[{"_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",6226974,"mediaKeyId","3497336-fd541068534afe0fec97791c88197193","parentId",3497336,"title","Court reviews Ekden Road emergency repair payment after procurement and bonding questions","audioSeconds",467,"startMs",989000,"endMs",1456000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3497336-fd541068534afe0fec97791c88197193&start=989&end=1456","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3497336-fd541068534afe0fec97791c88197193/thumbnail_989000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6226974/Clark-County/Kentucky/Court-reviews-Ekden-Road-emergency-repair-payment-after-procurement-and-bonding-questions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226974-fe93c8675bfd988111a6d062d3b5cf7d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771028147&Signature=XGG59oLCOuIXRKfVhhFMYJSQfKaJvcmjT6tswOtFQZQxjwqWK7AExXhK6yWmo4ysGrZvIYhwQURO~om24SUL~QyFXIhOaLNzsb2-CnD9aneInkzo5MLoE8o4H5990LzmET9A52hMMznZXZt6~Px2Ob284q-ywkFsIldwKkZiidL8irxaAOk9vNaWsRJTsRxYmaFZCgebBYvcgq-w7qW1F8sX95tMVWg-e-enLGGvalUxC5l4feQOlahwXc3mJpW0UDzG65fqD0ArRM9dRykK9A-N9YoJaUg4mny1MEtpOrEYvcbZ9hNge1vSigAyddN346ZEFQ2y6Rx-LPFDLAsRZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Clark County, KY ","date","2025-05-24T20:58:07.34Z","article","The fiscal court approved a supplemental bills payment for an emergency repair on Ekden Road, but several magistrates pressed staff for details about procurement, contracts, and bonding for the contractor who completed the work.

Officials said the repair was below the county's formal bid threshold and that the vendor completed the work after other bidders could not respond quickly. County personnel explained the work was executed via a purchase order and an invoice submitted for payment rather than a formal multi-year contract.

One magistrate asked whether advertising and procurement procedures were followed and whether the contractor was bonded; a county staff member replied the job was under $30,000 and performed under a purchase order. Another magistrate said a county employee negotiated the work on site with the vendor because the county lacked a road supervisor, and raised concerns a substitute employee was not bonded. The magistrate asked staff to confirm insurance coverage and bonding for workers performing county road repairs.

The court moved the payment and it carried. The court asked staff to provide a follow-up explanation and documentation about the procurement steps used, whether the purchase adhered to the county's procurement rules for work under $30,000, and the employee(s) who negotiated the work on-site.

Why it matters: Procurement and bonding affect county liability and the application of public contracting rules; the court requested documentation and clarification to ensure policy compliance and to avoid future exposure.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","May 22, 2025 Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The fiscal court approved payment for an emergency Ekden Road repair but members questioned whether county procurement procedures and bonding requirements were followed for the contractor who performed the work.","taxTitle","Clark County, Kentucky","taxId",59468,"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},6226979,"Clark County Fire Chief Steve Edensburg submits resignation effective June 4",183,2245000,2428000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3497336-fd541068534afe0fec97791c88197193&start=2245&end=2428","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3497336-fd541068534afe0fec97791c88197193/thumbnail_2245000.jpg","/articles/6226979/Clark-County/Kentucky/Clark-County-Fire-Chief-Steve-Edensburg-submits-resignation-effective-June-4","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226979-38ced1d28cf694e62795fbe7d2f31dca/orig.mp4?Expires=1771028147&Signature=G1jtigDbo5Hl64YkDPmB0qtaizSi70Eqyl7IBqMoYJf4Q7gOSaTZXZvcNqUvNBfZwl7R-bMkoACUAcnyszNxVAcf0wAcKNRki~GyYZT~C54q4zXuwJ-Yeyla76iVA1mYZQpNGFC3442IdpEbjWxU3bENqZBlicOi6DcWxGHJcj-ntEw1EwqTZ~docq79N2eHouyyeJM9Y1UeeE7fJp-EsYjQnEHiBnMDUKIA6LF2yo7ill-g1LEexKEQnGGUQXYjSqDw3pVHWmO4HOiRzm9XGLik-u9PrYcPV8H9dVM31iTZKdojrGRd~ui788vFbG9-e3UbMx3JWjxLtatEx-B1Gg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Clark County Fire Chief Steve Edensburg told the fiscal court he is resigning effective June 4, 2025.

