Franklin County Fiscal Court adopts FY 2024–25 budget, approves jail policies, contracts and $6 million CD

Franklin County Fiscal Court met June 5, 2024, and adopted the fiscal year 2024–25 budget ordinance, approved a series of interagency agreements and vendor contracts, and took personnel actions, the court’s minutes show.

County Judge/Executive Michael Mueller presided over the meeting. The court voted unanimously to adopt Ordinance #4-2024, the second reading of the county’s budget for fiscal year 2024–25. The motion to adopt the ordinance was moved by Squire Sherry Sebastian and seconded by Squire J.W. Blackburn.

The session was largely routine business that cleared a package of approvals without prolonged debate. The court approved several Memoranda of Agreement related to the Franklin County Regional Jail, including an agreement to establish substance abuse and addiction treatment services coordinated with the Commonwealth of Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, and an agreement to implement provisions relating to House Bill 556. The court also approved a memorandum with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the Department of Corrections to permit roadside inmate work crews.

The court authorized a contract with W.W. Williams for preventative maintenance on the county’s emergency generator system, including provisions allowing up to four one-year automatic renewals. It approved a new Franklin County Regional Jail Policy and Procedure Manual and accepted the County Attorney’s cold check expenses/excess fees report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023.

On procurement, the court awarded several bids: fire department uniforms to Galls; engineering services to HMB Professional Engineers, LLC; Class I Bituminous Surface to H.G. Mays Corp.; N12 polyethylene pipe and fittings to Core and Main; and Class A Concrete & Fiber to Harrod Concrete and Stone. Two awards for aggregates and concrete noted Squire Sherry Sebastian abstained from those particular votes. A change order (Change Order #2) on the Vehicle Storage for Road Department Project addressing foundation drains was approved over one opposing vote from Squire Eric Whisman.

The court approved Resolution #21-2024 authorizing an application to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Department of Rural and Municipal Aid for a Transportation Alternatives Program grant.

Financial actions included approval of FY 2023–24 budget transfers, receipt of the Treasurer’s report, and authorization for the Treasurer to open a Wesbanco certificate of deposit for $6,000,000 to improve investment earnings.

No motion was offered to deny a claim, and bills were ordered paid. The court then moved into a closed session under KRS 61.810(1)(f) for discussions that might lead to appointment, discipline, or dismissal of an individual employee; the court returned to open session and approved the promotion of Kelsey Torres Esqueda from Deputy Jailer to Sergeant. The meeting adjourned at 6:57 p.m.

Votes at a glance - Approval of May 22, 2024 minutes: Motion by Squire Sherry Sebastian; passed unanimously (7–0). - MOA — substance abuse treatment at Franklin County Regional Jail: Passed unanimously (7–0). - MOA — House Bill 556 implementation: Passed unanimously (7–0). - MOA — roadside inmate work crews: Passed unanimously (7–0). - Contract with W.W. Williams (generator maintenance): Passed unanimously (7–0). - Approval of FRJ Policy & Procedure Manual: Passed unanimously (7–0). - Change Order #2 (Vehicle Storage foundation drains): Passed (6–1); Squire Whisman opposed. - Sublease for Crime Victim Advocate space: Passed unanimously (7–0). - Resolution #21-2024 (TAP grant application): Passed unanimously (7–0). - Bid awards (selected highlights): Multiple awards approved; abstentions by Squire Sherry Sebastian recorded on the Various Sizes of Aggregates and Class A Concrete & Fiber awards. - Ordinance #4-2024 (FY 2024–25 budget): Passed unanimously (7–0). - Treasurer authorized to open Wesbanco CD for $6,000,000: Passed unanimously (7–0). - Promotion of Kelsey Torres Esqueda to Sergeant: Passed unanimously (7–0).

What this means The court’s actions formalize the county’s spending plan for the coming fiscal year, continue coordination with state corrections agencies on jail operations and inmate work crews, and put several infrastructure and service contracts in place. Few items drew opposition; most votes were unanimous. The promotion and the closed session reflect routine personnel actions handled under statutory privacy provisions.