County To Close On Animal Shelter Property: Saves $13K With Seller's Penalty

Darren Doyle, story:
Edmonson County Fiscal Court voted to approve final payments for the proposed animal shelter property at today's fiscal court meeting. The closing is scheduled for later today, where the county will pay a total balance of $71,449.38. The reduced balance is a result of $15,000 in penalties that were accrued by the seller Rollin Rountree, by failing to vacate the premises by the required date. Each week that Rountree went past the deadline reduced the county's balance--originally $85K--by one thousand dollars. 

On September 23, 2019, magistrates voted to purchase the 12-acre property for a price of $105,000. The terms of the deal were as follows: the county paid $20,000 down with the balance of $85K being paid once the seller moves completely from the property, which was supposed to be June 1, 2020, then extended to July 1, 2020, penalty-free by the fiscal court. Rountree was also required in the agreement to provide a clear title to the county upon completion of purchase.

During the last fiscal court meeting, Judge Executive Wil Cannon said the lien against the property was around $80K, which was higher than the balance owed. While Cannon said the county always knew the property had a lien; however, the reduced balance due to the seller's accrued penalties would not be enough to release the lien.  The seller and the bank were working together at the time of the last fiscal court meeting to reduce the amount of the current lien so that the county's final payment would allow them to obtain the property free and clear.

Since that time, the seller and the lien holder have worked together to provide a solution for the county that will allow the county to obtain the property with a clear title at today's closing.

Once completed, the 12-acre property, located on Veterans Memorial HWY (KY HWY 259), will be purchased for $91,449.38, (closing costs included) instead of the original $105,000 agreed-upon price. County Treasurer Tammi Willhite said the documents would be filed at the County Clerk's Office on Tuesday, where the county will take possession of the property.

"We had a final inspection at the property last Wednesday to make sure all the stuff was gone and everything was okay," said Judge Cannon. "At this time, we have no projected date on when improvements to the property will begin, but we're working on a layout of the property now. We'll be coordinating where the animal shelter will sit, and we want to make sure that's going to be what's in the best interest of the neighbors for noise and things of that nature, and then where the road department will use it, along with the sheriff," he said. "The animal shelter use will be the priority for the property."

Cannon also said that a gate at the entrance of the property will be installed.

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Road Report: County Road Supervisor Greg Carroll said crews have been busy with tile, ditch, patching, and paving work in all districts along with finishing of mowing right-of-ways. He also noted that the department had recently been plagued with several thousand dollars in truck and equipment repairs.

County Clerk Kevin Alexander reported that early in-person voting was underway and with mail-in ballots and in-person voting, approximately 1600 votes had already been cast in Edmonson County. "I believe we’ll get to election day and have 35% of the county's voters already casting their vote," he said. He reminded the court that all county precincts will be open on election day.

Parks and Rec: A.B. Webb, Parks and Rec Director said this year's soccer league wrapped up last week and youth league basketball was near it's season start. He announced the upcoming Halloween in the Park at Chalybeate Sport Complex on Saturday, October 31st, and announced more vandalism at local parks. He said bathrooms, signage, and other areas of Chalybeate Park had been vandalized extensively and that the county was still looking into camera and security system options.

County Wide Cleanup Update: Mike Clubb, who helps organize the annual event, reported that 27 dumpsters were filled during last week's event and over 5 tons of materials were recycled, which will provide revenue for the county's general fund. He said that the agreement with the county and Scott Waste is for Scott to provide 12 dumpsters; however, they have consistently provided the amount needed for the event. Clubb said the event has helped to eliminate most roadside dumping spots and allows county residents to dispose of large items that won't fit in a standard trash bin.

The court also voted to:

• Acknowledge Edmonson County Ambulance District 2020 tax rates.
• Approve Treasurer’s September monthly settlement.
• Approve quarterly financial statement for 1st quarter, FY 2021.
• Acknowledge Treasurer’s appropriations quarterly report.
• Acknowledge Treasurer’s cash receipts quarterly report.
• Approve Treasurer to close E911 checking account at Limestone Bank; and to open E911 checking account at Bank of Edmonson County.
• Approve County Attorney to prepare a release with Carlton Alexander on sign work located on Denham Road.

The next Edmonson County fiscal court meeting is scheduled for November 9th at 9AM.