During public comment the chief read a resignation letter to the court and the public in which he said it had been \"one of the greatest honors\" to serve and expressed confidence in the department's firefighters and their commitment to training and public safety. Chief Edensburg closed his remarks by thanking the court and the community and signing the letter \"Respectfully, Steve Edensburg, fire chief of the Clark County Fire.\"

Court members thanked Chief Edensburg for his service and noted his leadership during his tenure. The judge and several magistrates offered public statements of appreciation.","Fire Chief Steve Edensburg submitted his resignation to the Clark County Fiscal Court effective June 4, 2025 and read a letter thanking the court and the community.",{"_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},6226984,"HR director proposes policy changes, HSA rule and CPI-linked pay plan to address recruitment and leave use",1213,2507000,3720000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3497336-fd541068534afe0fec97791c88197193&start=2507&end=3720","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3497336-fd541068534afe0fec97791c88197193/thumbnail_2507000.jpg","/articles/6226984/Clark-County/Kentucky/HR-director-proposes-policy-changes-HSA-rule-and-CPI-linked-pay-plan-to-address-recruitment-and-leave-use","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226984-afa7d6b54409398a677ab9e5852bda0a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771028147&Signature=XWkJd8bEIOB3mPAS7QIKk24D5Ls2CeeQxb3ESGCeL-MGx98ZP1ZIU8V3ZS21a3hTE1pqZFp3X1KzCmFOe~tS3vhQnTjst8glrW2ycOuZgZouH794NQaPW8fzpI6uV7I6lzvb4HeIevJ0oB1Pn2PnXpReuK3sVhtXXr6Uqz4aoxC1lnrqbAF9L0C4JBYN-tLR2gRIKbOGbQeGY1qyS30ZQQxSLn5d4iYZL9pzEBNLFsY5X6dW4O7KIuVxJpWntEL7u9bTfuWJ2WRqG6STDODqDOonVE~6MMoP-yTtdwk57LDULB5CKTyMn9VRKM5BkTz-GmvTZBOvpFN2nfHJkXoR~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The county's HR director presented several proposed updates to the county administrative code and personnel policies aimed at simplifying leave programs, clarifying benefit administration, and addressing recruitment and retention.

Key proposals the HR director described:
- Remove the sick-leave donation policy from the administrative code because it has been used rarely and has been misused in at least one instance. The director said the policy \"does not work for the people that could use it\" and recommended revamping it as a federal-style policy at a later date.
- Clarify health-insurance open-enrollment and HSA procedures by requiring employees to open their own HSA accounts within 30 days of the county's first contribution; otherwise the employee forfeits that month's contribution. The director said the treasurer has been holding funds while some employees delay opening accounts.
- Change Family and Medical Leave (FMLA) policy language so that while on FMLA the employee would be required to use sick time first, then vacation, then comp time concurrently with FMLA; once paid leave is exhausted the leave would convert to unpaid FMLA. The director said this approach keeps employer-paid benefits intact while ensuring continuity in insurance coverage.
- Add clarity for workers' compensation: employees eligible for workers' comp may be able to supplement leave with vacation or sick time (not to create double payment) and to preserve insurance eligibility rules for employees working 40 hours per week.
- Propose a compensation/merit change: replace the current flat 1% July increases with a raise tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) published by the Department for Local Government each July, to better keep wages competitive and address recruitment/retention. The director said local average pay lagged state averages and tying raises to CPI would be \"a more strategic way\" to catch up.

The HR director noted she would not put the finalized language in front of the court without first running it by the county attorney; she said she planned to send the drafts to the attorney and return with suggested ordinance or code changes.

Why it matters: HR changes affect county employees' benefits, pay, and leave use; the proposals are intended to reduce administrative overhead, tighten benefit processes (e.g., HSA fund management), and address recruitment and retention challenges amid high turnover.

