Oldham Fiscal Court backs joining North Central Kentucky drug task force, agrees $40,000 startup pledge contingent on final agreement

Oldham County Fiscal Court voted Feb. 4 to proceed toward joining the North Central Kentucky Drug Task Force and authorized County Judge/Executive David Vogel to execute an interlocal agreement once the document is finalized.

The fiscal court’s action followed a presentation from Magistrate Benjamin Shadyen, who moved “to proceed with joining the North Central Kentucky Drug Task Force and to authorize the judge executive to execute the interlocal agreement regarding the task force once finalized, which includes expending a $40,000 initial payment towards the start of expenses.” The motion carried after discussion; no roll-call vote tally was recorded on the transcript.

The court’s support is conditional: speakers repeatedly stressed that no funds would be transferred until the final interlocal agreement is approved by participating counties and reviewed by the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office. County Attorney Mr. Baxter told the court that an interlocal agreement must be approved by the attorney general and, by statute, the office generally has 30 days to act. “If it is signed off, it has to go to the attorney general’s office for final approval,” Baxter said.

Judge David Vogel and other magistrates voiced support for a regional response to illegal drugs but pressed for clarity on funding and operational details. Vogel said he supported investing in the effort but noted it was “yet to be determined” whether startup funds would come from opioid-settlement funds, grants, forfeiture proceeds or the county general fund. He also said any ongoing commitment should be clarified before funds become recurring budget items. Magistrate Logsdon and others asked for explicit language about what the task force would do within Oldham County and about escape provisions if a county later opted out.

Major Jeffries spoke in favor of moving forward, saying regional cooperation was needed and that he hoped opioid funds could cover some costs. County staff and committee members said the initial plan would be to hire a director who would help pursue grants and other funding. Participants noted other counties on the I-71 corridor had expressed interest; some counties — including Henry and Trimble — had indicated support, while the status of Gallatin, Owen and Carroll counties was still being determined.

Officials said the expected startup cost per participating county would be $40,000 and that participating counties would usually not transfer funds until all or a required set of counties sign the agreement. County staff also said there should be an “escape” clause allowing a county to withdraw after an initial period if the arrangement proved unsuitable.

The court instructed the judge and county attorney to continue negotiating the memorandum of understanding and return the final interlocal agreement for formal approval. The motion passed with the court’s verbal “aye” vote; no named roll-call was recorded on the public transcript.

Votes and next steps: the court approved moving forward conceptually and signaled willingness to contribute up to $40,000 toward startup costs if the final agreement meets the court’s conditions. The interlocal agreement will be subject to attorney general review and recording with the Secretary of State before funds are disbursed.

Officials said a regional meeting of interested counties is scheduled for Feb. 21 to continue drafting the agreement and discussing funding and operational questions.