Russell County Fiscal Court adopts grants, appointments and road agreements; approves equipment purchases for transfer station

The Russell County Fiscal Court on June 9 approved multiple grant acceptances, appointments and intergovernmental agreements and authorized equipment purchases for the county’s transfer station.

Judge Randy Marcum reported the county received a COPS grant that will fund three officers to provide around-the-clock coverage at the hospital; the court adopted Resolution 25-04 to accept the grant. The court also accepted a $7,000 ARC grant from the Center for Rural Development to launch a six-month civic organization program for youth and authorized the judge to implement the program. Magistrates voted unanimously on both motions (motions by Magistrate Mickey Garner; second by Magistrate Terry Waddell for the COPS grant; ARC motion seconded by Magistrate Steve Richardson).

Judge Marcum said Grants Administrator Susan Melton located an HB 605 matching-grant opportunity that, if awarded, could cover required local matches for other grants. Because of that prospect the court voted to withhold a previously agreed $10,000 payment to the Eli Fire Department while the county pursues the HB 605 match (motion by Magistrate Garner; second by Magistrate Richardson). The action was approved unanimously.

On appointments, Marcum nominated reappointments and new members for the tourism board (Whitney Marcum reappointed, Caleb Weaver appointed, and Randy Baird reappointed) and recommended Ross Haynes to the ethics board; the court approved the nominations unanimously.

The court approved the county’s annual inter-local road agreement with the City of Russell Springs — a routine cooperation agreement for maintaining and paving roads within the city and Magisterial Districts 4 and 5 (motion by Magistrate Larry Skaggs; second by Magistrate Steve Richardson).

Regarding county operations, Marcum said the county had taken over operation of the transfer station and updated the county complement to include transfer-station staff. He announced the county was awarded a state crumb rubber grant (amount not specified in the packet) and that an EPA grant application for transfer-station work passed phase 1. The court approved buying a backhoe located at KY Surplus (motion by Magistrate Terry Waddell; second by Magistrate Mickey Garner) and authorized purchase of a used pulling truck not to exceed $12,000 (motion by Magistrate Mickey Garner; second by Magistrate Steve Richardson). Both motions passed unanimously.

Other business included approval of Budget Amendment 25-05 for unbudgeted receipts, payment to Pulaski County for the semiannual regional dog shelter fee ($13,375), and initiation of the process to discontinue 0.036 mile of Dylan Drive at the request of a property owner who said he already maintains that final segment. The court also held an executive session under KRS 61.810 for possible litigation and reported no action was taken after the session.

Julie Garrett from the Small Business Administration briefed the court on disaster assistance available to residents affected by a recent tornado. Sheriff Polston warned that HB 63, effective June 27, 2025, allowing side-by-side vehicles on roadways will likely prompt questions about inspections and licensing; County Attorney Kevin Shearer said he will begin drafting a county ordinance for the July meeting.

All motions recorded at the meeting were approved by unanimous votes of those present. The meeting adjourned at 10:52 a.m.