Meeting of January 21, 2025
Breckinridge County Fiscal Court - 1/21/25 · Watch on YouTube ↗
Summary
The Breckinridge County Fiscal Court met on January 21, 2025, and handled routine business (minutes, transfers, claims) before appointing Ian Brockman as the new Tourism Director, Troy Mills as the county's local building inspector, reappointing Mitch Jackson to a second term on the health board, and approving the hiring of a new dispatcher, Hannah Diaz. The court also renewed its yearly fire service agreement with the Senior Judicial Center, declared a 2007 GMC animal shelter truck surplus for bidding, and accepted the county clerk's year-end audit, which had only minor findings.
The bulk of the meeting was dominated by a lengthy, contentious first reading of a new solar energy ordinance that would replace the county's 2022 ordinance with stricter setback requirements (1,000 feet from roads, 2,000 feet from residences and property lines). Magistrates debated whether the setbacks amount to de facto zoning, whether the county should cap total acreage under lease as Meade County has done, and whether the ordinance unfairly targets a specific project. A representative from EDP Renewables, developer of the proposed Clover Creek/New Frontier solar project, argued the setbacks would not reduce total land converted to solar and invited residents to a public open house on January 30. Public comments also raised health and property-rights concerns. The ordinance passed first reading on a split vote, with second reading planned for the February meeting, timed to occur before the state Public Service Commission's public hearing.
The court also voted (narrowly, 4-3) to hire an outside attorney at $325/hour, with Kentucky Magistrates and Commissioners Association's blessing, to monitor the state siting board process on solar projects, requiring all correspondence be shared with the full court, treasurer, clerk, and county attorney. Several magistrates objected to the cost and to going around the county attorney, who reportedly felt bypassed by the arrangement.
Other business included a dispute over a Hope House renovation invoice tied to $60,000 in state appropriations that named the Optimist Club rather than the Friends of the Hope House as the responsible party; the court agreed to place the invoice on claims for the February meeting pending further review. The court also agreed to have its road view committee re-examine a request from Thornhill Estates residents to bring their road into the county system, despite acknowledging the high cost (an estimated $50,000+) makes it unlikely to proceed.
Routine department reports were received (road, animal shelter, emergency management, sheriff, treasurer, jailer) with no action needed, and the meeting closed with updates on a bucket truck repair and roadside tree trimming before adjourning. The next regular meeting is scheduled for February 17, 2025.
Agenda (23)
- 1:20
Approval of Minutes (Dec 16, Dec 23, Dec 30)
The court approved minutes from the December 16 regular meeting and two December special call meetings without discussion.
- 2:41
Transfers
The court approved routine budget transfers.
- 3:10
Claims
The court approved payment of routine claims.
- 3:38
Road Department Report
The road department was not present, having spent recent weeks clearing snow; no report was given.
- 4:01
Appointment of Tourism Director
Ian Brockman, also the chamber director, was appointed as the new tourism director effective January 6.
- 5:03
Appointment of Local Building Inspector
With Pat Rad resigning for health reasons, the court appointed Troy Mills as the new local building inspector, with a formal agreement to be signed later.
- 6:01
Breckinridge County Health Board Appointment
Mitch Jackson was reappointed to a second five-year term representing the second district on the health board.
- 6:35
Hiring of Dispatcher
The court approved hiring Hannah Diaz as a dispatcher effective January 4, 2025, at a rate per the county pay scale.
- 7:36
Senior Judicial Center Fire Service Agreement
The court renewed its annual fire service agreement with the Senior Judicial Center for $2,839, partially reimbursed by AOC.
- 8:31
Surplus of Animal Shelter Vehicle
A 2007 GMC 1500 animal shelter vehicle was declared surplus so bids could be taken.
- 9:23
County Court Clerk's Audit
The court accepted the county clerk's fiscal year-end audit, which had two minor, routine findings.
- 9:58
Animal Shelter Report and Staff Resignation
The court acknowledged the resignation of animal shelter employee Sam Fras, effective December 2, for the record.
- 10:58
Emergency Management Report
A quarterly emergency management report was received with no action needed.
- 11:07
Sheriff's Activity Report
The sheriff's office reported roughly 11,069 calls for the year.
- 11:27
Treasurer's Report
The treasurer's report was received and looked satisfactory.
- 11:37
Treasurer's Second Quarter Report
The treasurer's second quarter report was received.
- 11:46
Jailer's Report
The jailer reported the state inmate population was around 99-100, well below historical norms statewide, with some discussion of possible city cost-sharing.
