Scott County Fiscal Court approves museum masonry repair, bridge application and other routine items; hears solid-waste, EMS and construction updates

The Scott County Fiscal Court on Feb. 27 approved a series of routine and project-related motions, and received updates on solid-waste efforts, ongoing construction and broadband permits.

Key actions at the meeting included approval of a masonry repair contract for the county museum, authorization for an engineering firm to prepare a county bridge-improvement application, passage of a vehicle-lease resolution required to include a county vehicle in a financing package, appointment to the Sadieville-area seat on the planning commission, and approval of an EMS full-time hire.

Why it matters: The approved items are intended to maintain county facilities, advance a bridge-repair application that could unlock state funding, and keep staffing and public services running. Staff also described multi-partner solid-waste and recycling operations that removed tens of thousands of tires and diverted more than 1,500 tons of recyclables last year.

Museum masonry: The court reviewed two estimates to repair a brick wall on Mulberry Street at the county museum. One estimate to salvage and reinstall existing brick was roughly $38,007.50; a second option—buying matched replacement brick and re-laying the wall—was described as about $35,000, a roughly $3,000 savings. After discussion the court approved proceeding with the option to replace with new matching brick; the motion passed by voice vote.

Bridge application (CCBIP): The court authorized county staff to engage HMB (described in the meeting as the engineering/consulting firm) to prepare and submit a County-Bridge Improvement Program (CCBIP) application for the North Ray’s Fork bridge. The court approved a $5,000 application fee to prepare the submission and authorized up to $31,000 in structural design and survey work to be performed if the project is awarded. The estimated construction cost to replace the superstructure was presented as about $370,000. The court approved the motion by voice vote and asked staff to proceed with the application timeline.

Vehicle lease resolution (Res. 25-03): The court adopted Resolution 25-03 to add a previously omitted leased vehicle to the county’s financing package administered through the Kentucky Association of Counties Leasing Trust. In the meeting the judge read the resolution, which cites Kentucky law and authorizes court officers to sign closing documents; the motion to adopt the resolution passed by voice vote.

Planning commission appointment: The court appointed Melissa Adair to the Sadieville-area seat on the Scott County Planning Commission after a motion and second; court members said Adair had experience in the Sadieville community and the mayor supported the choice.

EMS hire and construction updates: The court approved hiring Seth Heil as a full-time EMT, with a start date of March 17 at an initial hourly pay of $14.53. County staff also reported continued progress at the EMS station construction site and said a baby-box installation was scheduled for the following week. The Justice Center construction is progressing, with caissons and poured walls visible; staff noted outstanding storm-water questions being worked out.

Solid waste and recycling report: Solid-waste staff reported the county used a $55,000 state litter-abatement grant and local partners to collect 50,200 bags of trash (reported as the program total), collected 21,000 tires at a triannual event, and gathered roughly 20,000 pounds of household hazardous and electronic waste at a large recycling day partnered with Toyota. Curbside recycling through Rumpke collected more than 1,500 tons of recyclables in the year reported. Staff also described a transfer-station voucher program with more than 1,600 visits and an ongoing clothing-recycling partnership that generated revenue.

Broadband and other infrastructure: Officials said a recent coordination meeting with Norfolk Southern and internet-service contractors produced work that will open service to several hundred rural homes. The court reported that Spectrum/Charter may begin activation for approximately 400 houses immediately, with additional permit work affecting about 60–70 more homes pending. Magistrates urged continued follow-up to complete remaining pole and permit work.

Votes at a glance (formal actions recorded in meeting minutes): - Approval of prior meeting minutes: motion moved by Kelly Corman, seconded by Rick Hostetler; voice vote, passed. - Transfers as presented by Treasurer Michelle Ray: motion moved by David Livingston, seconded by Rob Jones; voice vote, passed. - Bills and handchecks (submitted by email): motion moved by Rick (last name not specified), seconded by Duane (last name not specified); voice vote, passed. - Museum masonry repair: motion to proceed with replacement bricks (approx. $35,000 option) — mover identified as Judge Covington (stated he would make the motion); second not attributed by name in transcript; voice vote, passed. - Appointment of Melissa Adair to the Sadieville-area planning commission seat: motion made and seconded in open session; voice vote, passed. - Resolution 25-03 (auto lease inclusion/financing): motion to adopt read and moved; second from Rick Hostetler; voice vote, passed. - Authorization for HMB to prepare CCBIP application for North Ray’s Fork bridge: motion for a $5,000 application fee and authorization for up to $31,000 in design work if awarded — motion made and seconded; voice vote, passed. - EMS hire (Seth Heil, full-time EMT): motion moved by Rick (mover named), seconded by Rob Jones; voice vote, passed.

What court members said: Multiple magistrates and staff emphasized the importance of interagency coordination on broadband, bridges and the Justice Center construction, and urged contractors to restore roads and finishes properly after utilities work.

Ending: The court adjourned after listing a workshop next week and a ribbon-cutting event for a new disc-golf course scheduled for the following Friday.