[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-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],{"_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",6183396,"mediaKeyId","5097246-8628e96232780525410e8f88e8ad5123","parentId",5097246,"title","Pike County gives first reading to ordinance to allow state-approved street-legal off‑road vehicles","audioSeconds",216,"startMs",2242000,"endMs",2458000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5097246-8628e96232780525410e8f88e8ad5123&start=2242&end=2458","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5097246-8628e96232780525410e8f88e8ad5123/thumbnail_2242000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6183396/Pike-County/Kentucky/Pike-County-gives-first-reading-to-ordinance-to-allow-state-approved-street-legal-offroad-vehicles","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183396-f8c755e7fcee5a959d7f6c9e0c12e9c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771072285&Signature=anw3lahust7vMb~vfzwsOk5jmp4bQ~ycxWgOYHvkvKSfm9pszus8dnnv7L3zffmHkirnYcJzrZj8-m8M35AnemLlywcyRncra89Mbl46SORWTUn3GRTOKhouOij7K7TTgThNSZgzg3yMoaZIAyCb91vVbX-uIzy~bGAhu~CY8B929NJVDsAQ91YvgIydPtPg8VQ8nCnMRjx669PjZuo4IzrUdlXWx0r8n7a7WshrVDqzI7V66qGb66jSWPEiwLTP~r-i-eQabksfn3eQaZCvhL0NSG9TXId73qxWXWkpaPBpbzvE2bjUSkn1iVQfeSrTMSUXpliA~y6y9dZHcWxCUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pike County, KY","date","2025-06-04T10:47:32Z","article","The Pike County Fiscal Court gave first reading to a proposed ordinance that would permit state‑approved street‑legal special‑purpose vehicles on county highways if and when the state finalizes implementing regulations.

Roy presented the measure by title and explained that the county's proposed ordinance would adopt the state's standards and allow only vehicles that meet state certification to receive a tag and operate on permitted county highways. \"It's an ordinance, to allow street legal special purpose vehicles,\" Roy said, noting the county will \"do the exact adopt exactly what the state says we can do.\"

Presenters and commissioners clarified several operational limits: county staff said the state has proposed a 20‑mile limit for travel on public highways for the vehicles, and Roy and the judge emphasized exemptions for vehicles used strictly on private property or for work that requires crossing highways. Roy explained the ordinance would not require owners to obtain tags for vehicles used exclusively on private land or for ordinary farm, construction or mining work: \"If you're using it for work and you're not driving up and down the main highway, you don't gotta go get it licensed. There are exceptions for farming, construction and mining.\" The court also noted that incorporated cities within Pike County — identified on the record as Poplar, Elkhorn and Cole Run — retain authority to manage vehicle use on their own streets.

Roy told the court the ordinance's effective adoption depends on state administrative regulations being in place before the act's effective date; the meeting record cites an expected effective date of July 27, 2025. County clerk staff told the court the state's systems must be ready to accept a new vehicle tag if the regulations are finalized.

Why it matters: The ordinance would allow a regulatory path for owners of certain off‑road vehicles to use them on approved county roads for limited travel between points if vehicles meet state safety and certification requirements. The measure also clarifies that ordinary farm and work usage and off‑trail use on private land remain exempt from the licensing requirement.