- 13:15
First Reading of Solar Energy Ordinance
The court conducted a lengthy first reading and debate on a new solar ordinance replacing the 2022 version, with contentious discussion over setbacks, acreage caps, health concerns, and impact on the pending Clover Creek/New Frontier solar project; a representative from EDP Renewables argued against the setback approach and announced a public open house for January 30.
- 42:24
Hiring Outside Attorney for Solar Oversight
The court discussed hiring an outside attorney experienced in solar siting board matters to monitor solar developments on the county's behalf, at $325 an hour, funded through transfers rather than new budget appropriations.
- 51:12
Hope House Invoice Dispute
Magistrates debated whether a Hope House renovation invoice, tied to a $60,000 state appropriation naming the Optimist Club rather than the Friends of the Hope House, could be paid; the court agreed to place it on claims for the February meeting pending review.
- 57:58
Thornhill Estates Road Request
Residents asked the court to reconsider bringing a Thornhill Estates road into the county road system; the court agreed to have the road view committee look at it again despite the high estimated cost.
- 59:37
Bucket Truck and Tree Trimming Update
The court discussed repair of the county's bucket truck and plans to trim trees along US 60 near Carr Lane.
- 59:51
Adjournment and Next Meeting
The court announced the next regular meeting for February 17, 2025, and adjourned.
Motions & votes (17)
- 1:26
passedApprove minutes of the December 16 regular meeting
seconded by Squire Albright
- 1:52
passedApprove minutes of the December 23 special call meeting
Moved by Squire Albright · seconded by Squire Greenwell
- 2:20
passedApprove minutes of the December 30 special call meeting
Moved by Squire Bavon · seconded by Squire Armstrong
- 2:45
passedApprove budget transfers
Moved by Squire Moore · seconded by Squire Albright
- 3:16
passedApprove payment of claims
Moved by Squire Armstrong
- 4:23
passedApprove appointment of Ian Brockman as tourism director
Moved by Squire Greenwell · seconded by Squire Henning
- 5:39
passedApprove appointment of Troy Mills as local building inspector
Moved by Squire Moore
- 6:19
passedReappoint Mitch Jackson to the health board for a second five-year term
Moved by Shane · seconded by Squire Armstrong
- 7:18
passedApprove hiring of Hannah Diaz as dispatcher
Moved by Squire Greenwell · seconded by Squire Henning
- 8:11
passedApprove Senior Judicial Center fire service agreement
Moved by Squire Moore
- 8:52
passedDeclare animal shelter vehicle surplus and take bids
Moved by Squire Albright · seconded by Squire Henning
- 9:42
passedAccept county clerk's fiscal year-end audit
seconded by Squire Armstrong
- 19:30
passedApprove first reading of the new solar energy ordinance
Moved by Squire Moore · seconded by Squire Henning · Squire Armstrong, Squire Bavon, Squire Albright, and Squire Henning voted yes; Judge Lucas and Squire Moore voted no
- 50:22
passedEnter into a contract with an outside attorney to monitor solar siting board proceedings, with correspondence shared with the full court, treasurer, clerk, and county attorney
Moved by Judge Lucas · seconded by Squire Armstrong · 4-3, with Judge Lucas, Squire Albright, and Squire Moore opposed
- 56:55
passedPlace the Hope House invoice on claims for the February meeting pending review
unanimous
- 58:20
passedHave the road view committee look again at bringing the Thornhill Estates road into the county system
unanimous
- 59:58
passedAdjourn the meeting
unanimous
Transcript (49 segments)
- 0:00
okay let's all stand for the pledge and a prayer pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the for it stands Nation indivisible liy and Justice all okay this morning I've asked Mr Tim Milbert if he would to lead us in prayer appreciate this pray father God GL and pray for the day that you give father and come to you father situation need is going around us God father most father father God just touch our County oh God and touch a mat father give wisdom decision they make father God to advance our County oh god father God I thank you and praise you touch your homes and families father in this cold weather oh god you watch over protect them Father God father back use back your kingdom and use us for your kingdom in Jesus Christ name amen amen a call have a r call please Squire Armstrong Squire beon Squire Greenwell judge Lucas Squire Albright Squire Moore Squire Henning here okay let's director reflect everyone's here our County attorney is actually in court across the street here this morning she couldn't be here so she said if we need us need her
- 1:15
we could give her a call okay first item business is approval of the minutes of the December 16th regular meeting I'll understand motion approve those minutes motion but squ or second second squ Albright any question hearing none please Squire Armstrong Square be square Greenwell judge Lucas yes Squire Albright yes Square Moore Square Henning yes okay next item is the approval of the minutes of the special call meeting of December 23rd 2024 I a motion to approve those minutes I move soqu albri second second second Squire green question hearing none Squire beon yes Squire Greenwell judge Lucas Squire Albright yes Squire Moore Iain Squire hening yes Squire Armstrong yes okay minutes are approved last uh group of minutes is the approval of minutes of December 30 special call meeting all motion to approve those minutes I'll move so motion b or second second second Armstrong any questions hearing n take a vote Please
