November 22, 2017
LOUISA, KY. — In the regular November Lawrence County fiscal court meeting the magistrates voted unanimously to accept the 2018 sheriff’s and county clerk’s budgets which were nearly identical to the previous year.
The clerk’s budget is $3,994,375 with an expected amount of excess fees of $42,407. The court also voted to set the maximum amount for clerk Chris Jobe’s deputies at $316,620 plus $24,221.43 for FICA payments. Motion by John J. Lemaster and second by Rick Blackburn.
The sheriff’s budget will total $605,733.74 with no estimated carry-over and the maximum amount for deputies in 2018 is $330,580. plus $16,746.80 and $3,916.45 for FICA and other expenses. There was no estimate for excess fees listed on the report. Motion by Earl Boggs, second by Morris Howard.
“My budget has been the same for the past seven plus years,” Sheriff Garrett Roberts told the court.
In housekeeping business the court:
Approved minutes of the October 17th, 2017 Meeting
Approved 1st Reading of Budget Amendment #3
Approved 2nd Reading of Budget #2
Approved Treasurer’s Request
Approved Bills
Approved Treasurer’s Report
Also included on the 25 item agenda were the following:
* Approved to close Hwy 32 Sewer Bank Account and Transfer Funds to General Fund. Judge/Executive John Osborne explained this was done because the county voted to turn its part of the sewer business over to the city of Louisa two months ago. Motion by Rick Blackburn, second by John J. Lemaster.
* Approved to Reimburse Sheriff for Overpayment of 2016 Excess Fees Per Auditor $9,695.12. Motion Earl Boggs, second John J. Lemaster.
* Authorized Judge Exec. Osborne to sign an agreement between Ky. Office of Homeland Security & the Fallsburg Fire Dept. for a grant in the amount of $17,600. Fallsburg Asst. Fire Chief Chris Jobe said the funding is for equipment such as turn-out gear and other necessary items. Motion Morris Howard, second by John J. Lemaster.
* Approved Sheriff’s State Advancement to run the office until tax payments are collected. Motion Rick Blackburn and second by John J. Lemaster.
* Approved Sheriff’s 2016 Franchise Settlement of $39.45. Motion Rick Blackburn and second John J. Lemaster.
* Voted unanimously to approve Osborne’s appointment of two new members of the LC Extension District Board, Sara Sexton and Jerrie Cossett. Motion by Morris Howard and second by John J. Lemaster.
* Approved a 40 year lease of the riding stables at the LC park to the LC Saddle Club. The details of the lease were not discussed. Osborne said the original lease was up this year and the new one is as was requested by the Sara Copley of the Saddle Club and will extend from Feb. 2018 until Feb 2052.
* Tim Whitehead, a representative of Blackridge Resources asked the court to approve his company’s plan to dig approximately two miles of a 48″ deep ditch line 
for a gas line that will transfer natural gas at Wilbur road and Brushy. He said the work will not begin until next summer and will also include a water line extension in the area. Motion was made by Earl Boggs and second by John J. Lemaster.
Judge Osborne then introduced three items that were not on the original agenda including the purchase of a used tractor known as a ‘Bush Hog’ from the lone bid the court received by Jimmy Marcum of Louisa Construction, Inc. The 2006 Challenger brand tractor had been inspected by Osborne and other members of the court. “We really need this machine to cut the limbs and debris from county roads and it is in really good shape,” Osborne told the court.
Motion was made by Earl Boggs and second by John J. Lemaster.
In Osborne’s second non agenda request Thompson Sanitation was removed from probationary status as one of the county’s six garbage haulers and placed back on the regular list. The court had received several complaints about the company’s work in past months but Osborne said there had only been two in the past three months. “I think we need to keep them on the list because the other haulers won’t be able to pick up the extra trash without Thompson’s,” Osborne advised the court.
Motion was made by John J. Lemaster and second by Earl Boggs to place Thompson Sanitation back on the regular list.
