Fiscal Court rejects Brow Road paving, appoints viewers to consider discontinuing Montgomery Road

At its Oct. 2 special meeting, the Gallatin County Fiscal Court voted to reject a proposal to pave Brow Road and appointed two viewers to begin the process of discontinuing a portion of Montgomery Road.

Staff said Boone County offered to pay its portion of Brow Road; county staff subsequently provided an estimate of roughly $6,200 to pave the identified portion. After members noted the road has no tax base and is in generally good condition, a motion was made to reject the paving proposal. The court approved the rejection by voice vote.

On a separate item, staff reviewed the statutory process for discontinuing a road and referenced statute 178.07, which requires appointing two viewers to inspect the road with the road supervisor and report back to the court. The presiding officer said he had asked Barry Brown and Brandon Roberts—property owners in the area—to serve as the viewers; both accepted and the court appointed them. The presiding officer asked for a report from the viewers next week.

Officials also discussed project phases and ownership: Phase 1 is the portion the county owns and that county road crews will handle, while Phase 2 includes a concrete portion still owned by the state that must be transferred before the county can convey road portions to a private party (mentioned as Nucor) in exchange for a new portion of road.

Staff additionally reported the railroad crossing near the new court has deteriorated and that a contractor referenced as 'Newborn' will perform repairs expected to take about four to five days, likely the week of Oct. 20; at least one lane will be maintained while flagging is used during work.

The court took formal action to reject paving and to appoint viewers; both motions passed by voice vote.