Pike County adopts contractor-registration executive order to curb post-flood scams

Pike County Fiscal Court voted on March 17 to require contractors engaged in post-flood repairs to register with the county and obtain a contractor registration certificate, adopting a form and press guidance modeled on recommendations from the Kentucky attorney general’s consumer protection office.

Judge Jones introduced the item and the court adopted a motion directing the occupational tax office to issue registration forms and certificates and to publicize the requirement. The order instructs residents to hire only registered contractors and asks the sheriff’s office to assist with enforcement; the draft press materials shared with the court list common consumer-protection advice such as checking the Better Business Bureau, avoiding high-pressure sales and not signing insurance checks to contractors.

Why this matters: Court members said the registration is intended to protect residents who are hiring contractors during an emergency-recovery period and to deter unscrupulous, “fly-by-night” operators. Commissioners described examples of alleged contractor fraud after storm events and said a local registration and certificate will give residents an easily verifiable indicator of registration status.

The court authorized the judge executive to sign the executive order, to publish a press release and to coordinate with the attorney general’s consumer protection division. Judge Jones said the county would make sample registration forms and the contractor certificate available and would publicize the requirement on county social channels. He added: “If you save 1 person from getting duped” the effort is worthwhile.

The court also discussed logistics: registrations will be handled through the occupational tax office and the executive order will require a permit from the floodplain coordinator where applicable. The court directed staff to prepare and circulate the executive order and press materials immediately.