What happens next: The HR director will send the proposals to the county attorney for legal review and will return to the court with proposed language; magistrates asked for financial estimates for CPI-linked raises and asked the director to provide projected 3- and 5-year costs before final adoption.","Clark County HR presented proposed changes to administrative policies including removing the sick-leave donation policy, requiring timely HSA enrollment, changes to family and workers'-comp leave accounting, and a proposal to tie employee raises to CPI to improve recruitment and retention.",{"_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},6226989,"Clark County fiscal court debates FY2026 budget, EMS and 911 funding amid carryover concerns",2938,4895000,7833000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3497336-fd541068534afe0fec97791c88197193&start=4895&end=7833","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3497336-fd541068534afe0fec97791c88197193/thumbnail_4895000.jpg","/articles/6226989/Clark-County/Kentucky/Clark-County-fiscal-court-debates-FY2026-budget-EMS-and-911-funding-amid-carryover-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226989-67be2d4daa98f7be50c96d7c96e44447/orig.mp4?Expires=1771028147&Signature=bWDp7LtOZmscpc9liVqy7qdDDZeeRGOwxXQ6FDGtMyK97Y66GyQ5dzCDTgg6ruZIOfmWOpLOWRRXqwlp6BastDHgGSzO5IP3uH2joeTa7oHzWox0dZUKX8XSxO1w~PBiGfFn~soeqQFiVjyEhkBzxOyw6ZCExqdZ9G7As5lrcLZYO0X2RHVNhXeVFj71PQSnOks3Hz751cwnNEIDxu5RE4u-cKTZEAlZsBzsgSHfEoG65-3PZK8wWb2Jo90rSihTRYoAEXtYxJGLh258shecXrJUxJ31ubZzpX~H1qdJNicWGvuudTh7uoUjygVFOVII1y8qJAqbJ55mdOi3o2unTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Clark County magistrates and staff spent much of the meeting scrutinizing the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget, focusing on optimistic revenue estimates, the county's carryover, and large service agreements for EMS and 911.

Finance staff presented the draft first-reading budget and the court discussed whether projected carryover and certain revenue lines were overstated. One magistrate reviewed receipts and argued the proposed carryover was inflated compared with actual cash-on-hand and anticipated near-term expenses, saying that if projected receipts did not materialize the county could be placed \"in the hole.\" The finance director provided a conservative and a comfortable carryover estimate: \"Comfortably, I would say 6. Conservatively, 4\" (carryover in hundreds of thousands, per finance director's comment in context).

EMS and 911 funding dominated discussion. The court sought a clearer, early exchange with the city and the EMS operational board about planned equipment purchases and ongoing contribution expectations. Members proposed and informally agreed on budgeting a provisional county EMS contribution of $650,000 for planning purposes and discussed an increase in 911 appropriations tied to anticipated new revenue, noting that any final number would depend on the city's budget and the committee discussions.

Judge Yates and several magistrates urged tighter spending control and suggested revising appropriation lines rather than rely on inflated revenue projections. Several members proposed reworking the budget to base line-item appropriations on the prior year's approved budget (then add payroll/insurance changes), and to use budget amendments later if additional revenue becomes available.

The court scheduled a special meeting to revise the budget and directed staff to produce a revised packet with clarified receipts and assumptions. Members agreed to hold a follow-up special meeting (noted in the meeting as Thursday, May 29 at 5:30 p.m.) to allow departments time to revise appropriation requests and to give the court updated numbers before the final readings.

Why it matters: The fiscal court is operating with constrained cash balances and recurring years when appropriations exceeded receipts; members signaled they want to avoid repeating prior-year shortfalls by aligning appropriations more closely with verifiable revenue.

