Votes at a glance: Ohio County Fiscal Court approves bids, appointments, waterline work and wage change

Ohio County Fiscal Court voted on a range of routine and project items at its October 2025 meeting, approving claims and transfers, adopting a biodigester ordinance on second reading, awarding equipment and bridge contracts, placing a waterline extension on the rural water list and appointing a member to the library board.

Below are the recorded actions, motions and outcomes as reflected in the meeting transcript excerpt. Where a specific motion text, mover/second or vote tally is not recorded in the provided transcript, the entry notes that information as “not specified.”

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes (September 2025): Motion by Jason Bullock; second by Michael McKinney. Outcome: approved (voice vote). Notes: No roll-call tally in transcript excerpt.

- Bills, claims, payments and transfers: Motion by Beau (Bennett/Beni in transcript). Second by Jason Bullock. Outcome: approved (voice vote). Notes: Recorded as passed in meeting record.

- Biodigester ordinance — second reading: Motion to pass second reading (mover not specified in transcript); second recorded as Bridal Benton (name as transcribed). Outcome: approved (roll-call). Recorded yes votes: David Johnson; Pibben; Morphew; Michael McKinney; Blogg; Bennett. Notes: Ordinance identifier and full text not included in transcript excerpt; court described a containment/berm requirement.

- Correction to payment/check-writing motion: Motion to correct check-writing authorization for treasurer; motion carried. Mover/second not specified in the excerpt. Notes: Administrative correction recorded.

- Treasurer permitted to purchase certificates of deposit (CDs) for opioid-related account funds: Motion to allow treasurer to purchase CD (mover not specified); second recorded. Outcome: approved (voice vote). Notes: Purpose stated as drawing interest on opioid-designated funds.

- Acknowledgement of clerk’s September 2025 financial statement: Motion by (recorded) Bo Beni; second by Michael McKinney. Outcome: acknowledged (voice vote).

- Rural waterline extension (Neafus Road / Horse Branch area): Two motions — (1) place the 1,300-foot gap on the rural waterline list; (2) move that project to the top of the list. Motioners/second(s): not fully specified; one second recorded as Dale. Outcomes: both approved (voice votes). Notes: Project fits rural waterline criteria; a separate grant package item was referenced.

- Road equipment purchase (24-foot boom reach telescoping apparatus): Bid awarded to B E C Brown Equipment Company for $257,498. Motion to authorize treasurer to secure funds and write the check; motion included direction that FEMA funds and equipment surplus be applied as appropriate. Second by Jason (Bullock). Outcome: approved (voice vote). Notes: Purchase and funding direction recorded.

- Bridge replacement (Sherib Road): Bid awarded to J L L C (transcribed as j a v e) of Lexington, Ky., for $386,300. Motion to approve bid; second recorded. Outcome: approved (voice vote). Notes: State provided funding for the project; county match described as engineering fees already paid.

- Library board appointment: Julie Francis appointed to a full four-year term to the library board. Roll-call recorded as yes by multiple members; appointment approved.

- Jail staffing and wage-scale change: Motion to eliminate a full-time jail position and replace it with part-time work so the jailer could give existing staff a $1-per-hour raise; estimated net savings of $23,000 reported. Motion seconded and approved. An amendment recorded later specified the change be effective Nov. 1; amendment adopted and will appear in the minutes.

- Administrative code amendment — first reading: Committee proposed first reading language to add a requirement that when a department head eliminates a position to reallocate funds for raises, that position cannot be reinstated for a minimum three-year period. First reading occurred (roll call recorded); second reading required for adoption.

- Pothole patching machine: Motion to take bids for a new pothole patching machine; motion carried. Notes: Specifications to be coordinated with road department staff (Nick).

Other notes: Several routine administrative and committee reports were heard; the housing committee solicited public participation for brainstorming on safe and affordable housing. Members also extended condolences to a former treasurer who lost her son.

Ending: The court’s minutes and the corresponding adopted documents (ordinance text, bid awards, and administrative-code amendments) should be consulted for exact contract terms, payment instructions and effective dates.