Franklin County Fiscal Court unanimously approves budgets, contracts, CDs and opioid settlement participation
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Summary
At a March 25 special session, the Franklin County Fiscal Court voted unanimously on a slate of administrative and fiscal measures — including receipt of the county clerk’s excess fees, proposed jail budget, award of an appraisal review contract for an NRCS buyout program, two certificates of deposit, and approval to participate in a remnant opioid-defendant settlement — and recessed into closed session on pending litigation under KRS 61.810(1)(c).
The Franklin County Fiscal Court met in a special session and voting meeting on March 25, 2026, and approved a series of administrative, budgetary and contractual actions in unanimous votes.
Judge Michael Mueller called the work session to order at 5:04 p.m.; the voting meeting was called to order at 7:20 p.m. The court recorded the presence of Squires Sherry Sebastian, J.W. Blackburn, Kelly Dycus, Mike Harrod, Richard Tanner and Eric Whisman, and County Attorney Max Comley.
The court approved the minutes of the special meeting of March 4, 2026. It then voted to receive the County Clerk’s 2025 excess fees and to receive the proposed Franklin County jail budget for fiscal year 2026–2027. The court also voted to receive the Capital Community Economic/Industrial Authority Inc. (Develop Frankfort) annual budget for fiscal year 2026–2027.
The court awarded a contract for appraisal technical review services for Franklin County’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Home Buyout Program to Greg Helton as the best bidder. The award is contingent on submission of proof of SAM.gov compliance within 15 days, though the County Judge may extend the deadline if requested.
By Resolution #12-2026, the court authorized application for a Second Chance Act grant through the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, naming the Wanda Joyce Robinson Foundation, Thorn Hill Education Center, and The National Center for Families Learning as subrecipients.
By Resolution #13-2026, the court authorized participation in the National Opioid Litigation’s settlement with six remnant defendants and approved the related Remnant Defendants Settlement Plan.
The court approved a personnel action promoting Adam Haymond from Maintenance Technician to Assistant Director of Maintenance and approved Resolution #14-2026 to allocate FEMA proceeds to payroll for the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.
On its investment recommendation, the court authorized the Treasurer to open two certificates of deposit — one for $1,250,000 and a second for $2,100,000 — at the best available rates to improve investment earnings. The Treasurer’s Report was received, and the court approved budget and cash transfers for fiscal year 2025–2026. No motion was offered to deny a claim and bills were ordered paid.
Squire Sherry Sebastian moved and Squire Mike Harrod moved to enter closed session under KRS 61.810(1)(c) to discuss proposed or pending litigation; the court recessed into closed session and later returned to open session. The meeting adjourned at 7:26 p.m.
Votes at a glance - Approve minutes (March 4, 2026): Mover S. Sebastian; second M. Harrod — Passed (S. Sebastian, J.W. Blackburn, K. Dycus, M. Harrod, R. Tanner, E. Whisman, Judge M. Mueller — yes). - Receive County Clerk’s 2025 Excess Fees: Mover S. Sebastian; second K. Dycus — Passed (unanimous). - Receive proposed 2026–2027 Jail Budget: Mover S. Sebastian; second M. Harrod — Passed (unanimous). - Receive Develop Frankfort FY2026–2027 Budget: Mover J.W. Blackburn; second K. Dycus — Passed (unanimous). - Award bid to Greg Helton for NRCS EWP appraisal review (contingent on SAM.gov compliance within 15 days): Mover K. Dycus; second M. Harrod — Passed (unanimous). - Approve Resolution #12-2026 (Second Chance Act grant application; named subrecipients): Mover K. Dycus; second M. Harrod — Passed (unanimous). - Approve Resolution #13-2026 (participation in remnant opioid settlement): Mover K. Dycus; second R. Tanner — Passed (unanimous). - Promote Adam Haymond to Assistant Director of Maintenance: Mover M. Harrod; second S. Sebastian — Passed (unanimous). - Approve Resolution #14-2026 (allocate FEMA proceeds to Sheriff’s payroll): Mover M. Harrod; second S. Sebastian — Passed (unanimous). - Authorize CD $1,250,000: Mover J.W. Blackburn; second M. Harrod — Passed (unanimous). - Authorize CD $2,100,000: Mover J.W. Blackburn; second M. Harrod — Passed (unanimous). - Receive Treasurer’s Report; approve budget transfers and cash transfers FY2025–2026: Mover S. Sebastian; seconds varied — All passed (unanimous). - Enter closed session per KRS 61.810(1)(c) for discussions of proposed or pending litigation: Mover S. Sebastian; second M. Harrod — Passed (unanimous).
What this means The March 25 session advanced routine county fiscal business: budget receipts, investment actions, grant application approval, and personnel promotion. The court also moved forward on participation in a remnant-defendant opioid settlement and approved a contract tied to an NRCS home buyout program, both of which may lead to later implementation steps or reporting. The court recessed into closed session to discuss pending litigation under state statute KRS 61.810(1)(c).
Next steps and context - The award to Greg Helton requires SAM.gov compliance documentation within 15 days or a judge-authorized extension. - Participation in the remnant opioid-defendant settlement will follow the approved settlement plan; implementation details and distribution timelines were not specified in the minutes. Funding sources and program specifics for the Second Chance Act application were not detailed in the record. The court will publish formal minutes signed by County Judge/Executive Michael Mueller and Fiscal Court Clerk Kim Cox.
Sources and provenance This article summarizes actions and votes recorded in the Franklin County Fiscal Court special meeting minutes and voting session on March 25, 2026.