Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Spencer County hears progress on Old Heady bridge, Ray Jewell path permit and considers financing options for large projects
Loading...
Summary
County engineers reported design, environmental and floodplain work on the FEMA‑funded Old Heady Road bridge; KYTC issued an encroachment permit for the Ray Jewell path with pavement specifications; the court reviewed project cost increases and financing options including KACo leasing and approved staff to pursue FEMA reimbursement support.
Andrea Clifford of QK4 briefed the Spencer County Fiscal Court on Aug. 19 about several large capital projects, including the Old Heady Road bridge (FEMA eligible), Ray Jewell Park 2.0 and a pavilion/farmers‑market project.
Clifford said design plans for the Old Heady bridge are complete and that environmental, archaeological and biological reviews found no conflicts; remaining steps include floodplain work and property easements before a FEMA package is submitted. She and Judge Scott Travis discussed surprise cost increases related to moving waterlines and whether FEMA would reimburse the higher costs; QK4 said it would pursue reimbursement with FEMA and explore options with the county’s grant administrator.
QK4 also reported that the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) approved an encroachment permit for the Ray Jewell path under KY‑44. The permit includes pavement section requirements (dense graded aggregate base, specified asphalt lift thicknesses) and standard KYTC conditions for traffic control, liability insurance and a Notice of Completion form; county staff will need to comply with KYTC and Division of Water permit conditions.
Judge Travis and court members reviewed updated cost estimates for other projects: a pavilion/farmers market (estimated $500,000+), Ray Jewell Park 2.0 (costs depend on whether county forces or contractors are used) and an animal shelter overrun (original loan $330,000 but bids and additional work projected total costs near $650,000). The court discussed KACo Leasing Trust and bonding options to bridge cash flows and noted FEMA reimbursements can be delayed until completion and inspection.
The court asked staff to explore financing approaches, to ensure insurance and permit conditions are met for the KYTC encroachment permit, and to return with options. No capital‑budget appropriation was finally voted on at the Aug. 19 meeting; discussion was informational and preparatory to future funding actions.