Meeting of July 22, 2025
Breckinridge County Fiscal Court - 7/21/25 · Watch on YouTube ↗
Summary
Breckinridge County Fiscal Court — July 21, 2025
The court approved routine business including the June minutes, fund transfers, and claims (with an added bucket-truck repair claim). Discussion touched on pool maintenance costs, a spay/neuter partnership with Grayson and Butler counties, and reimbursements for pool supplies.
The biggest debate of the day was the second reading of an ordinance that would have allowed "street legal special purpose vehicles" (UTVs/ATVs) on county roads at speeds up to 55 mph. A resident spoke at length against it, citing safety concerns, manufacturer warnings against paved-road use, and recent ATV/UTV deaths in Kentucky. Several magistrates agreed the county's roads are too narrow and unsafe for 55 mph traffic, and after extended discussion the ordinance failed on a vote.
The court heard the road foreman's report on ongoing blacktop work, soft-spot dig-outs, and staffing challenges, and discussed possibly contracting out patchwork and buying a used paver/roller. After lengthy disagreement, the court voted to authorize selling the county's non-functioning paper machine (pending confirmation from a state contact) via an online auction, with a target sale by September 1. Jenny Ham (Health Department) reported that the jail's opioid-treatment vendor (Step Works) has become too costly and the county will stop funding it after June, exploring a cheaper film-based medication alternative instead.
The court gave initial approval to allow (but not require) licensed residential building-code inspections for new construction, to help homeowners qualify for builder's insurance. It also approved resolutions accepting state grant funding: $175,000 for resurfacing Church of God Road and Harold Lucas Lane, $99,794 in KPDI funds for an Irvington industrial park waterline extension, and a $6,500 American250 grant for July 4th activities — all requiring budget amendments since the money was unbudgeted. A related first-reading budget amendment ordinance was approved to incorporate these funds and opioid settlement money.
Personnel actions included setting a $18/hour rate for a new grounds maintenance hire, hiring Adam King for the road department at $20/hour, and discussion (ultimately withdrawn) of hiring a seasonal mower at $16/hour due to concerns about lack of documented work history. The court also reappointed Jenny Ham to the library board, renewed Becky Pollock's term on the hospital board, declared jail washing machine and a request to abandon St. Clair Extension Lane as surplus/action items, and approved a waterline license — while raising concerns about a resident who ran a private waterline in a county right-of-way without proper county approval. Reports were received on the animal shelter, emergency management (director retiring July 31), sheriff's activity (including suicide/threat statistics), treasurer's finances (jail fund concerns), the FY23-24 audit (with two findings), and the jailer's report. The meeting closed with discussion of a veteran's flagpole request, outstanding fire department financials, and a road-fund shortfall affecting several magistrates' blacktop budgets.
Agenda (32)
- 0:00
Opening, Pledge, and Prayer
The meeting opened with the pledge of allegiance and a prayer led by Magistrate Gary Greenwell, followed by roll call confirming all magistrates present.
- 1:22
Approval of June Minutes
The court approved the minutes of the June 22-23, 2025 meeting.
- 1:50
Transfers
The court approved a set of budget transfers with some discussion.
- 2:18
Claims
The court approved claims including an additional bucket-truck repair claim, with discussion of pool repair costs, spay/neuter program claims, and reimbursements for pool supplies.
- 6:58
Street Legal Special Purpose Vehicle Ordinance (2nd Reading) & Public Comment
After extensive public comment and magistrate debate about safety concerns with allowing off-road UTVs/ATVs on county roads at up to 55 mph, the ordinance failed on a vote.
- 24:29
Road Foreman's Report
John reported on ongoing blacktop contract work, numerous soft-spot dig-outs needed throughout the county, staffing challenges, and discussed possibly contracting out patchwork and buying a used roller/paver, plus roadside spraying.
