Spencer County Fiscal Court adopts ARPA resolution, approves animal shelter payment and hires EMS director

Spencer County Judge/Executive Scott Travis presided over the Nov. 4 Spencer County Fiscal Court meeting in Taylorsville, where the court adopted a resolution electing the American Rescue Plan Act standard allowance of revenue loss and approved an allocation plan for the county’s $3,758,705.00 ARPA award.

The resolution, adopted by unanimous voice vote, directs county officials to make the election required by 31 CFR § 35.6(d) and includes an expenditure chart for categories that the court identified for use of the funds, including county payroll, EMS ambulances, detention center costs, road equipment and other items.

In other business the court approved a payment of $149,170.27 to WPC Company Inc. to cover invoices for the county animal shelter project, including change order #3. The motion to pay was made by Esq. J. Travis and seconded by Esq. Pharris and carried on a voice vote with all members saying "Aye." The court also rejected a bid for back-area changes to the shelter on a separate motion.

The court adopted Ordinance No. 5 to accept three remaining roads in the Heritage Hills subdivision (Heritage Way, Rock Fence Ct and Clayleen Way) onto the county road system after confirming inspections and bond requirements. The adoption passed on a unanimous voice vote.

Several operating and capital items were approved as part of the consent docket, including a $35,791.50 purchase of two recycling trailers from Metal Works 360 Inc., multiple invoice payments across county funds, and several budget transfers recorded in the meeting packet.

During a public-comment period earlier in the meeting, resident David Wilder complained that paving work on Hochstrasser Road had created drainage problems and said "the road is a mess" and that "300ft of water" is running onto his property; later the court voted to install a three-way stop at the Washburn Lane/Hochstrasser intersection on a motion by Esq. Stump and second by Esq. Pharris (Esq. Eldridge voted "Nay").

The court entered executive session at 10:30 a.m. and returned at 10:40 a.m.; on returning, the court voted to hire Robert Klinglesmith as EMS director effective immediately at an annual salary of $72,000 (motion by Esq. Stump, seconded by Esq. Eldridge; voice vote "Aye"). The meeting adjourned at 10:50 a.m.

Votes at a glance - Approval of Oct. 21 minutes — Passed (motion: Esq. Eldridge; second: Esq. Cotton). - Approval of Oct. 25 special meeting minutes — Passed (Esq. J. Travis motion; Esq. Cotton second; Esqs. Eldridge and Stump abstained). - ARPA resolution adopting standard allowance and allocation chart — Passed (unanimous). - Payment to WPC Company Inc., $149,170.27 (animal shelter, application #2) — Passed (unanimous). - Reject bid for animal shelter back-area changes — Passed (majority; one dissent noted). - Ordinance #5 adopting Heritage Hills roads onto county system — Passed (unanimous). - Purchase of two recycling trailers, $35,791.50 — Passed (unanimous). - Appointments to Extension District Board (Morgan Mayers, Courtney Jeffiers) — Passed (unanimous). - Install 3-way stop at Washburn Ln/Hochstrasser Rd — Passed (Esq. Eldridge Nay). - Hire Robert Klinglesmith as EMS Director, $72,000/yr — Passed (unanimous).

What the ARPA vote means The court’s resolution elects the standard allowance of revenue loss permitted in Treasury guidance and adopts a spending chart that identifies $3,758,705 in allocations across categories including county employee payroll, EMS ambulances, detention center expenses and road equipment. The resolution authorizes the judge/executive and designees to make required elections in Treasury reporting.

Next steps Several approved payments and purchases will proceed to vendor payment, and the county will implement the hire of the EMS director. The court noted that the post-election audit livestream plan remains under consideration pending minor equipment decisions and storage logistics for the proposed iPad and tripod.