[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6565200,"mediaKeyId","3224568-ed24df1a637ee291e741769174d5ac24","parentId",3224568,"title","Votes at a glance: Oldham County Fiscal Court actions, May 6, 2025","audioSeconds",1071,"startMs",6013000,"endMs",7084000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3224568-ed24df1a637ee291e741769174d5ac24&start=6013&end=7084","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3224568-ed24df1a637ee291e741769174d5ac24/thumbnail_6013000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6565200/Oldham-County/Kentucky/Votes-at-a-glance-Oldham-County-Fiscal-Court-actions-May-6-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6565200-aa09c323b0b30b0cc430cff748611eaf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770502695&Signature=HtN1Bo0EjfsJet8zqCnlBEzAce8SVoX7erRFwdfyUcYh5AIPFqDoYEyQWX7XuiyyhRQEQrT4fCjLrzoK59xSOMxHQkebeW3UIXDZljgnam4CigRxvtoSHUl2k87kAVu5C4PHPwqql2rcOh3OfCgrelyq0UNdYsdzUUi0HbSlmYS~G0X5n3hlH5Sf4fSEOtvxGhNPkk7TlgWvZdCZJYWswaddMWYLylRxyNQ5YuFs2ATsoi4pW7T8~yDOV230w-kADlDlPwgjI4FScop~kGpGEVO993RJ~ZBPv3VRsPQh8Fijm~zpWMpGKtQYN0HVQEbCycY2uL7T-pwUvOiAbdWUJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Oldham County","date","2025-05-07T22:09:51Z","article","Oldham County Fiscal Court completed a number of routine and project-specific actions at its May 6 meeting. Below are the motions, outcomes and key details recorded on the meeting docket.

Rollington Road: contract award

- Action: Contract award to Libs Paving Company for the Rollington Road roadway and drainage improvement project.
- Amount: $1,142,919.50 (apparent low bid later determined ineligible); the stormwater board agreed to pay 50% of the award.
- Reason: The apparent low bidder failed to use the addendum and required bid form; county recommended award to the next responsive bidder.
- Outcome: Approved by the court.

Hidden Valley Road: bank stabilization

- Action: Contract with Guardian Retention System for bank stabilization on Hidden Valley Road.
- Amount: $140,553.82; Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Rural and Municipal Aid will reimburse $100,000 after completion, leaving an estimated county share of roughly $40,553.82.
- Outcome: Approved (motion carried 8-1; Magistrate Logsdon recorded a no vote).

Investment policy (bank investment trustees)

- Action: Updated investment policy to give Stockyards Bank authority to make fixed-income investments under narrowly defined parameters to capture higher yields when appropriate.
- Outcome: Policy change approved by the court; county staff said the change allows quicker execution on time-sensitive bond purchases and remains limited to KRS-compliant fixed-income instruments.

Dispatch mobile command post (AT&T) and LanguageLine

- Action: Approved an AT&T participation agreement and purchase for a Vesta mobile command-post system (one-time equipment cost noted at $35,100). The device would allow dispatch to set up a mobile extension of the county\u000027s telephone system in the event the dispatch center must evacuate or operate remotely.
- Action: Approved a LanguageLine contract to move language-translation services from pay-as-you-go to a contracted rate, which county staff said reduces per-minute costs.
- Outcome: Both agreements were approved.

Vaughn Pettit legal services (planning appeal)

- Action: Retain Vaughn Pettit legal group to assist planning and development with an appeal of the planning director\u000027s classification of a proposed data center; county attorney had a conflict due to a prior relationship with the appellant.
- Outcome: Approved.

Waste-tire grant

- Action: Authorized Judge Vogel to sign the annual Kentucky Transportation Cabinet grant application for parochial-school transportation and to submit the county\u000027s estimate of $82,002.08 for reimbursement of private-school student transport costs.
- Outcome: Approved.

Personnel and appointments

- Action: The court approved several routine personnel actions (seasonal hires, maintenance and animal-control promotions) and accepted a resignation from a county police officer.
- Action: Appointed Howard Farrell to the Sheriff's Merit Board (term to Feb. 2026) and reappointed Michael Pate to the ethics commission (term to May 7, 2028). The sheriff noted a reappointment of Clay Jones to the Sheriff\u000027s Merit Board had previously been handled.
- Outcome: Approved.