- 35:50
Surplus Paper Machine / Equipment Purchase Discussion
Extended discussion over selling the county's malfunctioning paper (paving) machine versus repairing it, with disagreement over giving away taxpayer equipment versus cutting losses; also discussed buying a used paver and roller.
- 52:28
Harm Reduction / Jail Medication Program Update
Jenny Ham reported that continuing to fund the Step Works opioid treatment program for jail inmates is too costly ($43,750 over 10 months for 12 inmates) and recommended discontinuing county funding after June, exploring a cheaper film-based medication option instead.
- 1:00:48
Residential Construction Inspections Discussion
Charlie (deputy judge/attorney) explained a proposal to allow optional licensed residential building code inspections for new home construction, benefiting homeowners seeking builder's insurance; the court moved to draft an ordinance under KRS 198B.060.
- 1:09:54
Resolution 2025-0721: Discretionary State Funding for Church of God Road and Harold Lucas Lane
The court approved a resolution accepting $175,000 in state transportation funding for resurfacing two roads, with discussion about the unbudgeted funds and which magistrate's district budget would cover it.
- 1:17:53
KPDI Grant Resolution for Irvington Industrial Park Waterline
The court approved a resolution accepting $99,794 in Kentucky Product Development Initiative funding for a waterline extension serving the Irvington Industrial Park, with the county acting as pass-through grantee.
- 1:21:45
American250 Kentucky Commission Grant
The court approved acceptance of a $6,500 grant to be used for next year's Fourth of July activities.
- 1:22:43
FY26 Budget Amendment Ordinance (1st Reading)
First reading of an ordinance amending the FY26 budget to reflect the American250, KPDI, and opioid settlement funds received.
- 1:25:08
Administrative Code Amendment (1st Reading) - Salary CPI Provision
Discussion of amending the administrative code to allow automatic CPI salary increases; determined the code isn't structured for that and no action was taken, with plans to handle raises via annual motion instead.
- 1:26:02
Road Salt Bid Award
The court accepted the lowest bid for road salt from Morton Salt at $137/ton.
- 1:26:36
St. Clair Extension Lane - Road View Committee Request
The court voted to have the road viewing committee inspect St. Clair Extension Lane for possible removal from the county road system at the resident's request.
- 1:27:44
Grounds Maintenance Hiring
Discussion of raising the grounds maintenance hourly wage from $16 to $18 after the initial hire declined the position, plus requests to review other applicants.
- 1:37:01
Road Department Hiring
The court approved hiring Adam King at $20/hour for the road department and discussed (then withdrew) hiring a seasonal mower at $16/hour.
- 1:42:56
Library Board Appointment
The court voted to advertise for the vacant grounds position and then appointed Jenny Ham to the Breckinridge County Public Library Board.
- 1:44:32
Hospital Board Appointment
The court approved renewing Becky Pollock's term on the Breckinridge Health hospital board through August 2030.
- 1:45:30
Surplus Declaration - Detention Center Washing Machine
The court declared a non-functioning Maytag washing machine at the jail as surplus.
- 1:46:00
Animal Shelter Report
The report was received; magistrates raised concerns about slow adoption application processing and rules requiring adopted cats be kept indoors for two weeks.
- 1:49:29
Waterline License - 384 Ammon Stevensport Lane
The court approved a waterline license, with discussion of a separate incident where a resident ran a private waterline in the county right-of-way without proper prior approval, raising concerns about ditch restoration and unauthorized taps.
- 1:57:17
FY 2023-24 Audit Approval
The court approved the county's fiscal year 2023-24 audit, which contained two findings.
- 1:57:50
Emergency Management Report
The court discussed the emergency management director's upcoming retirement effective July 31 and debated the qualifications needed for a replacement.
- 1:59:35
Sheriff's Activity Report
Magistrates discussed a reported 33 suicide threats/attempts in the county, with EMS/mental health perspective offered on underreporting and drug-related causes.
- 2:01:01
Treasurer's Report - Jail Fund
The treasurer's report showed a concerning jail fund cash balance; a $50,000 transfer was made to cover jail payroll.
