Madison County fiscal court approves ethics board appointment, 911 grant application and interlocal GIS hosting agreement; extends American Battlefield Trust-cl

MADISON COUNTY, Ky. — The Madison County Fiscal Court voted on multiple resolutions and routine business items during its Feb. 25, 2025 meeting in Richmond. Key outcomes included a board appointment, a grant-application authorization for 9-1-1 system replacement, an interlocal data-hosting agreement with the City of Richmond, and a contract amendment related to the American Battlefield Trust property transfer.

Phyllis Adams reappointment to ethics board — approved The court approved Resolution 2025-011 reappointing Phyllis Adams to the Madison County Ethics Board. The resolution notes Adams’ current term expired March 1, 2025, and states she is willing to continue serving. The motion carried on a roll call vote with Magistrate Bakken, Magistrate Combs, Magistrate Lockmuller and Judge Reagan Taylor voting "yes." (Motion and second not specified in the record.)

Authorization to apply for Kentucky 9-1-1 grant funds for CAD replacement — approved By Resolution 2025-012 the court authorized the judge executive or designee to apply for Kentucky 9-1-1 Services Board grant funds for a computer-aided dispatch (CAD) replacement, for the grant period July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026. The resolution states a 10% local match is required (cash or in-kind). County staff indicated the county’s requested portion will likely be about $157,000, though the final grant amount will be set when vendor negotiations conclude; the exact requested amount is “not specified” in the resolution text. The resolution passed on roll call with Magistrate Combs, Magistrate Lockmuller, Magistrate Botkin and Judge Taylor voting yes.

Interlocal GIS data hosting agreement with City of Richmond — approved Resolution 2025-013 authorizes an interlocal agreement under the Interlocal Cooperation Act (cited in the meeting as KRS 65.21 to 65.3) for the City of Richmond to host its geographic information systems (GIS) data with the Madison County GIS. The court will charge for services at the rates listed in the signed bill of services. The motion carried unanimously on roll call.

Second amendment to American Battlefield Trust agreement — approved The court approved Resolution 2025-014, authorizing a second amendment to the agreement among Madison County, the City of Richmond and the American Battlefield Trust. The amendment moves the closing date on the transfer of three parcels at 976 Battlefield Memorial Highway (approximately 20.89 acres, parcels identified in deed book 615 page 702) from Feb. 28, 2025 to July 31, 2025 to allow additional time for federal grant processing to secure a conservation easement. Court members discussed whether the City of Richmond would also need to place the amendment on its agenda; county staff said the delay comes from the federal grant process and expressed confidence the transaction will move forward.

Other votes and routine business — approved The court approved two sets of minutes (Feb. 11 regular meeting and Feb. 14 special call meeting), approved hiring recommendations pending pre-employment checks, and authorized payment of claims and approval of transfers. Roll-call tallies for those items recorded "yes" votes from the magistrates present and Judge Taylor.

What the votes do and next steps - Resolutions become effective per their terms; the CAD grant application, if awarded, will require a 10% local match and subsequent agreements with the Kentucky 9-1-1 Services Board. - The interlocal GIS agreement authorizes the county to host Richmond’s GIS data under a signed bill of services and to charge the city accordingly. - The American Battlefield Trust closing extension moves the agreed closing to July 31, 2025; county staff will consult legal counsel as needed on contract timing and any necessary city approvals.

The fiscal court’s next meeting is scheduled for March 11, 2025, at Berea City Hall.