Franklin County renews Buffalo Trace compost lease amid contract clause concerns

Frankfort — The Franklin County Fiscal Court voted to renew a one-year lease with Buffalo Trace LLC for the county's livestock compost pad but several members asked staff to renegotiate or clarify language that governs alterations and ownership of structures on the leased property.

Ali, the county's solid-waste coordinator, told the court the only substantive change in the renewal was a shift in groundwater monitoring from quarterly to annual after consultation with Buffalo Trace's environmental engineer. He provided the county's water service report and said everything "looks good." The lease term on the agenda runs from Sept. 16, 2025 to Sept. 16, 2026.

Court members raised a long-standing clause that states tenant-built structures on the leased site may become the lessor's property or must be removed at lease end. Several members recalled prior conversations allowing a minimal, quickly deconstructible shelter to protect equipment; others recommended negotiating clearer clauses or amending the contract for next year. "When we built it, … it's going to be theirs unless there's some kind of agreement with you," one member said.

Why it matters: The compost operation has been a valuable county partnership and a state example, but members noted that annual leases complicate the county's investments in site improvements, public access for tours and future expansion options.

Next steps: The court approved the one-year renewal to keep operations moving and directed staff to meet with Buffalo Trace legal counsel to clarify the use-of-premises, alterations and public-access language for the next-year renewal cycle.