Other routine business

- Action: Payables and the first reading of the fiscal 2026 budget were presented and the court approved paying bills; the budget first reading was completed with the second reading scheduled per the county's calendar.

Where to find more details

The planning commission will hear the data-center moratorium on May 27. Contract documents, bid tabulations and minutes contain full vote language and contract terms; county staff said they will publish procurement documents per procurement rules and KRS requirements.

Ending

The court completed project awards, policy updates and routine personnel and grant-authority actions. The Hidden Valley stabilization vote was the only recorded roll-call tally (8-1).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Oldham County Fiscal Court May 6 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Rollington Road contract award, Hidden Valley bank stabilization, investment-policy changes, equipment and contracts for dispatch, and a series of personnel and board appointments were approved by the court. Hidden Valley stabilization passed 8-1.","taxTitle","Oldham County, Kentucky","taxId",72448,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6565205,"Public commenter cites 1997 court ruling as basis for stricter executive-session notices; judge accepts AG finding on earlier closed meeting",5440,185000,5625000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3224568-ed24df1a637ee291e741769174d5ac24&start=185&end=5625","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3224568-ed24df1a637ee291e741769174d5ac24/thumbnail_185000.jpg","/articles/6565205/Oldham-County/Kentucky/Public-commenter-cites-1997-court-ruling-as-basis-for-stricter-executive-session-notices-judge-accepts-AG-finding-on-earlier-closed-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6565205-cc8795ba65793d947a9362e36d7d82bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770502695&Signature=c97oQcm6U-oohMZXLReGi0XfhJhE0V3DTbbeJEtcPNhQ6O6GW~szgL4kANIdF~p-XeCzpWD0kahJzZOOh2jl-1LxqYh9tnTYafROajP8vZ7~KRb8PDDiJNhrss6rP7~WKFaMK9Rvit~TnT0ITXtn~1Ewdk56xp26gJ1FTEFYIcpzOCqXYB18oPRd5OQprOZ9oz8HL42eIex6EjNzaKBoIKmvYS57VS3TXLkF2avbemPqj4Kl6gIXvOLoplr8XJWou8a12ii8y3ZRA4xB78Dbx1k0gbsA9aW56m1AHRtjGhE~EY6avBwkTDLo43IGHu8uAht-RAtjDc7NRluLXU85xQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A longtime Oldham County resident told the fiscal court on Tuesday that the county and other local agencies need to tighten their practices when moving into closed (executive) sessions, citing a 1997 circuit-court decision that clarifies how agencies must describe topics before sealing a meeting.

Albert Harrison, speaking during public comment, reviewed his multi-year complaint history with the county\u000027s ethics commission and the attorney general\u000027s office and urged the court to add specific, written descriptions of subjects to be discussed before entering executive session.

Harrison said the controlling language requires that \"there must be specific and complete notification in the public meeting of any and all topics which are to be discussed during the closed meeting.\" He urged training on the Open Meetings Act and Robert's Rules of Order for local officials.

Judge Vogel acknowledged an attorney general opinion that found fault with the fiscal court\u000027s use of an executive session earlier in the year to discuss a possible incentive for a data-center project. Vogel said the court accepted the AG's finding and would not contest it in court, calling the issue \"not worth arguing about.\" He reiterated a commitment to transparent public processes.

Why it matters

Kentucky law and court precedent govern what public bodies may discuss in executive sessions and require specific descriptions of the subject matter. The county's practices — and any departures from statutory or case-law requirements — can prompt complaints to the attorney general and, in some cases, litigation.

Public education and recommendations

Harrison recommended in-person training for county and city officials on the Open Meetings Act and Robert's Rules, and said those materials would help reduce avoidable legal exposure. He also urged that the county consult the circuit-court opinion cited in his case (Judge Crosby's 1997 opinion) and that elected officials ensure their motions provide the specificity the law demands.

