Woodford County Fiscal Court: votes at a glance — budget first reading, event permits, grants, contracts and equipment purchases approved

The Woodford County Fiscal Court on June 3 gave first reading to the county's fiscal year 2025'26 budget ordinance and approved a slate of routine items including event permits, grant agreements, a professional services contract for sewer work and equipment purchases.

The court's first reading of Ordinance 25'06, the fiscal year 2025'26 appropriations, was moved by Squire Brown and seconded by Squire Taylor and approved by voice vote. The ordinance summary presented at the meeting listed a proposed grand total of $60,976,612.08 across funds, including $34,141,792.03 in the general fund, $4,058,515.58 in the road fund and $3,705,531.54 in American Rescue Plan Act allocations. The judge executive said the ordinance will be advertised for a second reading at the court's June meeting.

The court approved event permits for two community fundraisers: the Simmons Elementary "Run for D.C." 5K on Sept. 20, 2025 (motion by Squire Gill, second by Squire Blackford) and the Ragnar/Bourbon Chase relay through Woodford County in October 2025 (motion by Squire Veil, second by Squire Varner). Both motions carried unanimously.

Several grant agreements and related procurement steps were approved. The solid waste office received approval for the annual Waste Tire Grant in the amount of $4,000 and for a household hazardous waste grant; the court also authorized advertising and beginning the bid process for the household hazardous waste event (motions moved and seconded as stated in the record). The court ratified earlier email approvals tied to flood response expenditures and included a proposed recycling vehicle in the budget paperwork.

On infrastructure and professional services, the court approved a draft agreement with Bell Engineering for engineering and professional services on the Millville Sewer Line project, subject to final review by the judge executive, the county attorney and the Bluegrass Area Development District (motion by Squire Gentry, second by Squire Varner). The court also approved transfers, the personnel order, and the annual standing order and purchase-order designees for FY 2025'26.

A purchase of a tracked Bobcat for the road and maintenance departments was authorized pursuant to the Kentucky state price contract, in the amount of $87,462.76, following committee discussion that the tracked machine would reduce tire damage and better suit yard cleanup after recent flooding (motion by Squire Brown, second by Squire Varner). The court noted the purchase is an unbudgeted expense.

Other routine approvals included acceptance of a $37,945 donation for emergency management to be used as the emergency management director recommends; approval and acceptance of the sheriff's office 2024 property tax and franchise settlements; adoption of Resolution 25'03 for reimbursement to transport nonpublic school children under Kentucky Transportation Cabinet rules (motion moved/seconded as recorded); approval of an interlocal cooperative agreement among counties in the Bluegrass Area Development District; and moving the June payroll date from the county holiday Juneteenth (June 19) to June 18 so employees are paid before the holiday.

All motions recorded in the meeting minutes carried unanimously unless a different outcome was stated on the record.

Votes at a glance (motions recorded in the meeting): - Ordinance 25'06 (FY 2025'26 budget): first reading approved (mover: Squire Brown; second: Squire Taylor). Outcome: first reading approved; second reading to be advertised. - Simmons Elementary Run for D.C. 5K (Sept. 20, 2025): permit approved (mover: Squire Gill; second: Squire Blackford). Outcome: approved. - Ragnar/Bourbon Chase relay (Oct. 2025): permit approved (mover: Squire Veil; second: Squire Varner). Outcome: approved. - Waste Tire Grant ($4,000) and household hazardous waste grant: judge authorized to sign; bid/advertising for household hazardous waste event approved. Outcome: approved. - Bell Engineering draft agreement for Millville Sewer Line project: approved, contingent on final legal and administrative review (mover: Squire Gentry; second: Squire Varner). Outcome: approved. - Purchase of track Bobcat under state price contract ($87,462.76): approved (mover: Squire Brown; second: Squire Varner). Outcome: approved. - Ratification of prior email approvals and approval of bills to be paid: ratified/approved by court. Outcome: approved. - Young and New Farmers grant round 2 disbursements: approved. Outcome: approved. - Sheriff's 2024 property tax and franchise settlements: accepted (mover: Squire Downey; second: Squire Gill). Outcome: accepted. - Interlocal cooperative agreement (Bluegrass area development district counties): approved and judge authorized to sign, contingent on county attorney review (mover: Squire Blackford; second: Squire Taylor). Outcome: approved. - Resolution 25'03 (bus transportation reimbursement application): adopted (mover: Squire Gill; second: Squire Taylor). Outcome: adopted. - Payroll date change (June payroll moved from June 19 to June 18): approved (mover: Squire Taylor; second: Squire Downey). Outcome: approved. - Annual standing order, personnel order, purchase-order designees and routine transfers: approved. Outcome: approved.

Context: Many items were routine, recommended by committees, or required by administrative timing (payroll date and grant signatures). The court also noted several items arising from recent flood response and recovery work that influenced procurement and grant activity.

Ending: The court concluded with department reports, announcements and the traditional reading of fallen service members before adjourning.