Meeting of February 17, 2025
Breckinridge County Fiscal Court - 2/17/25 · Watch on YouTube ↗
Summary
The Breckinridge County Fiscal Court met February 17, 2025, opening with the pledge, prayer, and roll call. After amending the agenda to add an executive session on pending litigation, the court approved January's minutes, claim transfers, and claims before recessing into closed session.
In old business, the court adopted (on a split vote) an ordinance repealing and replacing the 2022 solar energy system ordinance, with several magistrates voicing concern that terms like 'large-scale loss of agricultural land' remain undefined. The court also capped spending on outside legal/procurement counsel at $15,000, naming the county attorney and Judge Lucas as points of contact.
A lengthy discussion centered on a disputed $1,420 invoice for brick and well work at the Hulk Home historic site, submitted by Charlie Corbett, who is not an official member of the Friends of the Hulk Home board. The Friends objected that he lacked authority to commit funds and that a proposed bronze marker and interpretive signage had not been approved by the Kentucky Heritage Council. The court ultimately agreed to pay only for the well work (transferring funds from the general fund to cover it) while tabling the sign/marker costs pending clarification of what the Heritage Council has actually approved.
Routine business included road department updates on winter storm damage and gravel/chip-and-seal maintenance limits, review of HVAC preventive-maintenance bids for the judicial center, approval of a new Step Works medication-assisted treatment agreement for the jail, declaration of an old animal shelter truck as salvage, approval of waterline and sewer line licenses for the industrial park, and hiring of a new animal shelter attendant and officer.
The 911 coordinator reported that the county's new digital radio system for law enforcement is essentially complete and performing far better than the old system, with plans to transition fire departments next. A representative from Nexa solar project gave nearby landowners a chance to comment, though none spoke up. The meeting closed with a reminder about junk/nuisance-property complaint procedures and a vote to adjourn, with the next regular meeting set for March 17, 2025.
Agenda (23)
- 0:00
Call to order, pledge, prayer, and roll call
The meeting opened with the pledge of allegiance and a prayer led by Susan, followed by roll call of magistrates.
- 1:00
Amend agenda for executive session
Judge Lucas asked to amend the agenda to add an executive session after claims to discuss pending or proposed litigation; the amendment passed on a split vote.
- 2:29
Approval of minutes
The court approved the minutes of the January 21, 2025 meeting.
- 2:45
Claims and transfers
The court approved claim transfers and then the regular claims, including a previously flagged controversial invoice listed separately on the agenda.
- 4:36
Executive session on pending litigation
The court adjourned into executive session to discuss pending or proposed litigation, then returned to regular session.
- 5:35
Second reading of solar energy systems ordinance
The court read and voted on ordinance 2025-1121, which repeals the 2022 solar ordinance and replaces it with new setback, screening, and decommissioning rules; magistrates raised concerns about vague language on agricultural land loss and property-line setbacks before it passed.
- 14:20
County attorney procurement cap
The court discussed capping spending on outside legal/procurement services and set a $15,000 cap, designating the county attorney and Judge Lucas as primary points of contact.
- 16:51
Road department report
The road department reported heavy rain, flooding, snow, and washed-out roads, discussed limits on plowing/salting gravel and chip-seal roads, surplus paver/roller equipment, and flex fund planning for next year.
- 26:38
Step Works medication-assisted treatment program agreement
Jenny and Kayla explained the jail's new medication-assisted treatment program with Step Works, replacing an ineffective prior approach, funded partly by opioid settlement money and pending grants; the court approved the agreement.
- 38:18
Hulk Home invoice dispute
Friends of the Hulk Home objected to an $1,420+ invoice from Charlie Corbett for brick/well work and proposed historical displays, arguing he lacked authority to commit funds and that some items were never approved by the Kentucky Heritage Council; after debate the court agreed to pay only the well-work portion.
- 1:19:39
Judicial center preventive maintenance bids
The court reviewed several HVAC/preventive maintenance bids for the judicial center from JLM, Lux Mechanical, and HMC, and asked Kevin to review scope details before a final decision later in the meeting.
- 1:22:50
Animal shelter vehicle surplus
With no bids received on a 2007 GMC animal shelter truck, the court discussed declaring it salvage due to mechanical problems.
- 1:24:33
Waterline and sewer line licenses for industrial park
The court approved waterline and sewer line licenses for the industrial park lane with the City of Hardinsburg and authorized the judge to sign them.
- 1:25:27
Hiring of animal shelter attendant and officer
The court approved hiring Mara Deon as an animal shelter attendant at $14.50/hour and Hell Howell as an animal shelter officer at $15/hour, both effective the next day.
