Simpson County Fiscal Court approves first reading of industrial rezoning, adopts budget amendment and OKs drainage funding
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Summary
At its Sept. 3 meeting the Simpson County Fiscal Court approved first reading of a rezoning to Heavy Industrial for 10.393 acres along Witt and Cal Harris roads, adopted a $271,257.60 budget amendment, authorized $80,000 in KYTC 80/20 drainage funding and approved personnel and procurement steps.
County Judge/Executive Mason Barnes convened the Simpson County Fiscal Court at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 3 in the Simpson County Historic Courthouse and opened a meeting that included a zoning vote, budget action, procurement authorizations and personnel approvals.
The most contested action was a rezoning request by L&W Properties. Attorney Amanda East, accompanied by client Jeff Collins, asked the court to rezone 10.393 acres along Witt Road (KY‑2593) and Cal Harris Road (CR‑1209) from Agricultural (AG) to Heavy Industrial (I‑2). The court reviewed the Franklin–Simpson Planning & Zoning Commission’s recommendation following a June 4 public hearing and recalled that the request had been withdrawn from a July 16 vote amid water‑retention concerns. Several magistrates also said a marketing rendering had created a mistaken perception of the development plan. After discussion the court approved first reading of Ordinance No. 920.125 (motion by Magistrate Myron Thurman, second by Magistrate Scott Poston); Thurman, Poston, Jeffrey Burr, Marty Chandler and Barnes voted in favor.
Court members also approved second reading and final passage of FY24/25 Budget Ordinance No. 220.258, Amendment No. 1, totaling $271,257.60. The fiscal court accepted the 2023 county tax settlement presented by Jada Freeman of the Simpson County Sheriff’s office, reporting just over $1.8 million collected (about 98% collection), and acknowledged the Simpson County Extension District’s compensating tax rates (Real Property 1.8, Personal Property 2.59, Motor Vehicle 2.0).
On infrastructure, the court approved Resolution No. 2024‑09‑03RBG and authorized entering an agreement with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Department of Rural and Municipal Aid, for an FY25 80/20 Bridge Fund allocation of $80,000 to replace a drainage structure on Robey‑Bethel Grove Road (CR‑1300). The court authorized advertising for bids for that replacement (bids due by 10:00 a.m. Sept. 27, 2024). Judge Barnes also called a special‑called fiscal court meeting for 8:30 a.m. Sept. 9 to receive and consider bids (due Sept. 6) and potentially award the Neely Road culvert replacement after Neely Road collapsed at the culvert.
Judge Barnes reported the FY23 audit is posted on the county portal and said auditors again noted segregation‑of‑duties comments common with small staff levels. County Clerk building project partners including the County Clerk Building Design Team and Sunbelt Construction briefed the court on lead times: the main electrical distribution panel carries a roughly 35‑week lead time and bar joists and deck about three months; ground‑breaking is projected for mid‑ to late‑October. The court authorized ordering the electrical panel.
Magistrate Marty Chandler commended Public Works and Franklin‑Simpson Fire Rescue for their emergency response to a grain dryer fire; Chief Leslie Goodrum thanked county and city departments, Auburn Fire Department for bringing a 105‑foot aerial, and EMS for on‑scene rehab during a prolonged response. Chief Goodrum urged extreme caution in current dry conditions and asked residents to notify Dispatch at 270.782.2010 before burning, to remain with any burn and have a water source, to burn only natural vegetation and to call the Franklin Fire Department at 270.586.7174 for city burn permits.
Personnel actions included approval of a resolution raising hourly pay, effective Aug. 25, for Luke Adams and Mason Miller after they obtained level‑2 swift‑water training certification; approval of the reappointment of Bobby Groves to a three‑year term on the Franklin–Simpson Inspector Appeals Board (Sept. 1, 2024–Aug. 31, 2027); and approval of Resolution No. 2024‑09‑03EMP‑MAINT to hire Paul Kelley as Simpson County Facilities Maintenance Supervisor effective Sept. 18, 2024. Court members also approved listed budget transfers and a $9,880.59 transfer from the federal HIDTA grant fund to the general fund, and they approved the bills and claims presented.
The court entered executive session at 9:25 a.m. under KRS 61.810(1)(c) (litigation) and (f) (personnel) and reconvened at 10:00 a.m., after which it recorded the hire and other actions. The meeting adjourned at 10:00 a.m.
What’s next: a special‑called meeting is scheduled for Sept. 9 to consider Neely Road culvert bids; bids for the Robey‑Bethel Grove Road drainage project are due Sept. 27.