Next steps: The court completed the first reading and will return for a second reading and adoption only after the state issues administrative regulations that set certification and tag procedures.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Pike County Fiscal Court Meeting - June 3, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The fiscal court gave first reading to a proposed local ordinance to allow certain state‑approved street‑legal special-purpose vehicles (ATV/UTV-style vehicles) on county highways if the state issues administrative regulations; the local measure would mirror state requirements and include exemptions for farm, construction and mining use.","taxTitle","Pike County, Kentucky","taxId",72456,"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},6183401,"CASA of the Appalachian Mountains asks Pike County to help recruit volunteers, provide local space",1016,590000,1606000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5097246-8628e96232780525410e8f88e8ad5123&start=590&end=1606","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5097246-8628e96232780525410e8f88e8ad5123/thumbnail_590000.jpg","/articles/6183401/Pike-County/Kentucky/CASA-of-the-Appalachian-Mountains-asks-Pike-County-to-help-recruit-volunteers-provide-local-space","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183401-7ee6a9cae5431a7f2796495eb186f00a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771072285&Signature=oU888WSAhAPA2ehA66YzJ7F15UbvEckU-GXr1lFSZuIJDPB8wCa~zXtqT5pHZf59m8sdCIDsf-RjQom9WG68mEmNlNdtByGQFi3TyZ~l-rCwwTaXjhDwT6ffjsDn8J27m1vFib-37ZPCHF8EZU3~4bSKnghG9YovJqqpDxuEDuQrUiUB3cfrJ80GYZ0N0wEu1JaIPykyKDjtSJAIjTjhbA3HMfp4ziyMaeUMq4ZLvEBSwGbkmFePeSDcWFApNj25KQ2kYPjR0Yqvc-xEydgyj4nE7OVkeuPW08OLXG2GtaynAuc2E3-2aKgGHPq-~UCkHlw68~esfqsVgDDgPujRRg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kristen Dinsmore Smith, executive director of CASA of the Appalachian Mountains, told the Pike County Fiscal Court the program needs more volunteers and local support to serve children in abuse and neglect cases.

\"We are a local nonprofit in Pike County,\" Dinsmore Smith said. \"CASA is a organization of court appointed special advocates... we help train and supervise everyday citizens to help advocate for children in the court system that have experienced some form of abuse or neglect.\" She said CASA of the Appalachian Mountains serves seven counties, including Pike, and that local volunteers are appointed to cases by a judge.

Dinsmore Smith described volunteer qualifications and duties: volunteers must be at least 21 years old, pass a background check, complete pre-service training and typically handle one case at a time. She said most volunteers maintain full-time jobs while serving and that the volunteer writes a brief report to the judge to ensure the court has additional information about the child's needs.

Sarah Moorefield, listed in the meeting as community engagements for CASA, told the court volunteers generally commit \"6 to 8 hours a month\" and that those who cannot volunteer can serve on the local board or provide in-kind donations. Moorefield said CASA provides backpacks, school supplies, birthday and holiday gifts, hygiene supplies and resource binders volunteers can use to connect children with services.

Dinsmore Smith gave state and local statistics to illustrate demand. She said Kentucky reported more than 16,000 child-abuse cases in 2023, and that Pike County recorded new petitions for individual children numbering approximately 299 in 2020, 306 in 2021, 206 in 2022, 214 in 2023 and 190 in 2024. She told the court Pike County currently has two active volunteers and two board members.

Judge Jones expressed support for CASA's work on the record, saying he has long backed the program and offered the court's assistance if the nonprofit needs help. \"I support the court appointed special advocate program,\" he said.

Dinsmore Smith and Moorefield asked the court and community to help by publicizing recruiting events, offering office space to provide a local foothold for volunteers and by donating items or money for fundraising. Moorefield said the group's Facebook page, CASA of the Appalachian Mountains, lists events and outreach opportunities.

Why it matters: CASA volunteers are assigned to individual child-protection cases to provide judges with additional information about children's needs and placements. The presenters told the court Pike County's small volunteer base means some volunteers carry long or complex cases and that local visibility and an accessible office would make recruitment and volunteer training more feasible.

Next steps: Court members acknowledged the request and discussed ways to identify local meeting space and events where CASA can recruit volunteers and board members.","CASA of the Appalachian Mountains presented to the Pike County Fiscal Court asking for help recruiting volunteers, local office space and donations to expand advocacy for children in abuse and neglect cases; the nonprofit said Pike County currently has two volunteers and two board members.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":42,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6183406,"Pike County fiscal court adopts 2025-26 budget as officials warn of declining revenue and large storm-repair needs",2667000,2883000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5097246-8628e96232780525410e8f88e8ad5123&start=2667&end=2883","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5097246-8628e96232780525410e8f88e8ad5123/thumbnail_2667000.jpg","/articles/6183406/Pike-County/Kentucky/Pike-County-fiscal-court-adopts-2025-26-budget-as-officials-warn-of-declining-revenue-and-large-storm-repair-needs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183406-bcad2fe0b3a017d944be95db40d64daf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771072285&Signature=DnwIHbMQFVN-acGiTSvrmZteZyZGTbejTTbYmT0OmrmqGyfHNgZ9ff8OH4eI1IIAwSVtBFn0rCtuz63XpuPUbTpG4r-ZF-AOuQKxFhxUiDM56obewgQ9d3k0VcH9c-6XiWqQpx15oRfoNux~HurTZHpI1~pk8iRWQqN~YisBe2WiaDgL7VpR6k3ijBLY3Awvo~mk16nR6UGwpO6UkXhe18KdPoaJ6h6LUEvhbJT3gedcKucP9CTpWkHwQS0k~H1yEvmBfb-wVZEN8qe5gYjb50Dsx7vH4a6lgWNYrQmMgzwwv0xgkKNUxs3YehqqL8n0bYoJNtqLcM7HOGaexRgIUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pike County Fiscal Court on Monday approved its proposed fiscal year 2025–26 budget after a prolonged discussion about falling revenues, mounting storm-repair bills and dependence on federal and state disaster reimbursements.

