Fiscal Court Recap: County Grants Extension To Animal Shelter Property Seller

Darren Doyle, story:
The seller of the property purchased by the county last year for the purpose of a future animal shelter was granted a penalty-free extension on clearing out the property by the Edmonson County Fiscal Court in a vote today.

Rollin Rountree sold the property to Edmonson County Fiscal Court in September of 2019 for the purpose of a future animal shelter and county storage. Stipulations in the purchase contract said the seller would be penalized $1000 per week for time spent at the property past the acquisition date, which is June 1, 2020. Personal property of the seller still remains at the site which includes multiple vehicles and various pieces of large equipment. 

Mr. Rountree spoke to the fiscal court today and said the property where the vehicles and property were going to be moved had been too wet to do so and he simply couldn't do it in the time period since September. He said many of the items were moved over the weekend but he still needed more time and asked the court for an extension. He also said he had no intention of still being on the property now when he sold the land to the county back in September.

Judge Cannon said a penalty-free extension would neither hurt the county nor cost the county any more money as nothing yet had been put in place for the use of the property. He suggested magistrates make the motion to allow an extension through July 1st. A motion was made by Magistrate James Vincent and seconded by Magistrate Johnny Brooks with a unanimous vote yes. Mr. Rountree thanked the court for their understanding.

The majority of today's meeting was dedicated to issues with money owed to the county from The Edmonson County Tourism Commission and a former tourism employee, which can be read about here. 

There were a few reports given to the court from county offices:

County Road Supervisor Greg Carroll said ​crews had been installing tiles on Denham Road, Alexander Creek Road, Sulphur Road, Villa Drive, Cedar Grove Church Road, and Reagan Road. He said mowing crews were in district 5 and were moving a bit slower than normal due to low manpower. He also said crews were still working on paving various roads. He said the county insurance on the recent backhoe resulted in $36K claim from the insurance company and he was currently on the hunt for a similar model that could be purchased for around that amount.

Sheriff Shane Doyle said his office was continuing to work with the Corps of Engineers for patrol around the Nolin Lake and campground areas through a yearly contract and that it was working smoothly. He also reported that up until this weekend there had been no issues with Hart County Jail accepting local prisoners during the coronavirus pandemic. He said one prisoner ran a slight fever and was taken to the hospital but even with medical clearance the jail refused to take him. He said the issue was eventually worked out but that the jail's requirements needed to be better outlined to prevent a similar situation in the future. He ended his report by discussing several new drug investigations and that one deputy that had been attending the law enforcement academy was planning on returning in July when virus restrictions are loosened. 

​County Clerk Kevin Alexander reported that his office had been busy throughout the virus pandemic. He said that he knew people were frustrated that certain business couldn't be handled in-person at his office, but there are only a few employees there and they can’t afford for one member of the staff to be sick. He said his office will likely be closed to foot traffic until after election, which is June 23rd. He also noted that most other county clerks where staying closed until July 1.

He reported that the state is recommending absentee voting for all voters. He stressed that there are no local races here, which usually results in a 12-15% turnout. He also noted that even though there was a presidential primary, both republicans and democrats have their candidates set. He said he wasn't a fan of the voting situation but it's what we all have to deal with, currently. He noted that several poll workers had already declined to work polls as a result of health concerns if normal polling places would've been opened. He added that people can still vote in-person at one place, which will be the Community Center, but that ballots can be requested online at GoVoteKY.com or by calling his office at 270-597-2624.

The court also voted to:

​A. Approve County Clerk’s April 2020 Excess Fee Account Report, pending final audit.
B. Acknowledge EMS Week Proclamation.
C. Approve to adopt Huckleberry Lane into Edmonson County Road System, contingent upon receipt of survey and deed transfer.
D. Acknowledge Big Reedy Watershed 2019 Financial Report.
E. Acknowledge Edmonson County Conservation District 2019 Financial Report.
F. Approve to hire Rob Logsdon, full time road department employee, at $12.50 per hour, date of hire 5/18/2020. 
G. Approve to advertise Backhoe Bids
H. Approve to advertise Road Material Bids for FY 20/21.
I. Approve 2020/2021 Waste Tire Grant. (Cannon noted that this was different than tire amnesty, and that this grant allows the county assistance in removing old tires from road sides and other county property).

The next fiscal court meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 8th at 9am at the Edmonson County upstairs courtroom.