JUNE 20, 2017
SUMMARY:
The Lawrence Co. Fiscal Court met for its monthly meeting Tuesday, June 20, 2017 at 10am. Those in attendance were Judge/Exec. John Osborne, Magistrate Rick Blackburn, Magistrate Earl Boggs, Magistrate John Lemaster and Magistrate Morris Howard. The meeting was called to order after the opening prayer and pledge.
Motion by Earl Boggs, second by Morris Howard to approve the minutes of the May16, 2017 meeting
Motion by John Lemaster, second by Rick Blackburn to approve 2nd reading of FY17/18 Budget
Motion by Earl Boggs, second by John Lemaster to approve 2nd reading of Budget Amendment #5
Motion by Rick Blackburn, second by Earl Boggs to approve the Treasurer’s Request
Motion by Rick Blackburn, second by Earl Boggs to approve the monthly Bills
Motion by John Lemaster, second by Morris Howard to approve the Treasurer’s Report
After a discussion from Kelly Ward, representative from the FIVCO regional landfill located in Grahn, Ky, the Court agreed to pay $3,000 for Lawrence Co’s portion of the total amount of $12,000. Carter Co. and Boyd Co. have also agreed to pay. Mr. Ward will present to the Elliott Co. Fiscal Court at its next meeting.
This expense is to cover the required and mandatory inspection of the landfill monthly. Motion by John Lemaster, second by Rick Blackburn. All were in agreement.
Motion by John Lemaster, second by Rick Blackburn to adopt the Resolution of the LC Fiscal Court Authorizing the Filing of a Ky. Local Government Economic Dev. Fund House Bill 303 Projects in the amount of $26,000.
Motion by Earl Boggs,second by Rick Blackburn to approve the Fiscal Court donation for the 4th of July ($100)
Motion by John Lemaster, second by Rick Blackburn to approve the reduction of Speed on Mattie Rd to 35mph.
Motion by John Lemaster, second by Earl Boggs to appoint John Osborne to the Big Sandy Regional Jail Board
Separate motions: bids on material
1. Bid on gravel — Big Sandy Resources
2. Bid on blacktop — Mountain Enterprises
3. Gravel pick up — Mountain Enterprises
Catrina Vargo updated the court on Economic Development action
* Huge turnout for the Amteck’s free commercial electrician apprenticeship training info. Great training and job opportunity.
* Reasons why Braidy Industries could not locate in Lawrence County and how vital it is that prime Lawrence County land be developed. The Greenup Co. company will still benefit Lawrence and surrounding counties by creating jobs and drawing in more industry.
* She also spoke about the recently passed Right to Work law and prevailing wage. KY is the last county in the south to pass the right to work law, and was the primary reason Braidy Industries even considered KY as a site for their company.
* The One East KY team is in France this week recruiting businesses and marketing eastern KY. OEK is a regional economic development organization which covers Lawrence County, and works closely with the Lawrence County Economic Development Dept.
* Tourism was a major topic. It is the 3rd largest industry in KY, and has increased in Lawrence County from $12,500,000 generated revenue in 2012 to $15,215,532 in 2016.
* 6,033 households in Lawrence County paid $415 LESS in local and state taxes in 2016 due to tax revenue generated by tourist spending. $887 billion dollars was spent last year on outdoor recreation in KY. Vargo said, “we need to build on the assets we already have and develop the ones that are just sitting here.”
* Announced that Louisa will be applying to state tourism cabinet for Trail Town status.
* Two projects that were submitted in the former AML grant will be resubmitted for the 2nd round of funding.
* A company that was scheduled for a site visit on May 24, had to cancel, but planned to reschedule. KY Mountain Regional Recreation Authority (House Bill 156), will become law on June 30. Lawrence County will belong to the Southeast KY (SKY) Trail portion, another huge step forward in tourism for all of eastern KY.
* The LC Fiscal Court was presented with a check on May 30th for the KEAP grant from AEP. These funds will go toward the Teleworks projects that will create jobs using available broadband technology. As soon as the USDA grant funding comes through, the project can begin.
The meeting was then adjourned.
