

The current system in place is not available for download in the office, and each time an Open Records Request comes in demanding video footage, Hesselbrock has to hire a tech to come to find/download that footage.

The quote submitted by a local company that already takes care of the other camera equipment in the courthouse came to a total of $8,792.33.

The court asked that some other quotes be acquired just to see if this cost is competitive, and bring them back to the next scheduled meeting.

Greater Louisville Inc. — Economic Development Partnership

At a previous meeting, Greater Louisville Inc. asked the court to have the county become part of a large group of counties to have promoted to new businesses looking to move into the area. With an annual membership fee of $1,935, Spencer County would be part of a 10-county movement for growth.

The court voted unanimously to join into the coalition for a 1-year term, with Magistrate Danny Pharris stating that in his opinion, “If they just bring us one big opportunity, we’ll more than cover the cost.”

Road Department New Hire

The court unanimously voted for the new hire of Justin Curtsinger for a full-time position at $17 per hour.

Road Department Kubota Skid Steer Warranty/Buckets

The court unanimously voted to purchase a 4-year warranty for the newly purchased Skid Steer at a cost of $2,200, and to purchase a new gravel bucket for the Skid Steer at a cost of $5,695.

Road Paving

Spencer County Judge Executive Scott Travis informed the court that an additional $143,021 in Flex Funding has become available, allowing for repairs to be made to seven more county roads, adding to the previously approved six roads already in progress. The court voted unanimously to accept the new funding.

EMS Third Truck Proposal

Emergency Management Services Chief Chris Limpp addressed the court on his desire to start the process of having a third staffed ambulance in the county. His department has four ambulances, but there is only staff for the two 24-Hour shifts that is currently being utilized, with Limpp and Deputy Chief Robert Klinglesmith picking up the needed slack during regular business hours.

The additional ambulances are used as backups if case one has an issue, such as a flat tire or needs a repair.

What Limpp was requesting was to have a third staffed ambulance for a 12-hour shift to help fill in the gaps during unknown peak periods.

The cost to the county would be an estimated $325,000, and is not in the current budget. With the growth in the county, comes the growth of additional runs by EMS. Limpp said that there have been 1,221 runs so far this year, plus undocumented assists, with many events having to be covered by surrounding counties.

After some discussion, the court voted unanimously to have EMS do more research into the matter and return the findings back to a future meeting.

EMS New Hire

The court voted unanimously to move current EMS employee Matt Jackson from a part-time paramedic to a full-time paramedic at a pay rate of $17.25 per hour.

Solid Waste Ordinance

Magistrate Jim Travis supplied the court with an updated Solid Waste Ordinance that the Solid Waste Committee has been working on with the help of KIPDA. The original ordinance was created in 1991, with an updated version being presented to the previous court in 2021. The motion to adopt that version did not pass because of some the open burning laws that was in the language.

The newest version still has that fire code language, but more clearly defines the percentages of franchising fees that come back to the county from garbage collection, and the penalties and fines that come from illegal burning.

“It’s a good upgrade from what we had, and I think we need it,” said Travis.

The magistrates will be looking over the new ordinance for any questions or changes, and it will on the agenda for a future meeting.

Deerwood Subdivision Water Main Extension

The North Nelson County Water department requested some financial assistance from Spencer County to help pay for a new fire plug that they are wanting to put in the Cox’s Creek area, between the old and new sections of Deerwood Subdivision.

The request is for $8,700, and after some discussion, the motion to approve the water hookup was passed 5-1, with J. Travis casting the lone “No” vote.

In his opinion, Travis said that “This is their baby, let them have it. Spencer County shouldn’t be responsible.”

Magistrate Mike Stump disagreed, saying “We have an opportunity to help those residents have better fire safety.”