Ending

Judge Vogel said the court accepted the AG\u000027s ruling related to the earlier executive session and invited further written materials on training and procedure. Harrison said he would follow up with county staff.","A resident urged the fiscal court to follow a 1997 circuit-court decision on executive-session notices and Robert\u000027s Rules; the judge acknowledged a prior attorney-general finding faulting the court for an executive session and said the court accepted the ruling.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6565209,"Harmony Village residents thank Oldham County after April flood; cleanup continues",438,1331000,1769000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3224568-ed24df1a637ee291e741769174d5ac24&start=1331&end=1769","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3224568-ed24df1a637ee291e741769174d5ac24/thumbnail_1331000.jpg","/articles/6565209/Oldham-County/Kentucky/Harmony-Village-residents-thank-Oldham-County-after-April-flood-cleanup-continues","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6565209-598006a897fa90560a992916bfd0ca1a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770502695&Signature=NBJwbwgyeVS1DcQ3LAdz46BoKe2XkwBTqCFBcCGipfvbV9muLJJCT0MO0xRju~YOxMKT-22kwcfzNmdEIN1n0g4FZSKdjLv8F0T4ZqqaoxBrWwLqbnHByV6Uni3xYKRn6btPx3hSIbfWiYVAFPT-MUkH-7eTaNjVmesBu0FJveM991G7sY-31ZK4UT044T54RdsCta-xYAgVguiEys-AZSWSHUtpFY3K0I5RhIg4s~FWY9QVfDEnE5KohIRZ8E2BNKt0cF70upjScXYgrKSuWx-4PCut6AYe74icDBiASBFzi8ZNSMlI~pX0mzsBjZ1bFmr0gbmO2jYHcas-MlmNLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents of Harmony Village told the Oldham County Fiscal Court on Tuesday that they are still recovering from an April flood that left homes without power and streets impassable.

Cindy Harbin, a Harmony Village resident who helped form a flood committee with two homeowners associations, described 10 days without power for about 40 homes in her neighborhood and widespread mud and damage. She thanked county staff, the road crews, Oldham County Emergency Management and the Red Cross for daily support during the response and cleanup.

\"We were quite shocked that we were in the middle of a flood,\" Harbin said. \"But there were people there to help us get that done. And I can't tell you enough that if I sound like I'm passionate about these folks, I am because this was a flood. They saw me.\"

What residents described

Harbin said volunteers and neighbors cleared roads, county crews provided dumpsters, and county staff and contractors checked on homes. She said some residents still do not have power and that cleanup would continue for weeks. She asked the court to recognize the county staff who worked every day during the response.

County response and FEMA status

Oldham County officials acknowledged the ongoing cleanup. Emergency management director Zach Wilt was mentioned as coordinating FEMA-designation efforts; Harbin said the county had not received FEMA disaster designation at the time of her remarks, and county staff confirmed they were seeking available state and federal assistance.

Judge David Vogel thanked Harbin and other residents for their comments and praised county staff for what he called a strong emergency response.

Ending

Residents said they will continue to work with county staff through a newly formed flood committee and homeowners associations to complete cleanup and recovery over the coming weeks.","Residents at Harmony Village and nearby neighborhoods described extended outages and damage from April storms and praised county crews, emergency management and volunteers for response and ongoing cleanup.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6565213,"Oldham County Schools report pay increases, new programs and multi-year facilities plans",2372,1797000,4169000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3224568-ed24df1a637ee291e741769174d5ac24&start=1797&end=4169","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3224568-ed24df1a637ee291e741769174d5ac24/thumbnail_1797000.jpg","/articles/6565213/Oldham-County/Kentucky/Oldham-County-Schools-report-pay-increases-new-programs-and-multi-year-facilities-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6565213-093d8d1f4c6964e632a957c8235ed781/orig.mp4?Expires=1770502695&Signature=gfoZTpaX0YOkD1JjEgLj2fSg9d9u9mqPmGwqTGXtgyTUpUtFxydYO6afmvH9qtvSdR7FKiJLehP~pmfsp3Z5-DYOTbu6UIorJukGxmcPAytKGv5L9UpJlR340Bax9nSThP8SurfSxxGeU~tApMIR~D450~hxqdtpe3Jw4H3BdbLjAiIxS05jbYhQNJTNI2hlhawmzbqgXU0~ijv01rwcvWpWhcU07Vu3uPTZOPD~ubm7oXc8TVQqcB5ngUf4vMPorb3HWhU6lVm527yqigZCGkdRJe2smxJMK8fHMMdSAWDfDIX48RS~fU5~n8xcrTqymxjQ~pUQBQeHvW6PYrcO7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Jason Radford, superintendent of Oldham County Schools, gave the fiscal court an annual district update on staffing, pay, student programs and facility projects on Tuesday.

