Rowan County Fiscal Court approves routine contracts, intergovernmental agreements and schedules closed session

Rowan County’s Fiscal Court met June 17 in Morehead and approved a series of routine contracts, appointments and intergovernmental agreements while scheduling a closed session to discuss a potential real‑property acquisition.

The court adopted an ordinance recognizing $556,766.68 in unbudgeted receipts to the general and ambulance funds for fiscal 2024–25. The motion passed on the floor with no recorded opposition. Judge Executive said the funds had been realized “in the general veil and ambulance funds” and directed a copy of the ordinance to the county clerk’s office.

The court also approved a one‑year agreement with the City of Morehead for emergency management director services, under which the city will pay $12,500 for the period 07/01/2025–06/30/2026. Judges and magistrates voted to authorize housing agreements to accept inmates from Montgomery County and Bath County at $42 per day for the same fiscal year, agreements the court said were on file in the county clerk’s office.

Contracts and appointments approved included: a one‑year contract with Michael K. Mackin as county finance director at $70,000; a contract with C.W. (CW) Cornett as assistant building inspector at $32.50 per hour (up to 24 billable hours per week); a monthly contract paying Joseph Kerr $683.33 to serve as subdivision coordinator; and a contract extension for Steve Richmond as IT director at $35,000 for FY 2025–26. The court also reappointed members to the county economic development council and filled an Ethics Commission vacancy by appointing Jay Padula to complete the remainder of the prior member’s term.

Procurement actions included awarding courthouse janitorial services to Sparkle Squad LLC (Nicholas Wilson) for $30,000 for FY 2025–26 and a separate park/extension office janitorial contract to the same vendor for $15,700; the court said it had advertised and received the low bid. The court authorized payment terms for a Hoop Barn order for the road department totaling $22,524, with an initial down payment of $11,262 and the remainder due on shipment.

Judge Executive described ongoing public‑works activity — pothole patching, tree and storm debris cleanup and blacktop preparation — and outlined the county’s roads budget, citing line items including salt, gravel, bridges and pipe. He told the court the county would apply for state LARP/discretionary funds to support blacktopping projects and noted timing and budget constraints around roadwork.

On the Safe Haven Baby Box program, the court approved a lease and service agreement to install a device at an EMS facility; Judge Executive highlighted the county’s maintenance obligations and said the county must carry $2,000,000 in insurance for the device and that the contract appears one‑sided on liability. The court voted to approve the agreement and recorded the approval on the minutes.

The court adopted a standing order authorizing electronic payments for certain regularly paid vendors pursuant to KRS 68.02 and KRS 68.275 and discussed which payments will be transitioned (utilities, leases, payroll) as electronic systems are readied.

Before adjourning to closed session under KRS 61.81(b) to deliberate future acquisition or sale of real property, the judge reminded the public that any action taken after the closed session would be reflected in the minutes. The court then voted to enter a closed session.

Votes at a glance - Ordinance adopting unbudgeted receipts, $556,766.68 — approved (voice vote). - Agreement with City of Morehead for emergency management services ($12,500/year) — approved (voice vote). - Ethics Commission appointment — Jay Padula — approved (roll call; recorded votes in minutes). - Janitorial contract awards — Sparkle Squad LLC (courthouse $30,000; park/extension $15,700) — approved (roll call). - Contracts: Finance director (Michael K. Mackin, $70,000), CW Cornett (assistant building inspector), Joseph Kerr (subdivision coordinator), Steve Richmond (IT director) — all approved (roll calls). - Safe Haven Baby Box lease/service agreement — approved (voice/roll call). - Inter-county inmate housing agreements (Montgomery, Bath counties at $42/day) — approved (voice vote). - Standing order authorizing electronic payments (KRS 68.02; KRS 68.275) — approved (voice vote). - Hoop Barn payment (down payment $11,262, total $22,524) — approved (voice vote).

Context and next steps The meeting included updates on construction of the new senior center (Judge Executive said the project is “on schedule”) and ongoing storm cleanup. The court said it will advertise a public bid for a county pothole‑patching unit (the “total patcher”) because the purchase price is not on a state pricing contract, and will address that procurement in the next fiscal quarter. The court went into closed session to deliberate a proposed property acquisition; any subsequent action will be recorded in the minutes.

Attribution Quotes and attributions in this report are taken directly from the June 17, 2025 Rowan County Fiscal Court meeting record and are attributed to the speakers as identified in the court transcript.