Simpson County Fiscal Court approves road funding, budget transfers and Goodnight House roof repairs

County Judge Executive Mason Bames presided over the Simpson County Fiscal Court's April 4, 2023 meeting at the Simpson County Historic Courthouse, where the court approved multiple funding agreements, line-item budget transfers and repairs tied to storm damage.

The court entered a Memorandum of Agreement with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Department of Highways, allocating $185,200 in discretionary funds for resurfacing on Roark Road (CR 1006) and authorized Judge Executive Mason Bames to sign the agreement. The court also adopted Resolution 2023-04-04CRA to execute the County Road Aid Cooperative Program Agreement totaling $890,288.37, effective July 1, 2023, with Bames authorized to sign to effectuate the agreement.

Magistrate Marty Chandler moved and the fiscal court adopted Resolution 2023-04-04KOHS authorizing an application to the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security for security camera upgrades at county departments; Judge Executive Mason Bames was authorized to sign.

The court adopted a $3,500 Memorandum of Agreement with the Barren River Area Development District (BRADD) to assist with reapportionment of county magisterial districts and precinct realignment and authorized the judge executive’s signature.

Soil Conservation Board member Chad Konow presented the FY23/24 budget and Plan of Work and requested a $90,000 fiscal court contribution; the court acknowledged receipt of the request (the transcript records acknowledgment but does not show a committed appropriation). The court also rescinded a February 7, 2023 motion that had authorized contracting with another vendor to replace JailCore after the jail decided to remain with JailCore.

The court approved the sale of four Sheriff’s Department vehicles (2019 Dodge Ram P/U Unit 28; 2019 Dodge Charger Unit 25; 2015 Ford Taurus Unit 16; 2013 Dodge Charger Unit 13); the method of sale will be determined at a subsequent meeting. The fiscal court approved multiple budget transfers across general, road and jail funds as itemized in the meeting record — notable transfers include $64,000 moved into PT personnel and two transfers totaling $50,000 into jail personnel lines — and approved a cash transfer of $15,100 from the General Fund to the Jail Fund.

The court approved bills and claims submitted for payment, covering vendor invoices and payroll. A detailed list of approved warrants and payroll items was included in the meeting record.

Judge Executive Mason Bames announced county offices will be closed Friday, April 7, for Good Friday and reported that approximately 200 loads of brush have been dropped off at the collection site since it opened after a March 3 windstorm; the site will reopen April 29 in coordination with the Scott Waste Amnesty Days event on April 28–29 at the Convenience Center, 2416 Kenneth Utley Drive.

Public Works Director Bobby Groves reported that Vances Mill Road should be complete except for shouldering and said the Kenny Perry Bridge project has been delayed because state permits are required for work above the dam. The court authorized repairs to the Goodnight House roof following windstorm damage: a dried-in emergency repair was done March 4, and the full metal roofing replacement was quoted at $5,558.00 with invoices to be filed with KACo for reimbursement after completion.

The meeting adjourned at 9:10 a.m.; several items (including the method for vehicle sale) were authorized for action at future meetings.