Spencer County approves Louisville Metro agreement to maintain emergency warning sirens

Spencer County Fiscal Court voted on Nov. 20 to proceed with a memorandum of understanding with Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Public Works to provide maintenance and potential installation work on the county’s community warning sirens.

The court’s emergency management director, Chris Limpp, told the court the existing sirens are old and that Louisville Metro was the only provider familiar and able to service them; he supplied a draft agreement that would run through June 30, 2025, with overtime billing rates set by Metro union contracts. According to the draft, a minimum three-person crew would be used, with overtime and holiday hourly rates described in the agreement; the contract also notes equipment and material costs would be charged at direct cost.

“Those were the only people who could work on the sirens,” Limpp said, urging the court to secure maintenance. Judge Scott Travis and other magistrates stressed the county needs all towers operational before winter storm season; the court instructed Limpp to coordinate testing with the fire department and to prioritize repairs.

The motion to proceed with the agreement was made by Magistrate Esq. Travis and seconded by Esq. Stump and carried by voice vote with all members present voting "aye." Court discussion included the high replacement cost Limpp cited — roughly $110,000–$120,000 per new unit — and the county’s long-term need to consider modernized systems.

The agreement presented to the court specifies service start and termination dates, invoicing procedures (monthly billings, 30-day payment terms), and union-mandated minimums for overtime. County staff said they will begin coordinated testing and report back on any immediate repairs needed.

The court’s action directs staff to finalize the MOU and to schedule siren tests so the county has functioning warning towers before Dec. 10, 2023.