Meeting of July 9, 2024
7-9-24 Ohio County Fiscal Court Meeting · Watch on YouTube ↗
Summary
Ohio County Fiscal Court – July 9, 2024
The meeting opened with a swearing-in ceremony for new 4th District Magistrate Brian Daniels, followed by a special Public Facilities Corporation meeting to approve financing documents needed for the hospital's permanent bond financing with USDA. Two resolutions were passed authorizing the corporation to secure the real estate and to allow Magistrate Jason Bullock to sign closing documents in place of Judge Johnson, who will be out of town.
In the regular Fiscal Court session, the court approved minutes, bills/claims, and a companion resolution supporting the hospital financing. A first-reading budget amendment ordinance was passed by roll call. Economic developer Jason Chandler shared exciting news that Ohio County ranked #10 nationally in per-capita economic development, highlighted ongoing prospects including a large industrial site with 50-70 megawatts of power potential, and new projects in Beaver Dam.
Two community organizations made funding requests: Sleep in Heavenly Peace (building beds for children without them) asked for $5,000, which magistrates informally agreed to cover through personal discretionary funds; and Ohio County United for Youth requested $1,000 for youth programming, with the judge suggesting they may qualify for Kentucky ASAP drug-prevention funding instead.
Personnel actions were approved for a golf course position (Jesse Willis) and a road department truck driver/operator (Dallas Frame). The court approved a $48,673.10 bid from Atlantic Emergency Solutions for a new fire department air compressor system, choosing it over a lower $52,900... (correction: chosen over Mid-America's bid) due to better warranty coverage and local service support.
A significant policy motion was passed restricting payroll account line-item transfers, preventing departments from shifting unused payroll/retirement/insurance funds into other operational spending, aimed at preserving year-end surplus funds for genuine needs.
During reports, magistrates discussed a siren malfunction during a tornado warning in Cromwell, and new employee Judy raised concerns about housing and homelessness in the county, referencing an existing committee (chaired by Christina Carpenter) working on potential solutions including tiny home communities and government housing.
Agenda (21)
- 0:06
Swearing-in of new 4th District Magistrate Brian Daniels
Judge Johnson administered the oath of office to newly appointed magistrate Brian Daniels before the meetings began.
- 2:34
Public Facilities Corporation: Hospital bond resolution
County Attorney Justin K explained the need for two resolutions to allow the Public Facilities Corporation to secure the hospital's permanent USDA financing on the real estate, clarifying the county itself is not liable for the debt.
- 4:50
Public Facilities Corporation: Authorize Bullock to sign in Judge Johnson's absence
A second resolution was needed so Magistrate Jason Bullock could execute closing documents since Judge Johnson will be out of town on the closing date.
- 6:07
Fiscal Court called to order, prayer and pledge
Judge Johnson called the regular fiscal court meeting to order; Jason Bullock led prayer and pledge.
- 7:24
Approval of June 25th meeting minutes
The court approved minutes from the previous meeting without corrections.
- 7:59
Bills, claims, payments and transfers
The court discussed and approved bills, claims and transfers, including clarification on district-specific discretionary community contribution funds.
- 10:49
Fiscal Court resolution supporting Public Facilities Corporation action
The fiscal court as a whole passed a resolution approving the action just taken by the Public Facilities Corporation regarding hospital bond financing.
- 11:48
Budget amendment ordinance - first reading
The annual July budget amendment ordinance 2024-21 was read for the first time and passed by roll call vote, affecting discretionary and road funds.
- 12:41
Economic development update from Jason Chandler
Chandler announced Ohio County ranked #10 nationally in per capita economic development, discussed ongoing prospects including a large industrial site with significant power capacity, and upcoming Beaver Dam project announcements.
- 17:21
Sleep in Heavenly Peace presentation and funding request
Angel presented on the nonprofit's mission to build beds for children without them and requested $5,000 in county funding; magistrates informally agreed to contribute from discretionary funds.
- 25:46
Ohio County United for Youth presentation and funding request
Maryann Piper presented on the youth development organization's programs and requested $1,000, with suggestion to also pursue Kentucky ASAP funding for drug prevention purposes.
- 35:52
Personnel appointment: Golf course position
Jesse Willis was appointed to a seasonal position at the golf course effective July 1st.
