Fiscal Court Meeting Search

Meeting of December 16, 2025

Breckinridge County Fiscal Court · Watch on YouTube ↗

Summary

The Breckinridge County Fiscal Court held its regular December meeting, approving routine business including minutes, transfers, claims, and several budget items for the county clerk, county court clerk staff, sheriff's office, and jail. The court also gave second reading and final passage to a controversial 365-day moratorium on data center construction and operation in the county, though the vote was not unanimous.

A major new proposal came from Tourism Director Ken Brockman, who pitched creating a county Tourism Commission funded by a 3% transient room tax on short-term rentals (hotels, campsites, Airbnbs) near Rough River Lake. The court approved the concept and directed the county attorney to draft an enabling ordinance.

The road department was largely absent due to a serious weekend accident involving a road foreman's truck; the court approved spending up to roughly $20,000 to buy him a replacement vehicle. Later, magistrates had a lengthy and contentious debate over whether to repair a broken paver (quoted at $17,000) or sell it along with an old roller through Purple Wave Auctions, ultimately voting to sell both with no reserve by the end of January, over some dissent about wasting a valuable piece of equipment.

Other business included approving two waterline licenses on Morris Newton Lane, a wine license for a Tick Ridge Road business, acceptance of Goodman Lane into the county road system after a long-delayed deed transfer, approval of a new high school dispatch co-op student position, and a 50/50 cost-share motion with the McDaniels Volunteer Fire Department for an audit (passed narrowly with two dissenting votes). The jailer was approved for a raise for an employee taking on additional transport duties, and the court approved purchase of a new sprayer rig for the road department.

The meeting closed with a proclamation for the Kentucky Bible Reading Marathon, discussion of a possible road-view committee inspection of Stockyard Lane, questions about restricted public access to Rough River Lake near the Hornback Mill extension, and holiday well-wishes. The next regular meeting was set for Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

Agenda (32)

  • 1:14

    Approval of minutes

    The court approved minutes of the November 17, 2025 meeting.

  • 1:42

    Transfers

    The court reviewed and approved several budget transfers, including funds for vehicle repairs related to an illegal dump grant.

  • 2:31

    Claims

    The court discussed high repair costs on county vehicles, including a $17,000 transmission repair and questioned labor charges, before approving claims.

  • 5:50

    Second reading of data center moratorium ordinance

    The court held second reading and approved Ordinance 2025-117A imposing a 365-day moratorium on data center construction and operation in the county.

  • 7:42

    Road department report and truck accident

    With both road foremen absent, the judge reported that one foreman was seriously injured in a weekend accident that totaled his county truck; the court discussed replacing the vehicle.

  • 11:26

    County clerk 2026 budget

    The county clerk's 2026 budget was reviewed as largely unchanged from last year and approved.

  • 12:19

    County court clerk deputies and assistants salaries

    The clerk explained hiring an additional employee due to accrued leave among long-tenured staff; salaries were approved.

  • 13:24

    Sheriff's 2025 budget amendment

    The sheriff explained the amendment cleaned up line items without changing the overall budget total; it was approved.

  • 14:09

    Sheriff's 2026 budget

    The sheriff discussed rising vehicle costs, deer strikes, and reliance on excess fees and state advancements to fund operations; the budget was approved.

  • 22:45

    Sheriff deputies and assistants salary schedule

    The sheriff noted salaries have been raised to stay competitive with neighboring counties; the schedule was approved.

  • 23:32

    Sheriff state advancement bond

    The court approved a bond required to support the sheriff's state advancement.

  • 24:10

    Sheriff state advancement of $300,000

    The court approved the annual $300,000 state advancement to the sheriff's office, which is typically repaid via excess fees later in the year.

  • 25:49

    Tourism Commission proposal

    Tourism Director Ken Brockman proposed creating a county Tourism Commission funded by a 3% transient room tax on short-term rentals to boost tourism funding without burdening taxpayers directly.

  • 39:46

    Coroner, county attorney, and master salaries

    The county attorney requested a $5,000 salary increase, but since the increase can only be set once every four years and wasn't budgeted, the court took no action and deferred to a future meeting.

  • 42:00

    Waterline license - 618 Morris Newton Lane

    The court approved a waterline license for the property.

  • 42:31

    Waterline license - 450 Morris Newton Lane

    A second waterline license for a related family property was approved.

  • 43:13

    Wine license - 900 Tick Ridge Road

    The court approved a wine license for a business on Tick Ridge Road.

  • 44:08

    Sheriff's FY2024 audit

    The audit showed no instances of noncompliance; the court voted to accept it.

