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Spencer County Fiscal Court accepts $62,910 recycling grant after tied vote earlier
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Summary
After revisiting a previously tied decision, the Spencer County Fiscal Court voted 4–2 to accept a Kentucky Pride recycling grant worth $62,910 and authorized the judge-executive to sign the agreement, despite some magistrates saying parts of the equipment list were unnecessary.
Spencer County Fiscal Court voted July 1 to accept a Kentucky Pride recycling grant and authorized County Judge Executive John Riley to sign the agreement, winning approval after the item previously failed on a 3–3 tie. The grant award totals $62,910 and covers equipment including a baler, trailers and mesh box holders for the county recycling center.
The court revisited the application after county officials said the state had already awarded the funds and was awaiting the county’s formal acceptance. City Clerk Steve Biven, who briefed the court on the completed FEMA drainage item earlier, and other officials told the court that the grant needed a county signature to release funds. Judge Riley said accepting the award was necessary because “they had already committed those funds to Spencer County,” and officials in Frankfort were awaiting the county’s decision.
Esq. Brewer moved to authorize the judge to sign the grant agreement; Esq. Travis seconded. The motion passed with all members voting “aye” except Magistrates J. Moody and M. Moody, who voted “nay.” Magistrates opposing the measure questioned whether the full equipment list was necessary; Esq. M. Moody said the package included trailers and other items he believed were superfluous and that the county had unused trailers on site.
Proponents including resident and engineer Gene Balter argued the grant would improve recycling infrastructure and avoid environmental harms from landfill or illegal dumping. Balter said he used the county facility extensively and urged the court not to decline what he called “free money” that would improve the center’s operation.
The signed grant agreement requires the county to assign the 2019–2020 Recycling Grant funds to a designated state-grant line item, designate a project coordinator, submit quarterly reports, and install and maintain equipment by the June 30, 2020 deadline. The county must reimburse the state for funds that are unspent or not expended per the agreement’s terms.
The court’s vote resolves a dispute that had drawn review from the state Division of Waste Management after an earlier 3–3 tie left the award in limbo. Judge Riley said he was not entirely pleased with how the recycling center currently operates but said the county should accept the funds and improve the operation. The county will now proceed to sign the grant documents and program coordinators will be assigned to track quarterly reporting and equipment installation.