- 2:01:35
Treasurer's Quarterly Report
The quarterly treasurer's report was received without discussion.
- 2:01:44
Annual Settlement
The annual settlement report was received without detailed discussion.
- 2:01:52
Jailer's Report
The jailer's report showed jail population at 182 with 127 state inmates; state inmate numbers remain lower than desired.
- 2:02:16
Other Business
Magistrates discussed installing a flagpole at the road department at a worker's request, pressure to obtain overdue fire department financials (especially McDaniels), and a dispute over a $41,000 road-fund shortfall caused by blacktop work billed in the new fiscal year.
- 2:13:33
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned following a motion and second.
Motions & votes (23)
- 1:33
passedApprove minutes of the June 22-23, 2025 meeting
unanimous roll call
- 1:55
passedApprove budget transfers
unanimous roll call
- 2:32
passedApprove claims including an additional bucket truck claim
seconded by Squire Henning · unanimous roll call
- 8:36
failedApprove second reading of Ordinance 2025-0623, allowing street legal special purpose vehicles on county roads
seconded by Squire Henning · 4 no (Moore, Armstrong, Beavenon, Greenwell), 2 yes (Albright, Henning), Judge Lucas no
- 48:52
passedSell the county's non-functioning paper (paving) machine via online auction pending confirmation from a state contact, targeting sale by September 1
Moore no, Henning yes, Armstrong yes, Beavenon yes, Greenwell yes, Lucas no, Albright no
- 1:08:59
passedProceed with drafting an ordinance to allow optional licensed residential building code inspections
seconded by Squire Greenwell · unanimous roll call
- 1:10:52
unclearApprove Resolution 2025-0721 accepting $175,000 discretionary state funding for Church of God Road and Harold Lucas Lane resurfacing
seconded by Squire Moore · Armstrong response unclear, Beavenon no, Greenwell no, Lucas yes, Albright yes, Moore yes, Henning no
- 1:21:18
passedApprove Resolution 2025-0721a accepting KPDI grant funding for Irvington industrial park waterline extension
seconded by Squire Armstrong · unanimous roll call
- 1:22:23
passedApprove acceptance of American250 Kentucky Commission grant of $6,500
seconded by Squire Henning · unanimous roll call
- 1:24:34
passedApprove first reading of Ordinance 2025-0721, FY26 budget amendment
seconded by Squire Greenwell · unanimous roll call
- 1:26:13
passedAccept lowest salt bid from Morton Salt at $137/ton
Moved by Squire Moore · unanimous roll call
- 1:27:15
passedHave the road viewing committee inspect St. Clair Extension Lane for possible removal from county road system
seconded by Squire Greenwell · unanimous roll call
- 1:36:35
passedSet grounds maintenance hourly rate to $18
seconded by Squire Armstrong · unanimous roll call
- 1:38:06
passedHire Adam King for road department at $20/hour effective immediately
unanimous roll call
- 1:42:11
tabledHire seasonal mower (Allan) at $16/hour for summer season
- 1:42:40
passedAdvertise for the grounds maintenance / seasonal mower position
unanimous roll call
- 1:43:59
passedAppoint Jenny Ham to the Breckinridge County Public Library Board
seconded by Squire Armstrong · unanimous roll call
- 1:45:07
passedApprove renewal of Becky Pollock's term on the Breckinridge Health hospital board
Moved by Squire Armstrong · seconded by Squire Greenwell · unanimous roll call
- 1:45:42
passedDeclare a non-functioning Maytag washing machine at the jail as surplus
seconded by Squire Armstrong · unanimous roll call
- 1:49:39
passedApprove waterline license for 384 Ammon Stevensport Lane
seconded by Squire Henning · unanimous roll call
- 1:57:25
passedApprove FY 2023-24 fiscal court audit
seconded by Squire Henning · unanimous roll call
- 2:12:43
passedHave the road view committee inspect a road near Legacy for potential county acceptance
unanimous roll call
- 2:13:39
passedAdjourn the meeting
unanimous voice vote
Transcript (109 segments)
- 0:00
All right, let's all stand for the pledge of prayer. Pledge algiance 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 third district master Gary Greenville to lead us in prayer this morning. — Pray with me, please. Heavenly Father, thank you for today. Thank you for giving us time to come together as we conduct the business of Brick and Ree County. We just ask that you be in our minds that we make the best decisions for the citizens of the community. And Father, I just want you to u bless those that have been affected by all the flooding we've had over the our country in the last month. It's just a devastating. Just ask that you be with those families and comfort them. All this in the name of Jesus. Amen. Amen. Thank you, Gary. Just have a copy and we're have a roll call, please. — Square Armstrong. — Square Beavenon. Square Greenwell here. — Judge Lucas. — Yes. — Square Albright here. — Square Moore here. — Square Henny.
