Pike County fiscal court approves leases, adopts two roads, applies for litter grants and moves forward on solid‑waste proposal

Pike County Fiscal Court on Oct. 21 approved a series of routine and administrative measures including two nominal leases for county‑owned lots, the formal addition of two private roads to the county road system, applications for two 2026 cleanup grants, acceptance of a proposal from a waste‑management company for negotiation, and several personnel adjustments made after an executive session.

The court approved lease agreements for small parcels in Phelps that the county cannot use for development. Roy (staff member) said the properties carry federal restrictions and are normally limited to nonpermanent uses such as parking or seasonal community upkeep; in exchange, lessees pay a small fee and maintain the lots. The court voted to authorize a lease with a private individual identified in the motion as Jeff Dawson; the roll call showed unanimous support (Commissioner Scott, Commissioner Atkins, Commissioner Lewis and Judge Jones voting yes). The court separately authorized a similar lease for a parcel to the Jamboree Church of God at a stated rate of $1 per year; that motion also passed unanimously.

The fiscal court completed second readings to accept two roads — Hillbilly Hollow (listed in the record as 580.8 feet) and Right Fork of Upper Camp (600 feet) — into the county road system. Roy said the roads meet the requirements in Kentucky statutes for county adoption. The motion to adopt the roads passed on a roll‑call vote with all members present voting yes.

The court authorized staff to apply for two 2026 grant programs related to litter abatement and cleanup of illegal dump sites and approved execution of related grant documents. Sharon (staff member) was named to prepare the litter‑abatement application; both grant‑authorization motions passed on unanimous roll calls.

In procurement and capital matters, Treasurer Frank presented routine disbursements and an ARPA account payment: a check for $77,529.13 to Mountain Water District for an item labeled "expenditure approval number 16," plus small grant‑administration fees noted for Compass Municipal Advisors and the law firm Sturgill Turner. The court also acknowledged receipt of a report from the sheriff and clerk and authorized payment of the listed expenditures; that approval passed on a unanimous roll call.

Greg (department supervisor) presented a bid recommendation to buy a 2026 dually cab truck for the public works department from Bruce Walters Ford at a total delivered price of $70,300. The court approved the purchase by roll call.

The court received one proposal in response to a county request for proposals for a local solid‑waste disposal site. The proposal came via the McBrayer law firm from USA Waste and Recycling Incorporated. The court voted to accept the proposal and authorized the judge executive to enter contractual negotiations and draft a proposed host agreement; that motion passed unanimously.

After a brief recess, the court moved into executive session to discuss personnel matters, proposed economic development matters and litigation under Kentucky open‑meetings law. Following the closed session, the court recorded several personnel actions on the public record: temporary reassignment of Jimmy Kaiser as floodplain coordinator at a listed pay rate effective Oct. 21, 2025, through March 31, 2026; approval of up to 12 weeks of family medical leave for Donetta Rutherford effective Oct. 21, 2025; a longevity adjustment for Jeannie Robinson effective Oct. 7, 2025; the termination of Brian Mullins effective Oct. 21, 2025; and hiring Vince Ratliff as a temporary, part‑time data manager in the occupational tax office effective Oct. 21, 2025. The motion to acknowledge and implement those personnel actions was made on the record and approved by roll call.

Erica Cohen, introduced to the court as the fiscal court's new safety director, spoke briefly about her background and priorities. "I grew up here...I did 4 years in the safety department at PMC," she said, adding that her work will focus on training the county workforce and avoiding preventable workplace accidents. The court welcomed her to the position.

The court concluded with routine supervisor comments about roadwork scheduling and auction results for surplus equipment; no substantive policy changes were announced beyond the items listed above. The judge also asked the court to keep a commissioner’s family in their prayers as a member’s spouse was scheduled for surgery the following day.

Votes at a glance - Authorize lease (Jeff Dawson, Phelps parcel): Motion by Commissioner Lewis; second by Commissioner Scott; vote: Scott—yes, Atkins—yes, Lewis—yes, Judge Jones—yes; outcome: approved. - Authorize lease (Jamboree Church of God, $1/yr): motion recorded; second recorded; roll call unanimous; outcome: approved. - Adopt Hillbilly Hollow and Right Fork of Upper Camp into county road system (second reading): Motion by Commissioner Scott; second by Commissioner Lewis; roll call unanimous; outcome: adopted. - Authorize application for 2026 litter‑abatement grant: Motion by Commissioner Scott; second by Commissioner Lewis; roll call unanimous; outcome: approved. - Authorize application for 2026 illegal‑dump/cleanup grant: Motion by Commissioner Lewis; second by Commissioner Scott; roll call unanimous; outcome: approved. - Approve treasurer's disbursement list and ARPA check to Mountain Water District ($77,529.13) and related payments: motion recorded; roll call unanimous; outcome: approved. - Approve purchase of 2026 dually cab truck from Bruce Walters Ford ($70,300): motion recorded; roll call unanimous; outcome: approved. - Accept USA Waste and Recycling proposal and authorize negotiation of a host agreement: Motion by Judge Jones; second by Commissioner Atkins; roll call unanimous; outcome: authorized to negotiate. - Personnel acknowledgments (Jimmy Kaiser reassignment; Donetta Rutherford FMLA; Jeannie Robinson longevity; termination of Brian Mullins; hire Vince Ratliff): Motion by Judge Jones; second by Commissioner Scott; roll call unanimous; outcome: approved.

Ending The court scheduled follow‑up work by staff on grant applications, negotiated next steps with USA Waste if negotiations proceed, and continued planned roadwork as described by supervisors. No additional public hearings or contested ordinances were completed at the meeting.