Woodford fiscal court wins $1.11 million bridge grant, directs zoning ordinance draft and honors longtime elections member

Woodford County Judge-Executive James Kaye and the fiscal court on Tuesday approved paperwork for a $1,110,877 state grant to replace the Pains Depot Bridge, authorized a paving bid advertisement for Old Clifton Road and directed the county attorney to draft a proposed zoning ordinance for 197 Browns Mill Road. The court also held a ceremonial recognition for Henry Duncan, who is retiring from the Woodford County Board of Elections after nine years of service.

The most consequential action was approval of an agreement with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Department of Rural and Municipal Aid, for FD-15 funds totaling $1,110,877 to replace the Pains Depot Bridge. Squire Taylor moved the agreement and Squire Carl seconded; the motion carried. The court also adopted Resolution 25-06 approving the memorandum of agreement for FD-59 funds related to the same Pains Depot project; that resolution passed on a voice vote.

Judge-Executive Kaye thanked staff and the road department for preparing the county to receive the grant. Director Steve Hunter of planning and zoning was listed on the agenda as available to answer questions about a separate zoning matter.

The court voted unanimously to advertise a public bid process to repair and pave Old Clifton Road using FD-39 funds; the road was described in the meeting as having been inundated and in need of repair. The motion to advertise the bid was placed by Squire Gentry and seconded by Squire Brown.

On a land-use item, the fiscal court directed County Attorney Alan Banks to draft an ordinance for a proposed zoning map amendment affecting 197 Browns Mill Road — an application by Sea Island Soil Company LLC seeking to change the parcel’s zoning from R-1B to A-1. Banks told the court that directing him to draft the ordinance would allow the matter to appear for a potential first reading at the next meeting and that the direction did not represent a vote in favor of the rezoning. "That doesn't mean you're voting for it, but so the process can move along," Banks said. The directive to prepare a draft ordinance was approved unanimously.

The court also approved routine items: acceptance of year-end financial reports (motion by Squire Brown, second by Squire Carl), approval of claims and bills to be paid, transfers (motion by Squire Carl, second by Squire Gill), a personnel order (motion by Squire Gentry, second by Squire Varner) and the sheriff’s quarter-end report for the quarter ending June 30, 2025 (motion by Squire Gill, second by Squire Carl). A lease renewal for an entity identified in the agenda as "Weiss Elise" was approved for a one-year extension contingent on final review by the county attorney and judge; Squire Taylor recorded an abstention because he said he has a relationship with a board member of the lessee.

Before business began, the court used its "Good of the County" time to recognize Henry Duncan for nine years of service as the county Democratic representative on the Woodford County Board of Elections. County Clerk Sandy Jones, who serves as chair of the county board of elections, read the duties of the board and presented a proclamation. Jones noted the board "administers election laws at the direction under the supervision of the State Board of Elections" and said Duncan began his service on June 29, 2016. The county attorney referenced a public statement from Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman that investigators found "no credible instances of election law violations," and County Attorney Alan Banks and other court members praised Duncan’s long service — with Banks calling him "indefatigable." Henry Duncan addressed the court and thanked colleagues and staff.

The court heard no public comments. Director Hunter noted that the regular July 10 planning-and-zoning meeting will be held in the circuit courtroom on the third floor and that the proposed zoning amendment for 197 Browns Mill Road will appear on that agenda.

Votes at a glance • Approve agreement with Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (FD-15) for Pains Depot Bridge replacement — Motion: Squire Taylor; Second: Squire Carl; Outcome: approved. Amount: $1,110,877. Note: Also adopted Resolution 25-06 and MOA for FD-59 funds related to the same project (approved by voice vote). • Advertise bid for paving Old Clifton Road (FD-39 funds) — Motion: Squire Gentry; Second: Squire Brown; Outcome: approved. • Direct county attorney to draft ordinance for zoning map amendment (Sea Island Soil Company LLC; 197 Browns Mill Road; R-1B to A-1) — Motion: made and seconded; Outcome: approved (direction to draft only; no zoning change approved tonight). • Accept year-end financial reports — Motion: Squire Brown; Second: Squire Carl; Outcome: approved. • Approve transfers — Motion: Squire Carl; Second: Squire Gill; Outcome: approved. • Approve personnel order — Motion: Squire Gentry; Second: Squire Varner; Outcome: approved. • Approve Board of Assessment Appeals order of allowance — Motion: Squire Gentry; Second: Squire Downey; Outcome: approved. • Lease renewal (agenda item listed as "Weiss Elise") — Motion: Squire Veil; Second: Squire Blackford; Outcome: approved; Abstention: Squire Taylor (relationship disclosed). • Approve sheriff’s quarter-end report (ending 06/30/2025) — Motion: Squire Gill; Second: Squire Carl; Outcome: approved.

Why this matters: The FD-15 grant commits state bridge-improvement funds to a local bridge replacement project and the court’s instruction to draft a zoning ordinance moves a potential land-use change into the formal ordinance-review process. Both items will require follow-up steps (final MOAs, formal readings of any proposed ordinance, bid advertisement and contract awards) before work begins.

Next steps: The court scheduled the zoning review to appear on the regular July 10 planning-and-zoning agenda; county staff will proceed with bid advertising and grant paperwork as approved.