Judge Jones said the court must act now to meet state deadlines but warned the county faces longer-term fiscal strain. \"Every major revenue stream is declined every year, year after year for 5 straight years,\" he said, adding that higher salary increases would accelerate a coming \"day of reckoning.\" The court voted yea on the ordinance in a roll call that recorded votes by Commissioner Scott, Commissioner Atkins, Commissioner Lewis and Judge Jones.

The discussion preceded the vote and centered on two themes: declining recurring revenue and a large backlog of road and bridge damage from repeated storms. Judge Jones said the budget as presented reflected a modest pay-scale increase and a conservative approach intended to avoid worsening the county's financial position. He told colleagues a 1 percentage-point across-the-board pay raise would add roughly $160,000 in annual payroll cost, and each additional percent would raise that total further.

Public-works and emergency-management staff described the scale of storm damage countywide. Tim Fields, the county's applicant agent for FEMA, told the court the county has documented more than 3,000 locations of damage to roads, bridges, culverts and other transportation infrastructure and said those sites are already part of FEMA damage assessments: \"We've already identified how many areas of damage to county roads, bridges, culverts, drains, and other transportation infrastructure. The coronary records were over 3,000.\" Court members and staff described bridge-replacement estimates in the millions of dollars for individual spans. Judge Jones cited a specific example and cost range when discussing a single bridge replacement: \"To replace that bridge is $6,000,000.\"

Court members said the county has absorbed prior storm costs while waiting for federal and state reimbursements but warned that the backlog and recurring revenue declines limit their flexibility. County Treasurer Frankie presented revenue trend information showing several major lines of revenue have fallen over the last five years, and court members noted the county has not yet received certain FEMA or state recovery funds for recent disasters.

After debate, Commissioner Scott moved to adopt the budget ordinance; the motion passed on a roll-call vote recorded as yes by Commissioner Scott, Commissioner Atkins, Commissioner Lewis and Judge Jones. The court also directed the treasurer to return to the court with comparative figures showing the cost to the county of a 2 percent versus a 3 percent pay adjustment so members could consider that change at a later meeting.

Formal actions taken at the meeting that relate to county finances and recovery included approval of work orders, authorization for some staff travel to the Kentucky Emergency Services Conference and various personnel items that the court acknowledged on the record.

Why it matters: Pike County officials say sustained declines in property, occupational and net-profit tax receipts, together with repeated storm damage, mean the county must prioritize recovery projects and manage personnel costs carefully until reimbursements and revenues stabilize. The court approved the budget to meet state submission deadlines but reserved the option to revisit raises or other amendments once staff provide more detailed cost estimates.

Next steps: Treasurer Frankie will provide the court with the specific payroll-cost comparisons for 2 percent and 3 percent raises. The court also continues work with FEMA and state agencies on a multiyear slate of bridge and road repairs that officials said will require significant outside funding.","Pike County Fiscal Court approved its proposed 2025–26 budget after discussion about multi-year revenue declines, the county's unpaid storm-repair needs and dependence on FEMA and state reimbursements. Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt the budget while asking staff to return with options on pay raises.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Pike County gives first reading to ordinance to allow state-approved street-legal off‑road vehicles

CASA of the Appalachian Mountains asks Pike County to help recruit volunteers, provide local space

Pike County fiscal court adopts 2025-26 budget as officials warn of declining revenue and large storm-repair needs