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Isaiah 117 House seeks $180,000 startup funds, asks court to consider budget support
Summary
Representatives updated the court on house renovations, described a tri-county service model and requested county budget consideration for operating startup costs estimated at $180,000 for first year.
Representatives of Isaiah 117 House updated the Logan County Fiscal Court on progress refurbishing a two-bedroom home intended to host children removed from unsafe situations and asked the court to consider funding in the county budget.
A presenter identified Marvin Miller as the project’s general contractor and said interior painting and final touches were scheduled to finish the house’s inside. The group said the facility includes two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a built-in visitation area for biological families.
The presenters said Isaiah 117 House has expanded to a tri-county arrangement with Butler and Simpson counties and currently holds priority for Logan, Simpson and Butler. They said, under a memorandum of understanding with the state, any child in Kentucky could be placed at the home if the Department for Community Based Services chooses to do so.
The presenters asked county leaders to consider re-allocating or budgeting funds to meet the house’s start-up requirement. “Our annual budget, the very first year…is $180,000,” a representative said, adding the house must have that amount in reserve before opening. The presenters described typical removal-day costs of $300–$400 per child (car seat, clothing, supplies) and ongoing monthly operating costs for groceries, utilities and program staffing.
County staff advised caution about using government funds to buy property because doing so can create long-term restrictions on use; the county attorney suggested the court instead identify allowable budget line items that would fund operational needs without tying county ownership to a specific property. The county staff member said: “Let’s you all figure out what money you want to put in the budget and then Phil and I can earmark what in their budget that money would be spent on.”
Court members did not adopt any appropriation at the meeting; staff recommended the presenters work with the county finance office between now and budget hearings to define permissible expenditures and to request a specific appropriation or contract for services.