What happens next: Staff will rework revenue and appropriation assumptions, departments were asked to revisit requested line items, and court leaders planned targeted committee meetings (EMS committee, budget review) to align expectations. The court also discussed longer-term revenue options, including an increase in the insurance-premium tax, and emphasized the need for a measurable plan to track turnover, recruitment, and the effect of proposed compensation changes on staffing costs.","Magistrates and staff debated the proposed FY2026 budget, questioned receipt and carryover estimates, and discussed provisional EMS and 911 funding levels; the court scheduled a special meeting to refine appropriations and requested additional revenue and expense detail from staff.",{"_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},6226993,"Residents challenge truck-stop rezoning and county—————————————leaseback agreement",705,1311000,2016000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3497336-fd541068534afe0fec97791c88197193&start=1311&end=2016","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3497336-fd541068534afe0fec97791c88197193/thumbnail_1311000.jpg","/articles/6226993/Clark-County/Kentucky/Residents-challenge-truck-stop-rezoning-and-countyleaseback-agreement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226993-5bfd853790b5e9e57b8e559205b26f4d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771028147&Signature=DFXwO3JjzeOZjgvmceUCpiZH7oG7aDUWMc3s4eNHR6m2k~LjM4amYWf9aORDz3K0FrRHeRkcNYd1iU1UGGzH~giT6wViQP7jH2VDJYGz2zcgTBn363IyUPdB8TMe9ugDXndt7SEinYQEJIRXbDleOOznCI2QaNnFQ~Se1c3nPp4Awf-56j8-lXCP0CFVRscAZSriZYB5uKspNF-waYogKDbtketcrrsjvfwSsER7E-UsySpxXwz6bRsLzfOdLwgKiFyI-p2CdK7zt4v3dL6SVGP54fOcdNYUscM6htD0diQhGt55mLqu-MkWP9pKoH3MuvXWxMcK~~CFbgint4mAlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents urged the Clark County Fiscal Court on Tuesday to reconsider actions tied to a proposed truck stop after reviewing documents they say were not available to the public and an agreement the county signed on April 9.

The dispute surfaced during public comment as several residents questioned how the county handled the zoning and a related \"agreement in lieu of taxes\" that they say appears to commit county funds to buy property and finance construction for a private operator.

Wayne Harrison, a resident and commentator during public comment, reviewed the April 9 agreement for the court and said, \"it looks like the county is buying the property, and it's also paying for the truck stop's construction.\" He warned the leaseback structure could expose the county to environmental cleanup costs if the tenant defaulted and to long-term financial risk if commercial contamination occurred on county-owned land.

Harrison and others also asked whether the court had obtained the independent economic documentation required by the statute cited in oral remarks. Harrison referenced Kentucky Revised Statutes and said the KRS provision applicable to the agreement requires \"substantial documentation for this bond,\" including an independent economic and financial impact assessment covering customary terms and market conditions.

Multiple residents said they had trouble obtaining records of earlier hearings and said posted audio or transcripts were not complete. Holly Hoaster told the court she had requested audio and that \"the audio was cut off before the vote,\" which she said prevented the public from hearing deliberations. She also said HB 443 (as described in her comments) would limit public participation in development decisions and that the community had not seen independent economic studies tied to the truck-stop project.

County attorney and court guidance was cited in public remarks as limiting the matters the fiscal court may legally consider at the hearing: John Rowe, who identified himself during public comment, told the court that \"the only thing before the court is the record that came to you from the planning commission.\" He emphasized that new evidence not in the planning-commission record could not be treated as the basis for the court's decision.

After discussion the court conducted a roll-call vote on a second reading to rezone land at 1859 Paris Road from Agriculture A-1 to Planned Development. The clerk called roll and the vote carried. (See Actions section for recorded roll-call names and result.)

Why it matters: Residents said they were not given adequate access to documents and audio and said the county appeared to have executed an agreement on April 9 that many in the public had not known about; they requested the county produce the economic documentation they say the statute requires and to be transparent about any bond amount or lease terms.

What court members said and next steps: Several magistrates and the judge discussed whether planning commission meetings and recordings could be posted on the county's YouTube channel more consistently so the public could view meeting records. Members agreed to follow up with planning-commission staff on video availability. Members also discussed whether the county has obtained the independent documentation tied to the April 9 agreement and asked staff to provide any such documentation to the court and public if it exists.

The public raised environmental and fiscal-risk concerns and asked the court to disclose the bond amount and the financial terms of the April 9 agreement. Court members asked county staff to confirm whether the statutory economic documentation required under KRS had been completed and to report back to the court.","Public commenters at the Clark County Fiscal Court meeting raised concerns about a zoning change for a proposed truck stop at 1859 Paris Road, an April 9 agreement where the county appears to buy property and lease it back to the developer, and whether required economic documentation under KRS was prepared before the court acted.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Court reviews Ekden Road emergency repair payment after procurement and bonding questions

Clark County Fire Chief Steve Edensburg submits resignation effective June 4

HR director proposes policy changes, HSA rule and CPI-linked pay plan to address recruitment and leave use

Clark County fiscal court debates FY2026 budget, EMS and 911 funding amid carryover concerns

Residents challenge truck-stop rezoning and county—————————————leaseback agreement