Radford said district leaders have prioritized staff pay and retention: the district has delivered roughly a 12% increase in base pay over the last three years and distributed about $8 million in one-time stipends to employees during that period.

\"We've worked really hard to try to take care of them so that they can take care of our kiddos,\" Radford said, summarizing the district's emphasis on recruitment and retention.

Key items Radford reported

- Salaries: The board approved a 5% raise for all employees and an additional $2-an-hour increase for classified (hourly) staff. Radford said first-year teacher pay has been raised from about $37,295 to just under $49,000 for newly hired teachers under the current schedule.

- One-time and recurring supports: The district gave $8 million in one-time stipends over three years and plans to continue targeted recurring stipends for hard-to-fill roles. For students in need, the board approved $100 per pupil for students who qualify for free or reduced lunch and $100 per pupil for technology funding to be distributed to schools.

- Programs: Liberty Academy, the district\u000027s virtual school created last year, enrolled about 100 students and will hold its fifth graduation this spring.

- Staffing and student fees: The board approved an additional staff member at each middle school (four positions total, about $260,000) and voted to reduce the student fees schedule by $40 per student, to be funded from carry-forward funds.

- Special education and high-need roles: Radford said the district will add targeted stipends for the most intensive special-education positions: $7,000 for teachers in those classrooms and $3,500 for support staff, intended to reduce reliance on contracted services.

Facilities and capital projects

Radford announced several multi-year facility priorities and status updates:

- Butler (currently listed as an \u000022alternative\u000022 campus in district materials) is slated for a new facility intended to remove the \"alternative\" label; Radford said the project will take about two years once started.

- South Oldham High School will undergo a major renovation beginning this summer, a two- to three-year project that includes a planned addition of 24 classrooms.

- Oldham County High School will receive a core renovation and upgrades to HVAC and plumbing in a later phase after work at South Oldham stabilizes.

- The district is seeking a new LaGrange Elementary location and says it has made progress, but officials declined to provide a final site at the meeting.

Finances and enrollment

Radford said the district's general fund is healthy: revenues for fiscal 2025 closed above budget and expenses were below projections, allowing the board to provide employee stipends rather than deposit those funds into savings. He estimated the general-fund operating budget \"about $100 to $120 million,\" not counting restricted grants and food-service operations.

Enrollment is roughly 12,000 students K-12, Radford said, and the district\u000027s enrollment dipped during 2020-22 but has stabilized and started to grow again. Radford also noted that state-recommended classroom staffing ratios remain unchanged; Oldham County currently allocates roughly 23.2 students per classroom teacher on average.

Public questions and next steps

Magistrates asked about fiber and broadband gains across the county and the potential fiscal impact of large economic development projects, including a proposed data center. Radford said he had not been contacted by data-center developers about tax abatements but has discussed general economic-development scenarios with court leadership.

Dr. Radford also announced his retirement; the school board is scheduling interviews and expects to name a successor in May.

Ending

Radford told the court the district will continue to use carry-forward funds to support student programs and those targeted pay and stipend initiatives as the district prepares for anticipated growth in enrollment and capital demands.","Superintendent Dr. Jason Radford updated the Fiscal Court on district staffing, pay raises, a virtual academy and multi-year renovation plans that include a new Butler facility, major renovations at South Oldham and Oldham County High.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6565218,"Oldham County moves to pause data-center approvals while planning, legal review proceed",399,4425000,4824000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3224568-ed24df1a637ee291e741769174d5ac24&start=4425&end=4824","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3224568-ed24df1a637ee291e741769174d5ac24/thumbnail_4425000.jpg","/articles/6565218/Oldham-County/Kentucky/Oldham-County-moves-to-pause-data-center-approvals-while-planning-legal-review-proceed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6565218-2f8cc2bbf7719ec7cd46348a8399f516/orig.mp4?Expires=1770502695&Signature=XEvneIcyZC9v0Otr~eSsvAvXcsO-eEigL9K0IiWcrzmjId9qBvOSWvUQnazwgATTDkFSOR65dszNVgG1CucyLSCfQsur1DKyrCp08jQgnONrAmKH9viskwuhN48GqQFgusRlfjQe4Uk~9RhTBEoQc4iIv1ZWQ99TUmB~j5AwCkJ2MRhr31L8AbIr8dUblSqCtbXnkNXeh4WhgPS1P79RailQj9k7QeLiUUIDsxzRV7iCfUMz7qj8~Q~08UKKRIahDPlkbar~zB55ns-QCLSvP9QuiX4OEZ3Taxcfznit0X~xIQexv1EYTw9ZrOlcrSXdDfOBSVN4e1osS59jJk1E6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Oldham County Fiscal Court on Tuesday asked planning staff to seek a 150-day moratorium on new data-center development while county planners, a study committee and outside counsel review how data centers fit in local zoning.