- 2:29
square Greenwell yes judge Lucas Squire albite yes Squire Moore Squire Henning yes Squire Armstrong yes square B yes okay next item is a transfers and I'll a motion to approve transfers I'll make a motion okay motion of Squire mowers are second second second Squire Albright any question hearing n Square Albright yes Square Moore yes squ Henning squ Armstrong Square be square Greenwell judge Lucas next I have claims I'll entertain a motion to approve claims did I hear somebody oh Armstrong made motions or a second I'll second any questions hearing none take please Squire Moore Squire Henning squ Armstrong squ be squ Greenwell judge Lucas yes squ albri yes okay next item excuse me is the first item of new business is the road
- 3:44
Department's report and they actually are not here they're actually out doing some things this morning I think all they've been doing for the last two weeks is moving snow anyway so okay we'll move on to the next item and that's the appointment of the tourism director we have him with us this morning Mr Ian Brockman uh he uh is the new tourism director effective January the 6 so good to have you on board in we don't need a motion to that effect I don't think okay we need a motion to that effect okay a motion to approve him okay motion mire green or second second second mire Hing any questions Ian rman Ian Ian you may want to mention that he's actually the chamber yes he also is a chamber director as well too where's he at I had even say stand up I there he is and front where right here in harburg right here in BR County he doing a good job already okay a motion to second is there any other questions hearing none take Square Henning yes Square Armstrong
- 4:56
square beon square Greenwell judge Lucas Squire Albright yes Squire Moore yes okay next item is the appointment of a local building inspector uh Mr Pat rad is not in good health so he has actually resigned uh from the building inspector we we don't have any information on Troy we just need to go ahead and approve him right now we'll have the agreement at the next meeting to sign but we need to approve him as the local building inspector Troy Mills is his name no he's not here here I talked to him on the phone the other day so so I'll entertain a motion to approve the appointment of Troy Mills as the building inspector I'll make a motion okay motion Squire moris are a second I'll second second any questions hearing none take please Squire Armstrong yes Square beon Squire Greenwell judge Lucas Squire Albright Squire Moore yes Square Henning yes next item is the Breen Ridge Health Board appointment and Mr Mitch Jackson has been serving in the second district on the board he he has agreed to a second fiveyear term so Shane
- 6:11
you're okay with that at your District yes the five okay you want to make a motion to that that motion to uh reappoint him reappoint okay is there a second second second Armstrong any questions hearing none take pleas Squire Bon yes Squire Greenwell yes judge Lucas Squire Albright yes Square Moore yes squ Henning yes Square Armstrong yes okay next item is hiring a dispatcher Hannah Diaz effective January the 4th 2025 and I'm pretty sure she is U already got her training and certified I think she will start at $15 I haven't confirmed that yet did you I haven't confirmed it yet normal starting rate is $14 and I think she is certified I'm pretty sure she's going to be $15 is it on the pay scale it is on pay scale H her at the rate according to the pay scale yeah it' be fine that'd be fine according to the pay scale she'll be hired at the rate that shows on it so I'll entertain a motion to approve that employment move so okay Mo Squire green was our second second Squire Hing any questions hearing none take please Squire
- 7:25
Greenwell judge Lucas Squire alight Squire Moore squ Henning yes squar Armstrong squar be yes excuse me next item is the sen judicial Center fire service agreement and this is a this is a yearly deal that we do and authorized to sign that but it's for $2,839 AOC reimburses us as well too so but we have to do this every year Kevin has been happy with their service and so forth so we don't have to bid this out or anything so I'll entertain a motion to to approve that agreement I'll okay motion Squire Mo are second second second any questions hearing none take please Squire alright yes Squire Moore yes Squire Henning Squire Armstrong Squire beon Squire Greenwell judge lcas yes okay next item is surplus of the animal shelter vehicle we need a surplus that vehicle is a a 2007
- 8:40
GMC 1500 the VIN number is 3 GT e c 14x 87 G 187 682 and I'll entertain a motion to declare that Sur and take bids on that I move okay motion squ Al are second squ Henning any questions none please Squire Moore yes Squire Henning yes Squire Armstrong Square beon yes Square Greenwell yes judge Lucas Squire Albright yes okay next item is the County Court Clerk's fiscal year that year end 12 31 1231 to 23 AIT there was two minor findings there that's kinded normal so I'll motion to accept that audit move second second squ Armstrong any questions hearing none Squire Henning yes Squire Armstrong Squire bin squ