  • 44:42

    Acceptance of Goodman Lane into county maintenance system

    After years of delay in receiving the deed, the court formally accepted Goodman Lane into the county road maintenance system.

  • 46:26

    Detention center surplus

    The court approved surplusing 15 slightly used or non-working items from the detention center.

  • 47:03

    Dispatch co-op student program

    A proposal to bring a high school co-op student to assist dispatch with administrative and planning tasks was discussed and approved, including retroactive contract labor pay.

  • 54:23

    McDaniels Volunteer Fire Department audit cost-share

    The court discussed and approved splitting a roughly $1,284 audit cost 50/50 with the fire department, contingent on the department paying its share.

  • 56:22

    Bible Reading Marathon proclamation

    The judge signed a proclamation encouraging citizens to join the Kentucky 120 Bible Reading Marathon in January 2026, marking its 10th year in the county.

  • 58:23

    Reports: animal shelter, solid waste, nuisance complaints

    The court acknowledged receipt of the animal shelter and solid waste reports and discussed unresolved nuisance complaints and illegal dumping sites around the county.

  • 1:00:35

    Jailer's report and staffing

    The jailer discussed inmate population trends, state inmate shortages, and program credit issues affecting jail bed usage.

  • 1:04:56

    Jail staff raise for expanded duties

    The jailer proposed and the court approved a $1.50/hour raise for an employee (Samantha) taking on additional transport responsibilities instead of hiring a replacement for a retiring captain.

  • 1:08:36

    Sprayer and roller equipment purchase discussion

    The road department discussed quotes for a new spray rig with boom capability and ultimately selected a Mid South unit for $8,150.

  • 1:13:11

    Paver and roller disposition

    After extensive debate about the value and utility of the county's aging paver and roller, the court voted to sell both through Purple Wave Auctions with no reserve by the end of January.

  • 1:29:13

    Stockyard Lane road view request

    A resident requested the road committee evaluate a road near the former stockyards for potential county acceptance and improvement standards.

  • 1:32:51

    Road department Christmas breakfast funding

    Magistrates discussed whether county funds could legally support a road department Christmas breakfast, concluding they could not and offering to personally contribute.

  • 1:35:04

    Hornback Mill extension public lake access

    A magistrate raised concerns about a property owner restricting public access to Rough River Lake via a road extension near Hornback Mill, prompting discussion of county maintenance responsibility.

  • 1:38:16

    Next meeting announcement and adjournment

    The judge announced the next regular meeting for Tuesday, January 20, 2026, and the court adjourned.

Motions & votes (27)

  • 1:20

    passedApprove minutes of the November 17, 2025 meeting

    Moved by Armstrong · unanimous

  • 1:48

    passedApprove budget transfers

    Moved by Moore · unanimous

  • 2:36

    passedApprove claims

    unanimous

  • 7:11

    passedApprove second reading of Ordinance 2025-117A imposing a data center moratorium

    Moved by Armstrong · seconded by Henning · 5-2, Albright and Moore opposed

  • 9:27

    passedSpend up to approximately $20,000 to purchase a replacement vehicle for the jail after a foreman's truck accident

    seconded by Greenwell · unanimous

  • 12:02

    passedApprove county clerk's 2026 budget

    Moved by Greenwell · seconded by Moore · unanimous

  • 13:04

    passedApprove county court clerk deputies and assistants salaries for 2026

    Moved by Beavenon · seconded by Armstrong · unanimous

  • 13:51

    passedApprove sheriff's 2025 amended budget

    seconded by Armstrong · unanimous

  • 22:20

    passedApprove sheriff's 2026 budget

    seconded by Armstrong · unanimous

  • 23:13

    passedApprove sheriff deputies and assistants salary schedule

    Moved by Greenwell · seconded by Armstrong · unanimous

  • 23:50

    passedApprove sheriff's state advancement bond

    Moved by Armstrong · seconded by Henning · unanimous

  • 24:49

    passedApprove sheriff's state advancement of $300,000

    Moved by Albright · seconded by Greenwell · unanimous

  • 34:40

    passedCreate a Tourism Commission with a 3% transient room tax and direct county attorney to draft enabling ordinance

    unanimous

  • 41:53

    tabledTake no action on coroner, county attorney, and master salary increases this meeting, deferring to a future meeting

