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Simpson County discusses ARPA-funded county office plan amid debate over park uses; design services vote recorded
Summary
Fiscal Court heard Spurr Architecture's proposal for a Clerk/PVA office on Ditmore property using ARPA funds; some magistrates pushed for spending on a community center at Jim Roberts Park instead. The minutes record a split vote on proceeding with the architecture firm's design services.
Simpson County Fiscal Court heard a presentation from Chris Spum of Spurr Architecture, PLLC on June 7 about preliminary design services for a proposed building to house the County Clerk and property valuation administrator (PVA) on county‑owned Ditmore property at East Kentucky Avenue and North Court Street.
Judge/Executive Mason Barnes introduced the concept, proposing American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds as the likely capital source. Spurr's design fee estimate was discussed in the meeting; Magistrate Myron Thurman described the $110,000 design cost as too high, while Magistrate Scott Poston urged consideration of locating community facilities at Jim Roberts Community Park instead of a new county office building.
During discussion, court members noted a separate private funding commitment: Kentucky Downs has pledged $150,000 per year to the park for 20 years, a line of support county leaders said could be steered to park capital projects.
The minutes record a roll‑call style result on the motion to proceed with Spurr Architecture's design services: Magistrates Chandler and Barnes voted in favor, and Magistrates Poston, Thurman and Downey voted against. The minutes simultaneously record a line that the court would "Proceed with design services of Spum Architecture, PLLC," an inconsistency between the recorded vote and the subsequent action noted in the minutes. The transcript does not resolve that inconsistency.
Magistrate Chandler suggested coordinating any park or building decision with Park Director Lisa Deavers and the park master plan; Deavers later presented a separate Lose Design master plan and requested funding to implement park improvements.
County officials noted the time sensitivity of obligating approximately $2 million in ARPA funds; if not spent within program deadlines, federal rules could require returning unspent funds to the Treasury. The minutes do not include a completed funding plan or contract award for the Ditmore site at the June 7 meeting.