The court also authorized outside legal counsel to assist county planning staff after an appeal was filed over the planning director\u000027s initial classification of a proposed data center as a \"private utility,\" a designation now the subject of a community appeal. The Board of Adjustments application and any subsequent appeals will proceed while the moratorium and regulatory study continue.

Why it matters: The county has drawn intense public attention because data centers are large, long-term investments with unusual demands for power, water and telecommunications. County officials say a moratorium would give planners time to draft appropriate zoning language and study what uses and locations are acceptable in Oldham County.

Planning timeline and next steps

Ryan Fisher, Oldham County planning and development director, told the court the planning commission will consider the proposed moratorium at its May 27 meeting. Judge David Vogel and planning staff described a possible timeline in which the fiscal court could take a first reading in early June and a second reading later in the month, depending on publication deadlines and the planning commission\u000027s recommendations.

Fisher said the county\u000027s study group has reviewed three working definitions of \"data center\" and will continue meetings with stakeholders and subject-matter experts before drafting an ordinance.

Appeal, outside counsel and conflicts

The planning director\u000027s classification of the project as a private utility has been appealed by a member of the public. Because County Attorney Barry Baxter said he previously represented the appellant, the court approved hiring the Vaughn Pettit legal group to advise planning and zoning on the appeal and related procedural matters. The court recorded hourly rates for the outside counsel in the motion it approved.

Judge Vogel told the meeting he wanted to be clear about the process and about public concerns: \"There are no backroom deals going on. There are no secret transactions underway,\" he said, urging transparent study and public input.

Background outreach and technical review

Judge Vogel and other court members reported a recent delegation trip to Loudoun County, Virginia, a national center for data centers, to observe facilities and talk with local officials. Vogel said the tour reinforced how much of the nation\u000027s Internet traffic flows through Loudoun: \"When someone says, something's in the cloud, in other words, you really mean it's in Loudoun, Virginia. Loudoun, Virginia is the cloud,\" he said.

The court also agreed to continue work by a local study committee and to consider hiring a consultant if needed; county staff said a moratorium could make immediate consultant work unnecessary.

Public comment and politics

Court members acknowledged strong public interest and criticism on social media. Vogel asked opponents and proponents alike to bring concerns to public meetings rather than rely on online accusations. \"We're neighbors here too,\" he said.

What the moratorium would do

The proposed ordinance would pause permitting for new data-center uses for up to 150 days while the county writes or updates zoning language defining data centers, identifying allowed zones, and developing performance standards (setbacks, utility access, noise and other mitigations). Planning staff said the moratorium would apply countywide and would not affect projects already fully permitted.

Provenance: The planning commission schedule, the moratorium request and Vaughn Pettit approval were discussed at the May 6 fiscal court meeting. The planning-commission hearing was set for May 27; the court discussed first- and second-reading timing in June.

Ending

The planning commission will formally consider the moratorium at its May 27 meeting. If the commission recommends the ordinance, the fiscal court could take readings in June; county staff said they expect additional public comment and technical input before any final zoning change.","Fiscal Court asked planning officials to draft a 150-day moratorium on new data centers and approved outside legal help after an applicant\u000027s classification drew an appeal; planning commission will hear the moratorium in late May.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Oldham County Fiscal Court actions, May 6, 2025

Public commenter cites 1997 court ruling as basis for stricter executive-session notices; judge accepts AG finding on earlier closed meeting

Harmony Village residents thank Oldham County after April flood; cleanup continues

Oldham County Schools report pay increases, new programs and multi-year facilities plans

Oldham County moves to pause data-center approvals while planning, legal review proceed