- 36:35
Personnel appointment: Road department truck driver/operator
Dallas Frame was hired as a road department truck driver and operator with a CDL and tanker endorsement, effective July 1st.
- 37:28
Fire department air compressor bid opening and award
Two bids were opened for a replacement breathing air compressor for the Rockport Fire Department; the court awarded the contract to Atlantic Emergency Solutions despite a higher price, citing warranty and local service advantages.
- 46:45
Committee reports
Magistrates reported minimal committee activity since the last meeting; one committee item related to a CERT program was noted as already in effect.
- 47:40
County officials and department reports
Brief updates from county officials with no significant items raised.
- 47:54
Magistrate reports by district
Magistrates gave district updates including a resolved TV/technology issue, ongoing black-top paving funding efforts, and introduction of new discussion on payroll restriction policy.
- 49:31
Payroll account transfer restriction motion
Magistrate Jason Bullock proposed and the court passed a policy restricting transfers out of payroll, FICA, retirement, and health insurance accounts to other spending categories, aimed at preserving year-end surplus.
- 53:42
Cromwell tornado siren malfunction discussion
A magistrate reported that emergency sirens failed to sound in Cromwell during a tornado warning and the issue would be reported for repair.
- 55:21
Housing and homelessness discussion
New county employee Judy raised concerns about a housing crisis in the county, referencing an existing committee working on shelter and housing solutions, including potential tiny home communities.
- 1:02:22
Meeting adjournment
The meeting was adjourned with the next meeting scheduled in two weeks.
Motions & votes (11)
- 3:56
passedApprove resolution authorizing Public Facilities Corporation to enter into documents securing real estate for hospital bond financing (Resolution 2024-1)
Moved by Jason Bullock · seconded by Ben
- 5:22
passedApprove resolution authorizing Jason Bullock to execute closing documents in lieu of Judge Johnson (Resolution 2024-2)
Moved by Larry · seconded by Michael McKenny
- 7:31
passedApprove minutes of June 25th meeting
Moved by Ben · seconded by Michael McKenny
- 8:26
passedApprove bills, claims, payments and transfers
Moved by Jason Bullock · seconded by Michael
- 11:04
passedFiscal court resolution approving Public Facilities Corporation action on hospital financing
Moved by Jason Bullock · seconded by Ben
- 12:03
passedFirst reading of budget amendment ordinance 2024-21
Moved by Jason · seconded by O.B. · unanimous roll call: Morphew yes, Kenny yes, Bullock yes, Bennett yes, Johnston yes, Daniel yes
- 36:00
passedApprove hiring Jesse Willis for seasonal golf course position
unanimous roll call: Morphew yes, McKenny yes, Bullock yes, Bennett yes, Johnson yes, Daniel yes
- 36:43
passedApprove hiring Dallas Frame as road department truck driver/operator
unanimous roll call: Morphew yes, McKenny yes, Bullock yes, Bennett yes, Johnson yes, Daniel yes
- 45:40
passedAward fire department air compressor bid to Atlantic Emergency Solutions for $48,673.10 including 5-year warranty
- 50:32
passedRestrict payroll account transfers - prevent moving payroll/FICA/retirement/health insurance funds to other spending categories effective July 1, 2024
Moved by Jason Bullock · unanimous roll call: Morphew yes, McKenny yes, Bullock yes, Bennett yes, Johnson yes, Daniel yes
- 1:02:22
unclearAdjourn the meeting
Transcript (51 segments)
- 0:01
[Music] okay everybody we're going to have a squaring in uh before we call the meetings to order and there's going to be two meetings tonight the first one will be the public facilities Corporation and the next one will be the fysical court meeting so before we get started our new fourth district masterate Brian Daniels here and I'm going to uh SAR him in so if you don't mind Brian raise your right hand you don't have to repeat after me but every time I pause Say I Do I Do Solly square that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the constitution of those Commonwealth and be faithful and true to the Commonwealth of Kentucky so long as I continue to be a citizen thereof I do and that I will Faithfully execute to the best of my ability the office of magistrate according to law I do and I do further Solly swear that since the adoption of this present Constitution I being a citizen of this
- 1:15
state have not fought a jeel with deadly weapons within the state or out of it nor have I accepted a challenge to fight a jeel with deadly weapons nor have I acted a second in carrying out a challenge nor aided a s any person thus offending so help me gu I do you're official you're you're you're the main call that to order this meeting of the Ohio County public facility Corporation um for uh I'm going to uh turn this presentation over to our County attorney Justin K okay so each of you serve on the public facilities corporation uh which really only asset is the hospital property and so the hospital is redoing they had their construction bonds and now they're doing for the more permanent financing so as the owner of the um the real estate um we will need to have a
