Spencer County fiscal court rejects joining KIPDA "Safe Streets" action plan

Spencer County Fiscal Court heard a presentation July 18 from Alex Posorske of the Kentuckiana Regional Planning and Development Agency (KIPDA) about the Region Safe Streets and Roads for ALL action-plan opportunity that could unlock federal roadway-safety funds for the county.

Posorske told the court an action plan would identify vulnerable roadway segments and safety improvements and that a participating county would need to put up $5,000 initially for program administration while federal funds were pursued. "If Spencer County was interested and followed through with an action plan it had a potential to be awarded a large amount of federal funds," Posorske said.

Magistrate Jim Travis moved that the court express interest and participate; County Judge Executive John Riley seconded for consideration at the roll-call vote. The motion failed on a 2–4 vote. The minutes record that Judge Riley and Magistrate Travis voted "Aye." Magistrates M. Moody, Beaverson, J. Moody and Brewer voted "Nay." No amendment or follow-up study motion was recorded.

Supporters said the regional plan could bring significant federal dollars for identified safety fixes. Opponents expressed concern about the county's upfront $5,000 obligation and preferred not to commit county funds without more detail; the transcript records the vote result but does not include additional written conditions or a referral to staff for further analysis.

The court continued with other business after the vote; there was no recorded motion to reconsider at the meeting.