The third request was from Wes Kingsmore of Lawrence Co. Gas Co. for permission to dig a 1.4 mile line from 36″ to 48″ deep which will also include a water line by Big Sandy Water Co. on the Right Fork of George’s Creek and Big Fork Road. Kingsmore said the work will begin immediately but the Big Sandy Water work may not begin until next year.
Motion by John J. Lemaster and second by Rick Blackburn.
The court also approved the hiring of a part-time data processing clerk, Darlene Fletcher at $10 per hour. Ms. Fletcher has been working at the job and sharing duties with Catrina Vargo but Ms. Vargo has taken a full time position with Sullivan University and has resigned from the data processing part of her county job. Ms. Fletcher will now work three days per week and the other two days in the clerk’s office. Vargo will continue serving as Lawrence County Economic Development Coordinator. The amount she is paid for that job was not discussed.
Vargo says “Big Surprise” coming December 15
Economic Development Coordinator, Catrina Vargo, reported highlights from the past three months. Some of the highlights included the opening of the Lawrence Co. Teleworks Hub located at the LC Community Center which produced 14 jobs after the first training session in Sept. “That number is expected to double after the second training session in November. So many people registered that an evening class was added,” Vargo said. “A total of 16 partners came together to make this happen along with funding from a $100,000 USDA grant and a $18,000 KEAP grant.”
Ten business, education professionals and local officials from Lawrence County attended the 2017 SOAR Summit in August including Vargo, Judge Osborne, and County Clerk, Chris Jobe. ” It was really good to have that many people representing Lawrence County. It shows that we are all working together really hard to move our area forward.” she said.
A KPEGG grant was awarded in the amount of $19,500 for a feasibility study regarding sewer treatment options at the proposed Industrial Park at the KY Power site north of Louisa. “This is an effort to attract a large company to the county,” Vargo said.
FIVCO’s 5 yr Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Plan has been updated, and includes a SWOT analysis for Lawrence Co. “We are also working with FIVCO to develop a digital map of all the county’s assets which will be used for business recruitment, tourism, land development, etc.,” Vargo said.
Two projects were submitted for the AML grant (Abandoned Mine Land); $6 million for tourism and $750,000 for an existing business expansion.
The Kentucky Mountain Regional Recreation Authority (KMRRA) which is part of HB 156 signed by Governor Bevin earlier this year is a big plus for KY. Vargo said she could not stress enough the importance of tourism as an economic driver in this area. “Tourism is the 3rd largest industry in the state; with Adventure Tourism rapidly increasing in Lawrence County and all of eastern KY,” she said.
This bill which establishes the recreation authority in KY, allows for funding to develop, connect, maintain, and market trails of all kinds. It also takes the liability off of the property owner which is a huge advantage. “Members of the Lawrence County Tourism Commission recently took a KMRRA representative on a tour of the county. That information will be used for mapping and future development of trail systems, Vargo said. “We have also applied to the state for ‘Trail Town’ certification and are working toward that goal.”
Braidy Industries will be locating in FIVCO’s East Park Industrial Park instead of the South Shore area. “This is great news for Lawrence County; as it is a closer commute for our residents and we will reap some of the tax revenue generated,” Vargo said. “I work closely with One East Kentucky, which is a regional economic development organization that covers nine counties. This year has consisted of about 20 recruitment trips nationally and internationally by their leader, Chuck Sexton, who will be at the December Fiscal Court meeting to talk about some exciting things taking place in our area. OEK reports that 80 companies have said they would consider a location in eastern KY. “This is why landowners in Lawrence County must develop their sites if they expect to attract business and industry. It must be move-in ready in order for companies to locate here, if not, they will go down the road where the land is ready,” Vargo said.
Braidy Industries is expected to attract other companies who will use Braidy as a supplier. “This will be a domino effect,” said Vargo. “When a company invests $1.3 billion in an area, the business world notices. They will now take a second look at eastern KY. In fact, we have another big announcement coming on Dec. 15th. Good things are coming our way.”
