Simpson County Fiscal Court approves budget amendments, grant commitments and project authorizations
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Summary
At its Jan. 17 meeting the Simpson County Fiscal Court approved multiple routine financial actions — including a 13% local match for a $600,000 Hazard Mitigation Grant safe room, establishment of an opioid settlement account, first reading of a budget amendment, and authorization to seek a $2.4M grant for Project Thoroughbred.
Simpson County Fiscal Court on Jan. 17 approved a cluster of financial and administrative actions, including a commitment of local matching funds for a FEMA‑eligible safe room, creation of an opioid settlement account, and authorization to pursue a state grant for industrial access improvements.
The court authorized County Judge Executive Mason Bames to sign a financial commitment letter for a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program application through the University of Kentucky to build a safe room at F‑S Community Park. The county committed 13 percent of the $600,000 project — $78,000 — which may include in‑kind contributions.
The court also authorized establishing a 1.5 percent interest‑bearing checking account at German American Bank for opioid settlement funds and approved moving $2,500 from the General Fund as startup money for that account. Members gave first reading approval to FY22/23 Budget Ordinance No. 220.248, Amendment No. 4.
Court members approved a package of elected officials’ surety bonds and Sheriff Jere Dee Hopson’s $50,000 revenue bond as required under Kentucky Revised Statutes §123.230. The body authorized advertising to purchase four new sheriff’s department vehicles and approved a cash transfer of $3,179.33 from the Federal Grant Fund to the General Fund as well as several interdepartmental budget adjustments recorded in the minutes.
In an economic development action, the court authorized Simpson County to enter into up to a $2.4 million grant agreement, effective Jan. 26, 2023, with the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, the State Property and Buildings Commission and the Franklin Simpson County Industrial Authority to build an industrial access road and related improvements at Stone‑Givens Industrial Park for “Project Thoroughbred,” and authorized Judge Executive Bames to sign the agreement if awarded.
The court approved bills and claims as presented, and approved the Dec. 31, 2022 financial statement subject to audit. The meeting concluded after a brief executive session and the court authorized Judge Executive Bames to sign a letter of support for a Kentucky Business Investment (KBI) application for Project Tiger before adjourning at 9:47 a.m.
Procedural notes: motions were typically made and seconded from the bench (motions and seconders are recorded in the minutes). Several agenda items were tabled — notably an Administrative Code amendment was deferred until Feb. 21 — and an appointment (Mark Dobbs) was made to the Goodnight Memorial Library Board to fill an unexpired term.