Franklin County wins $1.5M+ for Harmdale sewer and applies for $250K LiDAR flood data grant

Frankfort — County planning staff told the fiscal court Sept. 25 that the Harmdale Sanitation District has secured additional grant awards and that the county will apply for a $250,000 local-match LiDAR grant.

Tammy said the Department for Local Government awarded an additional $250,000 in CDBG funds, and the Kentucky Economic Development Cabinet awarded $1,250,000 in grant funding for the Harmdale Sanitation District sewer project. Tammy said those awards bring total committed funding to $10,750,000; the Bluegrass authority has submitted paperwork to the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority for a state revolving fund loan and the county is expecting an environmental clearance from the EPA around the middle of next month.

Tammy also requested authorization to participate in the Commonwealth Office of Technology’s local match participation program to secure $250,000 toward a statewide LiDAR update. She explained LiDAR data improves flood modeling and helps first responders and damage-assessment teams following severe weather; county staff said the Commonwealth Office of Technology will provide the planning and zoning office with the data.

The court asked clarifying questions about how funds would be drawn and whether county finances would be encumbered; Tammy said the county would draw down funds and then issue checks to the Commonwealth Office of Technology and that the county would not encumber local budget funds for the LiDAR project.

Outcome and next steps: The court approved a resolution authorizing the county judge to sign and file the local-match participation program application; county staff will continue coordinating with KIA and EPA on the Harmdale project timetable and loan application.