Fiscal Court Recap: Discussion Over Concerns At Blue Holler ATV Park

Darren Doyle, story:​
Edmonson County Fiscal Court met today at 9AM in the upstairs courtroom of the courthouse where several discussions took place, including possible litigation against the seller of the future site for a county animal shelter and a special election for District 3 magistrate this November. 

In Sheriff Shane Doyle's update to the fiscal court, he described a series of weekend events at Blue Holler ATV Park as not only problematic for the area, but also for law enforcement and medical personnel. He said his office has received numerous complaints about large gatherings at the park during the pandemic, as well as noise and similar complaints, but he said health regulations as a result of the pandemic are left up to the local health department and the Kentucky State Police, which he said was was the law enforcement agency dedicated to enforcing the Governor's executive orders, according to a conversation he said he had with the Attorney General's Office.

"We don't have the manpower to police the entire area, plus, we can only enter there on official business if we're responding to a complaint," said Sheriff Doyle. "This weekend, there were multiple medical emergencies at the park that included four different medical helicopter runs, plus additional ambulance runs. It was estimated that as many as 18,000 people attended the park this weekend. We want businesses to do well in our county but it has to be kept under control with regards to public safety. We wrote several citations for riding ATVs on the roadways, but if we'd have started arresting people for public intoxication, we'd have needed five different buses to haul them all away."

Jailer Hank Vincent, who is also a paramedic with Edmonson County Ambulance Service, said five buses wouldn't have held them all. 

"It's overwhelming," said Vincent. "And it's going to get worse out there. I wouldn't be surprised if the next thing you hear out there is a killing."

Doyle said one of his deputies was tied up for 10 hours at the hospital with an individual so drunk he suffered a major medical issue. The individual allegedly refused to cooperate with medical personnel at the site after the health concern and law enforcement had to intervene.

The park is located in the Ollie community in District 5, which is magistrate Johnny Brooks' area.

"When you put that many people in one place like that, there's going to be problems," Brooks said.

Phone calls to Blue Holler ATV Park were not immediately returned.

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​​In other reports given from county offices, County Road Supervisor Greg Carroll said county road crews were busy with tile installation and drainage work as well as mowing throughout the county.

Jailer Hank Vincent reported 14 county inmates currently housed at the Hart County Jail with one on home incarceration.

The county also voted to:

1. Acknowledge Dog Control July CAD/Duty Status Report.
2. Acknowledge July Shelter Directors Report.
3. Approve Resolution EC 20-26, Affiliation Agreement with South Central Kentucky Crime Stoppers.
4. Approve FY21 Litter Abatement Grant Application.
5. Approve to Appoint Barbara Fitzhugh to Barren River Council on Aging for 2 year term.
6. Approve to refund Anthem Health Insurance COVID Relief Credit to employees at $56.00 per employee on health plan.
7. Approve Treasurer’s July Monthly Settlement.
8. Approve Sheriff’s July Monthly Fee Account Report, pending final audit.
9. Approve Sheriff’s July Franchise Tax Report, pending final audit.
10. Approve County Clerk’s July MVAV Collection Report, pending final audit.
11. Approve County Clerk’s July Occupational Tax Report, pending final audit.
12. Approve County Clerk’s July Deed Transfer Tax Report, pending final audit.
13. Approve County Clerk’s July Excess Fee Account Report, pending final audit.
14. Approve County Clerk’s July Delinquent Tax Collection Report, pending final audit.

​The next fiscal court meeting is scheduled for August 24, 2020 at 9AM.