Fiscal Court Moves Forward With Courthouse, Community Center Porch Project

Darren Doyle, story:
Magistrates voted to move forward with preparation for a new porch and facelift project for the Edmonson County Courthouse and Community Center. 

​The entrances of both buildings have been in need of improvements for years but budgetary constraints have been hinderances in those projects. 

In July of 2023, county magistrates approved $430K of ARPA funding for a facelift project that began as a vision from the Preserving Edmonson Pride (PEP) group in the summer of 2019. The project on the Courthouse Square included a new porch and a connection to the Community Center, however, those plans were put on hold soon after, due to unforeseen requirements and additional hidden costs of moving utilities that would have greatly exceeded the budget.

According to the plans, the new porch on the Courthouse will start from the existing top level of the side entrance facing East Main and extend past the ends of each outer window on the Courthouse. Additionally, the old awning over the door will be replaced by a permanent roof structure.

The Community Center would also benefit with a new porch on the same side as the one on the Courthouse, facing the same street. That porch would be covered and approximately 13 feet deep and the same width as the entire side of the building.

The front of the building would see a new covered entrance. While it wouldn't receive a new covered porch like the E. Main, it would have a new facade all down the front that would match.

​District 2 Magistrate T.J. Massey has led the effort to see it through as magistrates agreed for the planning to proceed during yesterday's Fiscal Court meeting. Another part of the facelift plan has already been completed, with the repainting of the Community Center. 

Massey told the Edmonson Voice that the next phase will focus on enhancing accessibility and community use, and that another part of the project is a new curved sign on the Jackson Street side, thanks to the Edmonson County Tourism Commission and a grant they have secured for that purpose.

"I expect Fiscal Court to approve the project to go out for bid on April 27, 2026, with bids scheduled to be opened at the final Fiscal Court meeting in May," Massey said. "Upon approval and acceptance of bids, construction is expected to begin as soon as possible."

Mag. Massey said the project is about more than just the buildings.

"It’s about investing in our community and taking pride in the places that bring people together. We are making more space for that. I fully support these improvements because when we take care of what we have and continue to build on it, we create something our community can be proud of for years to come."

He added that his choice would be to have the project done sometime this year, but wouldn't be able to provide an accurate timeline until the bidding process was complete and construction begins.

​First Reading of New County Road Ordinance:
Magistrates also voted to approve County Resolution EC 26-10, which updates the guidelines for roads being adopted into the county road system.

Those updates included the following:
​General Requirements (All Roads)

• Occupied house every 0.3 mi or 3 houses per mile.
• 30-ft right-of-way (40 ft for subdivisions) with approved ditches.
• Must be a mail route, school bus route, or farm-to-market road.
• Dead-end roads need 60-ft bus turnaround.
• Requires licensed surveyor plat & deed to county.

Construction Standards

• New roads (post-1/1/2019): 3" base + 3" dense grade; 2" bituminous base + 1" surface.
  • Non-subdivision: 16-ft top, 2-ft shoulders, 2:1 slopes.
  • Subdivision: 18-ft top, 3:1 fill slopes; requires supervisor inspection.
• Existing roads (as of 1/1/2019): Same base & 16-ft top standards.
• Petitioner/developer pays 50% of Year 1 maintenance.

Exceptions

• Petition possible for unpaved roads (pay paving costs).
• Deviations approved by Road Supervisor or Fiscal Court (via magistrate).

Resolution EC 26-12: Water District to Transfer Sewer Service to Caveland Sanitation for 57 Customers​

Magistrates also approved Resolution EC 26-12, which is the handover of a small, 57-customer sewer operation from the county Water District to the neighboring sanitation authority for better efficiency and lower costs for residents.

Key points are as follows:

• The Water District currently serves approximately 57 sewer customers in the Hilltop area (northern portion of Brownsville city limits).
• The system is adjacent to and interconnected with Caveland’s facilities, which already treat the sewage from these customers.
• After review, the Water District concluded that Caveland can operate and maintain the system more efficiently, resulting in cost savings for customers.
• The transfer is subject to approval by the Kentucky Public Service Commission.
• It will be carried out according to the terms of an Asset Purchase Agreement (attached to the resolution).

The Fiscal Court also voted to:

• Acknowledge Edmonson County Extension District Board Fiscal Year 2027 Budget.
• Approve to appoint Anthony Lindsey to Planning Commission for a 4 year term, effective 4/1/2026 and expiring 4/1/2030.
• Approve and Adopt Ordinance EC26-28, Budget Amendment. Second Reading, which allow the county to receive and spend the newly acquired $1.45M in state funding for HWY 70 Park improvements.
• Acknowledge Scottie and Ethel Woodcock Proclamation for 75 years of marriage.
• Appoint Tammie Carrier to Board of Assessment Appeals for a 3 year term, effective 5/1/2026 and expiring 5/1/2029.