- 1:14
— Yes. Here. — I said yes. I'm here though. Okay. Let the record reflect everyone pressed this morning. The first item of business is approval of minutes of the June 22nd 23rd 2025 meeting. I'll entertain a motion to approve those minutes. — So motion square. Any questions or discussions hearing? None. Take a vote, please. — Squire Armstrong. — Yes. — Square Beavenon. Yes. — Square Greenwell. Yes. Judge Lucas. Square Alro. Square Moore. Yes. — Square Henning. — Yes. — Okay. All minutes approved. Next item, transfers. I'll entertain a motion to approve transfers. — I'll make a motion. — Motion require more or second. — Second require all. Any questions? We had some fun fun transfers there. Hearing none. Table please. — Square Beavenon. Yes. — Square Greenwell. Judge Lucas. Square Albbright. Yes. — Square Moore. Yes. — Square Henning. Yes. Square Armstrong. — Yes. So yes, transfers are approved. Next item are claims. I'll entertain a motion to approve claims. And there's one additional claim on our bucket truck there that we just got in this morning.
- 2:28
So I enterain a motion to approve those claims. An additional claim. Okay. Motion Square Henny's a second. — I'll second more. Any questions? — Uh yeah, I've got just a few. Uh in the page one general fund, uh Robin board pool repairs. What was that? they he had to put a complete new electrical system in that thing. Uh he had mentioned last year that if we didn't possibly could go into the water and electrocute somebody. So anyway, that's well he did some other work too, but the biggest probably 10,000 of it was the electrical system on it. — Okay. — So we got an upgrade good good shape now. — Okay. And on page uh sorry I got two or three questions. — That's okay. Page two is a general fund. We look like we got some uh spam neuters for Grayson County and and some and a claim to Butler County, friends of Butler County for spam. — Nicole told me that the they are doing cheaper than Rover — and they actually come to the shelter and do it. — Yeah, they will. — So, are we going to start getting them? — She's going to try. Yes. — I think this was kind of a one time.