  • 42:12

    passedApprove waterline license for 618 Morris Newton Lane

    Moved by Armstrong · seconded by Beavenon · unanimous

  • 42:49

    passedApprove waterline license for 450 Morris Newton Lane

    Moved by Greenwell · seconded by Armstrong · unanimous

  • 43:12

    passedApprove wine license for 900 Tick Ridge Road

    Moved by Armstrong · seconded by Beavenon · unanimous

  • 44:24

    passedAccept sheriff's fiscal year 2024 audit

    Moved by Greenwell · seconded by Henning · unanimous

  • 45:02

    passedAccept Goodman Lane into the county road maintenance system

    seconded by Albright · unanimous

  • 46:47

    passedApprove detention center surplus items

    Moved by Greenwell · seconded by Armstrong · unanimous

  • 52:11

    passedApprove retroactive contract labor pay of $14/hour for dispatch co-op student Helena Austin, and authorize signing of related contract

    seconded by Greenwell · unanimous

  • 55:50

    passedApprove paying $642.44 for McDaniels VFD audit, with fire department paying matching $642.44 share

    Moved by Beavenon · seconded by Greenwell · 5-2, Lucas and Moore opposed

  • 1:08:10

    passedApprove $1.50/hour raise for jail employee Samantha taking on additional transport duties

    Moved by Armstrong · seconded by Albright · unanimous

  • 1:12:41

    passedApprove purchase of sprayer rig from Mid South for $8,150

    seconded by Albright · unanimous

  • 1:27:53

    passedSell the county's paver and roller through Purple Wave Auctions with no reserve by the end of January

    seconded by Henning · 5-2, Moore and Albright opposed

  • 1:32:03

    unclearHave the road view committee inspect Stockyard Lane and report back

  • 1:38:41

    passedAdjourn the meeting

    unanimous

Transcript (81 segments)

  • 0:00

    Let's all stand for the pledge of prayer.I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.Okay. This morning, I've asked Mr. Ian Brockman if he would lead us in prayer this morning.Good morning, Lord. We're so thankful to be here this morning to exercise the privileges and the rights that you've given us when we are citizens of this great country, this great county. Lord, we're so thankful for the blessings that you've given us. Lord, be with every one of us this morning as we go about uh the business that we've got ahead of us. And Father, may all that we do be pleasing in your sight. Lord, bless this county and bless this people. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.Thank you, Okay, at this time I'll call the order and have a roll call, please.Square Armstrong, Square Ev Greenwell, Judge Lucas, Square Alberide, Square Moore, Square Hy.Okay, let everyone present. The next item of business is approval of minutes

  • 1:14

    of the November 17th, 2025 meeting. I'll entertain a motion to approve those minutes. I'll move to Armstrong. Is there a second?Second.Square. Any questions?Hearing none. Take a vote, please.Square Armstrong. Square Bevon.Square Greenwell. Yes. Judge Lucas. Square Albright. Square Moore. Yes. Square Henning.Yes. Yes. The minutes are approved. Next item is the transfers. And I'll entertain a motion to approve transfers.I'll make a motion.Motion. Square Mo. Is there a second?Second.Second. All right. Any questions? Uh the transfer 2839.998 what uh from illegal dump grant.Yes repairs.Okay.On 2838 is fromthe vehicle for we did repairs. Okay.For maintenancevehiclefrom Justin.Mhm.Okay.Okay. Any other questions hearing? None. Take up please.Square Bevon. Yes. Square Greenwell. Yes.Judge Lucas. Square Albbright.Square Moore. Square Henning.Yes.Square Armstrong.

  • 2:29

    Yes.Okay. Chancellor's approved. Next item claims. I'll entertain a motion to approve claims.I move. Somotion was authorizard first. Any other questions or discussion?Did it cost that much uh for those new all-in repairs?Yep. $17,000 on the one. And basically, I was going to bring it up later on, but basically the same thing happened to the other one we took over to Indiana. $4,800. It was $13,39 labor on that one tractor over in Owensboro. I talked to him and not a thing I could get done, but it was ridiculous.Do we know what happened to that?Pardon me.We know what caused that problem.I don't know what caused it, but it was in a transmission on one of the the one I think in a rock board over Indiana was just a little clip had come off one of the shafts inside the transmission. Of course, you're going to tear the whole the tractor apart. But there's no way it could have took that much time to take