- 1:26:40
Animal shelter report
The court noted receipt of the annual animal shelter report showing over 1,100 animals processed and about 474 transported out.
- 1:27:29
Sheriff's activity report
The sheriff recognized deputies and outside agencies for handling a difficult January including officer-involved shootings and a manhunt, and reported 743 calls answered.
- 1:29:34
Treasurer's report
The court noted receipt of the treasurer's monthly report.
- 1:29:43
Jail population report
The jailer reported a population of about 177 inmates, with some housed in Jefferson County, and discussed budget concerns going forward.
- 1:30:37
Radio communications project update
John Ventner reported the countywide digital radio system for law enforcement is nearly complete and performing far better than the old system, with plans to transition fire departments to digital next.
- 1:38:37
Nexa solar project landowner comments
A representative from Nexa offered time for nearby landowners involved in the solar project to make final comments before the court; no landowners spoke.
- 1:40:46
Selection of judicial center maintenance contractor
After reviewing bids, the court selected HMC/ATC for judicial center preventive maintenance based on familiarity with the technician.
- 1:42:26
Nuisance property complaint procedure
A magistrate asked why a junk property on Route 86 hadn't been cleaned up; it was clarified that an adjoining property owner must file a formal nuisance complaint before the county attorney can act.
- 1:43:42
Adjournment and next meeting date
The court set the next regular meeting for March 17, 2025 and adjourned.
Motions & votes (18)
- 1:00
passedAmend the agenda to add an executive session after claims to discuss pending/proposed litigation
Mixed vote; Greenwell and Henning opposed, motion carried
- 2:29
passedApprove the minutes of the January 21, 2025 meeting
Unanimous
- 3:00
passedApprove claim transfers
- 3:29
passedApprove claims, including the disputed invoice listed separately on the agenda
Moved by Squire Albright
- 4:34
passedAdjourn regular session and go into executive session for pending/proposed litigation
Greenwell opposed; others yes
- 4:56
passedReturn from executive session to regular session
Unanimous
- 11:12
passedApprove second reading and adoption of ordinance 2025-1121 repealing and replacing the solar energy systems ordinance
Mixed vote; Lucas, Albright, and Moore opposed, motion carried
- 15:56
passedCap attorney procurement spending at $15,000 with county attorney and Judge Lucas as primary contacts
Mixed vote; Lucas and Moore opposed
- 37:57
passedApprove the Step Works medication-assisted treatment program agreement for the jail
seconded by Squire Albright · Unanimous
- 1:16:21
passedPay for the well work portion of the Hulk Home invoice as approved by the Kentucky Heritage Council
- 1:17:19
passedTransfer $1,420 from the general fund to the county programs line item to cover the well work claim
- 1:17:56
passedPay the claim for the Hulk Home well work invoice
Moved by David
- 1:24:18
passedDeclare the 2007 GMC animal shelter truck as salvage after receiving no bids
Unanimous
- 1:24:43
passedApprove waterline license for the industrial park lane with the City of Hardinsburg and authorize signature
- 1:25:04
passedApprove sewer line license for the industrial park with the City of Hardinsburg and authorize signature
Moved by Squire Armstrong · seconded by Squire Greenwell
- 1:25:39
passedApprove hiring of Mara Deon as animal shelter attendant at $14.50/hour, effective the next day
- 1:26:25
passedApprove hiring of Hell Howell as animal shelter officer at $15/hour, effective the next day
- 1:41:56
passedSelect HMC as the judicial center preventive maintenance contractor
Transcript (85 segments)
- 0:00
let's all stand for the pledge and prayer flag United States okay I'm asked Miss Susan D she would to lead us in prayer this morning Susan Heavenly Father be with us today as we're here to serve you and to follow your will we give give you praise to all the people that do your work and follow the voices of the people in BR County thank you for the service please guide everyone home safely today and guide this needing and help everyone make the right choices these things we ask in Jesus name amen thank you Susan call me to order and have a vot call please Squire Armstrong Squire B squ Greenwell judge Lucas squ Albright Square Moore squ hen okay at this time I'm going to ask for a motion to amend the agenda to uh after the claims to actually have an executive session uh after the claims before we go into any the business old or new so is
- 1:14
there a motion to that effect I'll make it okay motion Squire moris are second what was that now I'm amending the agenda to go into executive session it's not on the agenda here here so I have to have an amendment to the agenda what's the executive session for uh proposed or pending litigation judge I'll second your M okay I'll second Mo Squire b or any other questions we don't we can't put do that before old business I don't think yeah we have to do the old business first from the previous meeting no I don't know that it's required toe if you could argue that the pending litigation could be based on stuff that's in Old business any other questions hearing none P Please square Armstrong Squire b square Greenwell no judge Lucas yes Squire Albright yes Squire Moore Squire Henning no okay motion does carry this time Iain a motion to approve the
