Greenup County fiscal court keeps tax rates steady, approves CDBG application and multiple appointments

The Greenup County Fiscal Court on Aug. 12 approved its 2025 real‑property and tangible tax rates, authorized a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application and accompanying interlocal agreement for a local volunteer fire department, and took a string of personnel and budget votes during a regular meeting.

Judge Executive Bobby Hall opened the meeting by addressing confusion about local levies, saying the county does not have and does not plan to adopt a county restaurant tax, county insurance tax or county payroll (occupational) tax. "Not only do we not have a tourism restaurant tax, we also are proud to say that forever, we do not have a county insurance tax and we do not have a county payroll tax," Hall said.

The court then approved the 2025 county tax rates as presented at the meeting; the Judge Executive reported the real‑property rate would be held at the current level (reported in the meeting as "34.7"), the tangible personal property rate would be reduced (reported as dropping from "50.1 to 30"), and motor‑vehicle and watercraft rates remained at about 8.9. Hall emphasized that county tax rates are set by the fiscal court and reiterated that those approvals do not create restaurant, insurance or payroll taxes.

On grants and intergovernmental agreements, grant manager Eric Patton presented a resolution authorizing Greenup County to submit a CDBG application that would benefit a local fire department. The resolution designates the county as the applicant and pass‑through entity for federal requirements; the court approved the resolution by voice vote. Patton also presented an interlocal agreement spelling out that any matching funds or amounts exceeding the grant would be the responsibility of the fire department; the court approved the agreement and Patton said the county and the fire department chief will sign the document.

The court handled a series of appointments and personnel actions. By voice vote the court appointed Jason Mittitow to the Greenup County Public Library Board of Trustees for a four‑year term effective Aug. 1, 2025, and appointed James Dumont to a four‑year library board term effective July 1, 2025. The court accepted the resignation of Jason Grama as stormwater coordinator and appointed Eric Patton to that role effective Aug. 1. The court approved increasing the coroner's annual office expense budget from $3,600 to $6,000 per year contingent on submitted receipts and approved a salary correction for Brett Dowdy (from $20.50 to $21.53 per hour, effective July 1).

Road department personnel actions included approval to hire David McReynolds part time at $15 per hour (effective Aug. 11) and to hire Jim Witt as a full‑time mechanic effective Aug. 18 at $21.50 per hour. The court agreed to advertise bids for a Streamtown Road retaining wall and work on Rivendell Road.

Public Safety Director Buford Harley announced two telecommunicator hires — Maya (Mia) Johnson and Tiffany Pennington — at $16 per hour on probation until required certifications are completed; the court approved those hires. Grant and emergency management items were discussed: the court heard that FEMA project submissions are under review, that the county received a federal disaster declaration (DR‑4864) for public assistance for April–May 2025 storms but that individual assistance was denied, and that the county's mobile command coach and a SAFER outreach program are being used for public‑safety outreach.

Ambulance Director Kevin Callahan reported 675 emergency transports in July and said the Greenup County Ambulance Authority again passed its Kentucky Board of EMS annual inspection with a perfect score. "The ambulance authority once again passed with a perfect score," Callahan said, and added the service is regarded highly by state inspectors.

Financial motions approved by the court included accepting Treasurer Sharon Bates' monthly settlement for July, approving interfund transfers as presented, and motions to pay expenses and bills where funds are available. The court approved the July 15, 2025 minutes earlier in the meeting.

During public comment Ernie Sue Garvin asked the court to extend Garvin Road about 400 feet so the family could build a house; Judge Executive Hall said Henry, the road supervisor, would inspect the site and the item would be considered at the September court meeting.

The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn in memory of several community members. All motions described above were approved by voice vote unless otherwise noted. The court did not adopt any new county restaurant, insurance or payroll taxes during the meeting.