- 3:43
— No, we had it on the last meeting, too. They're trying to see if they can afford it is what I'm saying. — I think that's the biggest thing. — Okay. — Okay. Anything else? — Uh — yeah, under notic uh page four or five there was a reimbursement to you. That's for — kind of curious. I feel you're having to spend money and then get — Well, uh the painting thing last month, the girl that painted, she couldn't didn't want to wait for a month to get a paycheck. So, I went ahead and paid her out of my own money and then they reimbured me. This is for some umbrellas that we picked up. They had them on half price, heavy duty. We bought two of them, heavy duty umbrellas. And so, I went ahead and put them on my credit card and she's going to she reimburse me. — Okay. — It's all pool related is what it is. — Yeah. Man, that's when — I know. — Are we are we charging rent or anything at the pool for people to have activities? — Well, they we have pool parties and of course $5 a day for anyone that's not a member, but if you're a member, they swim for nothing. So, that's the way it's always been. I don't like that situation either, but — but for like birthday party, — there's a fee. — How much is that? — I can
- 4:57
say 15 $750 — and then you have to pay. Yeah. — $25 each. So, it's right at $200. — $200. — Count the life fee. — Oh, — it's booked. It's booked pretty well for You need to call call Ameilia and make sure it's booked pretty solid for the rest of the swimmers season. — I was just curious. There's a whole lot of expenses there. — I know. — I don't see a whole lot coming in. So, — there's very little. Well, this year it's been better than normal as far as the receipts from it. I guess it's been hotter than normal earlier. So, But it is a money pit. There's no doubt about it. It always has been. — Okay. Any other one more? — Okay. — On page one of three in the road fund uh a toll from affordable trailers. — Yeah. That was when our uh road tractor was down and we had to get paper taken to mean county. had two. There was two trailers — and he towed our tractor to Louisville Jeffersonville Jeff. — That was at the $1,500 claim. — We have two two of them. One in the general, one in the road. — John the 1500. — Who is — that? Somebody local.
- 6:11
— Oh, okay. I didn't I didn't realize who that was. I saw affordable and I didn't recognize. I thought we were getting somebody out of county. — Yeah, there's two claims. to haul paper to me county and the other claim was for like he said to haul one of the — I just didn't know who Affordable Tra was getting somebody outside the county. — No. — Okay. — Okay. Any other questions? — Sorry about that. — No, that's okay. That's all right. — Hearing none. Take a look, please. — Square Greenwell. — Yes. — Judge Lucas. Squire Albbright. Yes. — Square Moore. Yes. — Square. Yes. — Squire Armstrong. Yes. — Square Bevon. — Yes. Okay. All yes. Claims are approved. First item of old business is the second reading of ordinance number 2025 0623. And that's a street legal special purpose vehicle. You want to read that number? — Yeah. And you all have an updated one at your seat that changed the speed limit. Correct. — Changed the speed limit and then updated to require the windshield and some sort of windshield wiper. an ordinance of the Breen Ridge Fiscal Court relating to street legal special purpose vehicles. Whereas 2025 Kentucky Acts chapter 89
- 7:26
became law on March 26, 2025 and allows for the operation of street legal special purpose vehicles on certain highways within the Commonwealth of Kentucky if allowed by ordinance of the local government within those jurisdictional boundaries the highway is located. And whereas the act becomes effective on Friday, June 27th, 2025, and whereas the Breenidge fiscal court has determined that it is appropriate to allow the operation of street legal special purpose vehicles on specified highways within the jurisdictional boundaries of Breenidge County in accordance with the act in this ordinance. Now therefore, be it now therefore be it hereby ordained by the fiscal court of the county of Breenidge, Commonw, Kentucky. Section one, definitions. Section two, designated highways. Section three, exceptions. Section four, prohibitions. Section five, additional requirements. The foregoing ordinance, having received its first reading on the 23rd day of June, 2025, was given its second reading. Well, I won't say that yet. Okay. — Okay. I'll entertain a motion to approve second reading of ordinance number 2025-0623. I'll move.
- 8:41
— Okay. Motion squire. Hennings. Is there a second? — Second. — Second. Squire. All right. Okay. Any We have We have a gentleman wanted to talk about this uh ordinance as well too or potential ordinance that we're fixing to vote on there. — Yeah, you can. It' be better if you want. Be better. — Thank you for your time this morning. Um I didn't realize the procedure actually that I should have been on the — Yeah. agenda. I appreciate Brandon talking with you getting in here. I'm a little late to the game and I knew this bill was coming and you going to be reviewing it. Uh, you know, I've been a resident of this county for a home property here for 13 years. Resident here nine and and retired down here permanently uh from look and and one of the reasons I came this county was the beauty of the county, the simplicity of the county, just everything about it just appealing to me. And you know, but one of the things that we've seen in the years over the 13 years we've been down here, we live in a small community over here on our river and everybody knows the problems associated with off-road