- 2:25
minutes of the January 21 2025 meeting motion is there second second okay any discussion Please square beon yes Square Greenwell yes judge Lucas yes Square albite yes Square Moore Square Henning yes Square Armstrong yes okay next item is the claims and I motion to approve claim transfers oh transfers I thought that was what we did we just did minutes okay transfer I any motion to approve transfers I'll make a motion motion squ Mo are second second second Al any question hearing none take a please Squire Greenwell yes judge Lucas Squire alight yes Square Moore Square Henning Square Armstrong square B yes yes transfer approve now we go to claims I hand motion to approve claims I move so okay Mo Squire Albright is there a second I second second mire M any questions I got a
- 3:39
question uh last meeting I made a motion to put that invoice on claims we got that listed in here that's an item that actually is over and above what the normal invoices that we normally pay this is something been kind of controversial and so that's why we've got to list here I understand last last month you told me that we couldn't do it outside of claim we couldn't couldn't can we now we can now well well we got to listed on the agenda here it's number c all right okay okay any other questions hearing none take please Squire Albright yes Squire Moore Squire Henning Squire Armstrong Squire beon Squire Greenwell judge Lucas yes okay at this time I hand a motion to uh to adjourn the regular session and go into executive session Move Motion right are second second second Mo any questions hearing none take a please Squire Moore yes Squire Henning yes Squire Armstrong yes Squire be yes squ Greenwell no judge Lucas Squire alright yes okay be
- 4:53
back executive session record second second take Squire Henning yes Squire Armstrong Squire B Squire Greenwell Jud judge Lucas Squire alight yes Squire Moore yes oh yes okay we're going to move right along with the first item business that's the second reading of ordinance number 20251 no action no action no action I'm sorry I'm sorry no action was taken I'm sorry I've taken so much C I can't even think clearly do anyway we're going the first item of old business is the second reading of ordinance number 2025 10121 solar energy systems you want to read that far cona Kentucky bre andri County Fiscal Court ordinance number 20251 121 an ordinance repealing brick andri County Fiscal Court ordinance 2022 d321 for solar energy system installations in Breen County Kentucky whereas the bre County Fiscal Court in pursuance of the powers and duties vested in it by the Commonwealth of Kentucky has previously adopted
- 6:06
ordinance 2022 0321 addressing and establishing minimum setback screening and decommissioning requirements for solar energy system installations and whereas the Breen County Fiscal Court upon thorough review and deliberation has determined that it is in the best interest of the public to repeal ordinance 20223 21 and replace it with a new ordinance to better address the Contemporary needs and interest of both the County residents and solar energy systems as defined herein and whereas pursuant to KRS 67.0 A3 the Breen County Fiscal Court is granted the the authority to undertake all necessary governmental actions for the welfare of the county and specifically is empowered by KS 67.0 H3 subsection 3 subsection H to regulate the conservation preservation and enhancement of Natural Resources including soils water air ve vegetation and Wildlife and by Cara 67.0 H3 subsection 3 subsection M for the regulation of Commerce for the protection and convenience of the public to safeguard the livelihoods and well-being of its residents and whereas Breen Rich county has a thriving and
- 7:19
vitally important agricultural economy which can be adversely impacted by removing pasture and crop lands from production and whereas it is not intended to to be a planning and or zoning regulation and whereas the new ordinance is envisioned to embody more effective measures for the protection and conservation of the County's natural resources thus fulfilling additional government government functions as outlined in K 67.0 H3 subsection 3 subsection H and whereas KRS 27871 a became effective on June the 29th 2023 and further provides that an ordinance permit or license issued by local government and enacted under the provisions of home rule KRS chapter 67.0 67.0 A3 67. 850 67.92 2 67806 67 c101 and 82082 shall have Primacy over the provisions including setbacks requirements set forth in Caris 2787 27874 27876
- 8:32
27878 and any conflict between an order of the board and a local ordinance permit or license shall be resolved in favor of the local government's ordinance permit or license and whereas the Breen County Fiscal Court finds it necessary and appropriate to provide reasonable safeguards which mitigate potential nuisances such as soil erosion water runoff and erosion large scale loss of agricultural land and impacts to local flora and fauna among others created by large scale ground mounted solar energy systems as defined here in order to protect adjoining properties and public rways and whereas the Breckenridge County Fiscal Court desires to exercise its authority pursuant to the above cided subsections now therefore be it ordained by the Fiscal Court of the county of brenridge cola Kentucky section one definitions section two applicability section four decommissioning requirements oh did I miss