Fiscal Court Discussions: Basketball Goals Vandalized, Possible New Roads To Be Adopted Into County

One of four vandalized basketball goals at Chalybeate Sports Complex.

Darren Doyle, story and photo:
As hard as local parks and recreation personnel work to keep up Edmonson County's parks, vandals seem to always be working just as hard. From broken toilets and sinks, spay-painted graffiti, and now broken basketball backboards, the county is faced with another repair; this time at the Chalybeate Sports Complex.

Parks and Rec Director A.B. Webb said that the plexi-glass backboards had been broken at the Chalybeate facility, something that is not new to local parks. Webb and other county personnel have replaced these in the past, with steel backboards that are not as easily vandalized.

Webb said three out of the four backboards are currently busted out, which will cost around $700 each to replace; however, Webb also said that there was a local group of kids that have discussed possibly spending their own money to ensure at least one is replaced with plexi-glass, or some other similar clear material. Webb said if the county uses park funds to replace the goals, steel boards will be installed.

Also included in Webb's Parks and Rec report was an announcement where a world horseshoe tournament could possibly be held at the Chalybeate horseshoe shelter; however, it was possible the tournament wouldn't be held at all, due to the virus pandemic. In the event a world tournament wouldn't be held, it was possible that a national tournament could be held. 

New County Roads

The court also voted to accept Marvin Way, which is within the Richland Subdivision, off Carnes Road, as well as Huckleberry Lane, which is off Otter Gap Road near the Warren County line. Magistrates approved unanimously to accept both roads. 

Also discussed were two additional roads to be adopted into the county system, which were Miranda Drive and Mallory Lane. Both roads are off Denham Road in Chalybeate. Some who lived on those roads were present at today's meeting and discussed reasons for becoming part of the road system. They included: four families that currently maintain both roads, which are gravel, the roads were constructed using county specs, and it would lengthen the county road system, which could lead to more road tax revenue. Property owners said another reason is that water lines cannot be currently run down the roads because they're not county roads. Instead, hundreds of feet of water line are being run from a joining road.

Once a survey and proper deeding is presented to the court, along with the other final documentation, the court can then vote on whether or not to accept the roads. In the discussion, magistrates spoke in favor of accepting the roads; however, no official vote could be held today.

Census Numbers Still Down In Some Parts of EC

Julie Trovillion from the U.S. Census Bureau spoke about census numbers in Edmonson County still being down. As a whole, the county is only at a 50% response rate, which is below the national average (62%) and the state average (65%). She said the Lincoln area is still the slowest to respond (under 50%) with the Bear Creek/Roundhill areas next, right at 50%. The highest responsive area so far is the Chalybeate/Southern Edmonson County area at 65%. Without proper census numbers the county will not qualify for as much aid through federal programs. The deadline to respond to the census is October 31, 2020.

The court also voted to:

• Approve Treasurer’s June Monthly Settlement Report.
• Approve Judge’s Quarterly Report.
• Acknowledge Dog Control June CAD/Duty Status Report.
• Acknowledge June Shelter Directors Report.
• Approve Sheriff’s June Monthly Fee Account Report, pending final audit.
• Approve Sheriff’s 2019 Franchise Tax Settlement Report, pending final audit.
• Approve Sheriff’s 2019 Tax Settlement Report, pending final audit.
• Approve Sheriff’s 2019 Tax Settlement Fire Dues, pending final audit.
• Approve Resolution EC 20-19, Authorizing & Designation of IDA Resolution.
• Approve Ordinance EC 19-19, Administration Code. Annual approval, no changes.
• Approve KACO Workers Compensation Fund Agreement 2020-2021 Policy Renewal.
• Approve Appointment of David Lindsey to Board of Assessment Appeals, effective July 13, 2020 for 3 year term.
• Approve County Clerk’s June MVAV Collection Report, pending final audit.
• Approve County Clerk’s June Deed Transfer Tax Report, pending final audit.
• Approve County Clerk’s June Occupational Fee Report, Pending final audit.
• Approve County Clerk’s June Delinquent Tax Collection Report, pending final audit.
• Approve Resolution EC 20-22, Collection Agreement with AIRBNB, Inc.

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The court then went into closed session to discuss possible litigation, the subject matter of which was not discussed in open court.

The next fiscal court meeting will be one of the two annual evening meetings, July 27, 2020 at 6pm.