Nelson County Fiscal Court approves clerk settlement, K9 purchases and resolution backing jail funding bill
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Summary
At its March 3 meeting, the Nelson County Fiscal Court accepted a county clerk excess-fee settlement of $705,006.81, approved K9 purchases (one funded by the Commonwealth attorney, one with opioid funds), backed a resolution urging passage of House Bill 557 to increase jail funding, and authorized up to $15,000 to hire a lobbying firm for an industrial park effort.
Nelson County Fiscal Court met March 3 and approved a series of motions covering fiscal settlements, public-safety equipment and state advocacy.
The court accepted the county clerk’s excess-fee settlement of $705,006.81, turning the funds over to fiscal court, after County Clerk Jeanette presented the account totals. "With our excess fees, we have a total of $705,006.81," Jeanette told the court, and members approved moving the funds to fiscal accounts by voice vote.
The court approved two separate motions on K9 units. The Commonwealth attorney agreed to purchase one retiring K9 for about $10,500 and reimburse fiscal court; the court voted to buy a second K9 for the sheriff’s office and pay for it using opioid-fund dollars. Court members described the dogs as valuable assets for drug enforcement and school searches.
Members passed a resolution urging Kentucky lawmakers to support House Bill 557, which the presiding official said would return an estimated $1 million to $1.5 million to Nelson County if enacted. The resolution directs staff to transmit copies to the county’s state representatives and senators.
The court also authorized spending of up to $15,000 to contract with Government Strategies LLC to lobby for infrastructure funding for a proposed industrial park. Officials said the contract would use budgeted funds and does not guarantee state money, only representation and advocacy.
Other votes included a fee-schedule amendment to explicitly list a $20 daily per diem for mental-health-court participants, approval of jail policy and procedure updates, and a motion to pursue bids or grant applications for new dispatch consoles. Most votes were carried by voice vote with members responding "Aye." The court moved into executive session at the end of the open meeting.
The court set no final dollar totals for dispatch-console procurement and directed staff to pursue grant opportunities and, if necessary, advertise bids to include planned replacements in next year’s budget.