- 2:28
meeting with respect to the Public's uh facilities Corporation and do two things one of them is pass a resolution authorizing uh the public facilities Corporation to enter into the uh documents necessary to secure the real estate and to promise to pay the loan with respect to U the hospital bonds and so uh this will be resolution 224-1 and I think hopefully each of you have seen it if you haven't it's it's very similar to the 2000 I think it maybe 2021 resolution that we passed which was the original entry of the my thing is that we're not liable on any of this so the public facilities Corporation is liable but they don't have any assets other than the realy yes I have one of the things that I've been in discussions with the bond uh attorney and with USDA we've had some discussions the last few days I wanted some modifications in the documents to accurately reflect the County itself not the fiscal courtt nor Ohio County as a whole are responsible for this debt uh the hospital be paying it the hospital certainly has no objection to that because they intend to don't have any
- 3:42
reason to doubt that they won't but it will not uh place the it's not supposed to place the county in any type of obligation other than the public facilities so it ask to pass the first resolution which is for them to enter into this hear motion I'll make the motion motion by Jason Bullock sir second by Ben is there any discussion being none on say I oppos like s that resolution is passed the second resolution that we need is just mainly for convenience of being able to who can sign normally it would be Judge Johnson as the Pres president of the public facilities Corporation however he will be out of town I think on vacation maybe judge is that correct on the 16th on the 16th which is the closing date that the uh USDA and the hospital and bonding Corporation are supposed to meet and close and so this resolution would have Mr Bullock execute those documents in Li of Mr Johnson and U I'd ask that
- 4:56
resolution be passed because I think you are available Jason on that yeah I am that's the reason I asked the question because I don't know the judge is bailing out on me my name going to be on it make sure that you're back yeah that's that was the question do I have a motion on on 20 2025 d2 move motion by Larry second second by Michael mcken is there any discussion being none all in favor say I post like sign that one passes we have another third one uh that is all the meeting that we would need for the U public facilities okay well we need to do another one during the court yes Jud okay we'll come back get just soon as we get through those first three items okay [Music] call this meeting oh high K Fiscal Court to
- 6:08
order um I'm going to ask uh Jason Bullock to lead us in prayer and pledge to the flag ieads please dear Lord we just love you we thank you so much for this opportunity we have to be here today we just uh pray that she'd be with our County we pray that uh people were safe that there was no damage done in this recent just little storm that just went through dear Lord we just pray that our people were protected dear Lord uh today um our friend Dustin here in the crowd we just pray that his uh had a cousin that had a wreck this morning is in surgery and we just pray that you be with Jared and that you uh wrap your loving arms around that family and comfort them this time dear Lord again just be with our County help us to grow help us to do good things for our our people and I ask for wisdom in these meetings here Lord and it's your name we pray amen amen I pledge Al 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 uh before you you have the uh
- 7:21
minutes of the June 25th meeting uh we need a motion to approve make a motion motion by both Ben second second by Michael mckenny to approve the M are there any discussion correction or additions to the m discussion Corrections or additions to the minut caring none all in favor say I post like sign the have passed before you you have the uh uh bills claims payments and transfers is there a late list no no with no late list bills claims payments and [Music] transfers we need a motion to approve that then we discuss it if we need to motion motion by Jason bu second second by Michael is there any discussion on the bills claimed payments and
- 8:35
transfers any discussion on on these uh transfers and uh Community contributions is that left over rolled over from last year no uh some of the Surplus money we had we put an extra 10,000 in that so now the accepted that's total with last year and yeah no it's what we included in the budget originally then what we added to it but that's also what we had left from last year correct no we didn't have anything left from last year that the 10,000 money well that's discretionary I thought you said Community contributions this is new we haven't had this for many years Larry now you're all he didn't lose his money from last year correct you didn't l if you have any discretionary money you still have it I'll explain that to you that you're talking about your all individual correct you are correct any further discussion this is each district gets to use this