  • 3:41

    that factor apart. No. 76 hours at 1770 an hour is what they charge us. Almost $77.You have an itemized.No. Well, I I've got an Holland did.Yeah. Theagent did not. Did they?Well, they they finally sent me one, but it just showed his time that he was involved.I know. I know. That's what I said.I don't know whatYeah, I wouldn't know how to either, but I thought that was an awful lot. The difference on it when I was going by the one tractor and they had to do to get into transport mission. It was $4,800.Yeah. And I still don't understand that either operator. Like I said, I talked to him and he got kind of aggravated that I was questioning him, but all they did was give a lump sum of the $13,39 labor. And I said, I want to know how many hours they worked on so forth. And that's when he sent me back this little sheet that showed Warren was the guy that worked on it. Showed different times that he supposedly worked on it. But what do you do? You know,that's exactly what I told you.Worst thing about it is about

  • 4:55

    everybody's same mile. I guessit's just a lot of hours. Sounds to me likeWell, me too. 77 hours. 76.7 actually.110 an hour.Yeah. 110 versus 1070.Now that's the difference on how can it be that much different on the one labor rate.I'd say one was probably actually charging by what they what time it actually took the other one by.Yep. Yeah. You probably right at book price. Yeah. Anyway, we learned a a hard lesson on that. Okay. Any other questions? Hearing none, take a look.Square Greenwell,yes.Judge Lucas,yes.Square Albbright, yes.Square Moore, yes.Square Henning,yes.Square Armstrong, yes.Square Bon,yes.Okay. Next item is the only item on old business and that's second reading of ordinance number 2025-117A and that's the the AI data data center moratorum. You want to read that? an ordinance imposing a 365day moratorum on the construction, development, and operation of data centers of any size and all data storage facilities within the jurisdiction of Breenriidge County Fiscal Court. Whereas the Comwalth of

  • 6:09

    Kentucky has experienced an increased interest in the development of data centers within its jurisdiction and whereas Breenriidge County could serve as an optimal location for the development of data centers within its jurisdiction. And whereas data centers have a significant impact on infrastructure, energy consumption, land use, and environmental sustainability. And whereas current ordinances and regulations in Breenriidge County may not adequately address the demands, unique characteristics, and potential cumulative effects of data centers. And whereas the Breenriidge County Fiscal Court deems it necessary to evaluate existing policies, infrastructure capacity, and long-term planning objectives regarding data centers. And whereas Breenidge County Fiscal Court has the power to impose a temporary moratoria to protect the public health, safety and welfare of its residents and visitors. Um now therefore be it ordained as follows. Section one moratorum imposed section two purpose and section three effective date.Okay. This now obtain a motion to approve second reading of ordinance number 2025-117A and that's the data center moratorum. I'll move so motion by squire arms. Is there a second?Second.Second. Square Henning. Any questions?

  • 7:23

    Hearing none. Take please.Square Alber.No.Square Moore.No.Square Henning.Yes.Square Armstrong.Yes.Square Beaven.Yes.Square Greenwell.Yes.Judge Lucas.Yes.Okay. Second reading is approved. Next item is the road for report. First item, new business, road forms report. And neither one of them are here this morning. They're actually involved in some I talked to Jeff this while ago and as you all know he was involved in a pretty major accident over the weekend and Friday night in fact and he's he's okay but he's awfully sore. He's back to work today but he's awfully awfully sore but uh we we got to report into our insurance and so forth. I I think at this time uh his truck is definitely total and the vehicle other vehicle is definitely total too. I mean, it's both of them are lucky to walk. He walked away. She didn't walk away. She was carried away. But I think she's going to be okay. But anyway, he's been on the internet looking for another vehicle. And he found one this morning. He told me a 2017 Ford uh in Taylor'sville, Kentucky. It's a personal vehicle. It's not at a dealer. And they're asking like 15,500 for it. It's gotund and something,000 miles on it, but that's

  • 8:38

    that I don't think that's a big deal, you know. is I assume it you said the F250it is yeah same thing basically the same thing he had same size and so forward too so it's a big bigger uh if he hadn't been if he had been a small he been in my truck it probably killed him you know a truck about the size of mine it would probably killedwhen did this happenFriday night about 6:00 little 46 up at Buffer Hob road that straight stretch and there were some other things involved on the lady that hit him but I I thought we probably need to go ahead and If it's a deal, we probably need to if it's something we think we're interested in, probably need to go ahead andI think so long.No, no, we can probably get it for a little less. That's the asking price.What What was the price?155.Why don't we just make a motion to to spend up to 20 on a on a vehicle for jail?Does it have to be an exact?Yeah,I think we can approve. I think we can prove up to an amount. Uhthat way that would work out. I mean, he's supposed to call me back. The guy supposed to call me back after lunch. I told him we we discussed it here at this meeting. Uh, and I think I think that's our best bet, guys.We have full coverage on vehicles.Yes.