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Spencer County Fiscal Court votes to keep Edmondson Road open after public hearing
Summary
After a public hearing on Oct. 20, 2025, Spencer County Fiscal Court accepted a report from two disinterested viewers and voted by voice to keep Edmondson Road a county road, citing continued public access and recent maintenance; opponents argued the road is a recurring expense and rarely used.
Spencer County Fiscal Court voted on Monday to retain Edmondson Road as a county road after a special-called public hearing where disinterested viewers described the route as frequently impassable and members debated whether the county must continue maintenance.
Judge Executive Scott Travis opened the Oct. 20 hearing and said the proceeding followed KRS procedures for discontinuing county roads. He presented the court with the viewers' findings and moved to accept the report and his interpretation of state statutes that Edmondson Road should remain a county road.
The two disinterested viewers, Joy Thompson and Greg Murphy, told the court they had inspected the road with county staff. Thompson read an email into the record stating the roadway is "in very bad shape with large rocks and almost impossible to drive on," that it floods from an adjacent creek after heavy rain and that "no matter how much money you put into this road, it won't stay passable." Thompson also said emergency vehicles would not be able to reach the Edmonson property via the existing route and suggested creating an alternate entrance that the property owner could maintain.
Court participant Grant Barnett opposed the Judge's legal interpretation. Barnett said he had consulted other officials and argued discontinuance can be completed by survey; he also cited a survey figure ("about three times a month") to contend the road is used infrequently and described ongoing county spending there as a "money pit." The transcript records Barnett pressing that the county should not subsidize what he characterized as effectively private access.
William J. Edmondson, speaking for the Edmondson family, urged the court not to close the road, saying the family wanted to preserve access and rely on law enforcement—not road closure—to address nuisance issues.
After discussion, the court held a voice vote. The transcript records that all members present voted "aye" to keep Edmondson Road open as a county road. The meeting was adjourned at 6:48 p.m.
What this means: The court's action preserves legal county responsibility for Edmondson Road; the transcript shows both the logistical challenges of maintaining a creekside road and competing views about whether county funds should be used when usage appears limited. The record also notes a suggested alternative—creating a new, privately maintained entrance for the property—that the court did not adopt as part of this action.
The special meeting record cites KRS 178.070 and KRS 178.116 in the Judge's procedural discussion; the transcript does not record any further formal steps (such as directing staff to prepare a survey or schedule additional hearings).
