Pike County Fiscal Court authorizes Appalachian grant application, EDA payment, personnel moves and host agreement

Pike County Fiscal Court on an evening session voted to move forward on several administrative and contractual matters, including a grant application, a reimbursable construction payment, personnel changes and a host community agreement.

The court authorized submission of an application to the Appalachian Kentucky Civic Experiment Grant Program to fund a fence at the Greasy Creek Community Center. Sharon, a staff member who introduced the item, said the request "is grant for the fence," and Commissioner Adkins moved to authorize the application; the motion passed on a roll call vote.

The court also authorized a check to H2O Construction for $109,181.25 as draw 7 under Contract 1C for work at the Industrial Technology Park. The County Judge noted the payment "is federal grant money" and that the amount will be reimbursed by the Economic Development Administration. Commissioner Scott moved for the payment and Commissioner Adkins seconded; the roll call approved the authorization.

After an executive session called to discuss personnel and economic development matters under Kentucky open meetings law, the court returned and acknowledged the resignation of Kenneth Reed from Roadblock 6. The court approved hiring James Kendrick as a solid base loader at a stated hourly rate. The personnel motion was seconded and carried; Commissioner Scott recorded an abstention in the roll call.

The court approved a host community agreement between Pike County Fiscal Court and a newly formed corporation described in the meeting packet as a subsidiary of "USA Waste Management." The County Judge said he had a corrected copy to execute and would email it to counsel after the meeting. Commissioner Lewis seconded the motion and the roll call vote carried.

During commissioners' remarks the court praised county road and solid waste crews for work during recent snow and ice events. Commissioner Hayek and Commissioner Scott both thanked staff for overnight efforts. The County Judge defended suspending certain services when conditions are hazardous, saying doing so can be necessary "to qualify for state and federal assistance" if a disaster warrants it, and he described a process for residents seeking a $6.12 credit if they haul missed garbage to the Ford Mountain landfill and provide a receipt.

The meeting opened and closed with prayer and adjourned after the clerk called the final roll.

Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes (01/20/2026): Motion by Commissioner Scott; second by Commissioner Lewis; roll call carried (all present voted yes per roll call). - Appalachian Kentucky Civic Experiment Grant application (Greasy Creek Community Center fence): Motion by Commissioner Adkins; roll call carried (Scott yes; Adkins yes; Lewis yes; County Judge yes). - Payment to H2O Construction, $109,181.25 (draw 7, contract 1C; EDA reimbursement): Motion by Commissioner Scott; second by Commissioner Adkins; roll call carried (Scott yes; Adkins yes; Lewis yes; County Judge yes). - Personnel: Acknowledge resignation of Kenneth Reed and hire James Kendrick as solid base loader: Motion carried on roll call (Commissioner Scott abstained; others voted yes). - Host community agreement with newly formed corporation described as a subsidiary of "USA Waste Management": Motion by County Judge (as presented); second by Commissioner Lewis; roll call carried (Scott yes; Adkins yes; Lewis yes; County Judge yes).

What happens next: The County Judge said he will execute the corrected host community agreement and email it to counsel; no other future hearings or deadlines were specified during the meeting.