Fleming County Fiscal Court approves financial reports, appointments and project steps; backs broadband feasibility application

Fleming County Judge/Executive John Sims Jr. called the Fiscal Court to order at 9 a.m. on July 11 at the Fleming County Courthouse and led the Pledge of Allegiance. The court approved routine business including minutes, financial reports and transfers.

County Treasurer Kathy Dryden presented financial reports for the period ending June 30, 2023, showing a total of $4,155,125.85 across county funds, including an ARPA balance of $2,164,600.38. The court moved to adopt the Treasurer’s monthly, quarterly and annual reports and approved budget and cash transfers after recorded motions.

The court reappointed Belinda Newman and Jowanna Fritz to the Fleming County Ambulance District Board for terms from July 13, 2023, through July 13, 2025. It also advanced amendments to Ordinance 13-1150 and approved first reading of Ordinance 23-1391 on reapportioning boundaries for justices of the peace, with minutes noting no changes to any magistrates’ districts.

On personnel and benefits, the court approved paying for a single health insurance plan for participating county employees and recorded a motion to adopt the FY 2023–24 salary order effective July 1, 2023. The minutes list a motion to proceed with the salary order; the transcript records the motion but the immediate adjacent vote line for that specific motion is not explicit in the minutes.

The court approved a renewal agreement with Softworks and renewed a courthouse lease with KDFWR effective July 1, 2023. The minutes show approval of claims and carry-in claims reports and authorization to pay an invoice from Mason County Detention upon receipt for up to $30,000.

Judge/Executive Sims presented a list of road maintenance priorities; magistrates requested adding Cloverhill Road and Brown Road. The court approved county road maintenance reports for June totaling $70,822.10 and authorized installation of concrete approaches at the new Branch Brothers bridge. Discussion about paving Fox Valley Recreation Park was tabled to allow the park board to provide input on budgeting.

The Dispatch Center’s June requests for services report was approved after presentation by Benton. Benton also announced that a grant application for a new phone system had been denied and asked the court to consider a direct purchase; installation of new CAD systems is ongoing. The court adopted a revised Wrecker Services agreement that adds a release of liability for EMS agencies and fire departments as directed by County Attorney Monica Hill.

The court approved, contingent on concurrence with Brandstetter Carroll, two change order proposals submitted by Momentum for the senior center project. The Fleming County Sheriff’s June and second-quarter reports were approved; the minutes note a sheriff’s radios grant application was declined, and the sheriff is seeking applicants for a new bookkeeper.

The meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m. Votes recorded in the minutes are shown as unanimous; specific vote tallies are not reported in the transcript.

Votes at a glance (motions recorded in minutes): • Approve minutes of June 13, 2023 — motion recorded and approved (mover: Kerri Moran; seconder: Richie Kielman). • Amendments to Ordinance 13-1150 — first reading approved (mover recorded; second recorded). • Reappointment: Belinda Newman and Jowanna Fritz to Ambulance District Board (terms 7/13/2023–7/13/2025) — approved. • Adopt reapportionment commissioners’ report — approved (minutes note no changes to magistrate districts). • Ordinance 23-1391 first reading (reapportionment for justices of the peace) — approved (minutes note no district changes). • Renew Softworks agreement — approved. • Renew courthouse lease with KDFWR, effective 07/01/2023 — approved. • Approve Treasurer’s reports and total county funds — approved. • Approve budget transfers, cash transfers, claims reports — approved. • Single health insurance plan for participating county employees — approved. • FY23-24 salary order (effective 07/01/2023) — motion recorded in minutes. • Proceed with ARC broadband feasibility grant application and use ARPA funds for 30% match; Judge/Executive authorized to execute documents — approved. • Approve county road maintenance reports (June 2023) totaling $70,822.10 — approved. • Authorize concrete approaches at Branch Brothers bridge — approved. • Approve Fleming County Clerk’s June 2023 report — approved. • Approve Fleming County Sheriff’s June and second-quarter reports — approved. • Approve Dispatch Center June requests for services — approved. • Adopt revised Wrecker Services agreement (adds release of liability for EMS and fire) — approved. • Authorize payment to Mason County Detention up to $30,000 upon invoice receipt — approved. • Approve senior center change orders contingent on Brandstetter Carroll concurrence — approved contingent. • Table Fox Valley Recreation Park paving until next meeting — action tabled.

(All motions recorded in the minutes were noted as unanimous; the minutes do not provide numeric vote tallies.)