Committee recommends first reading for Castle & Key IRB; county attorney urges clean first reading despite tourism-related improvements in exhibits

Representatives for Castle & Key asked the budget and finance committee to schedule a first reading of an Industrial Revenue Bond (IRB) ordinance related to the distillery’s property. Committee members questioned whether the ordinance’s manufacturing language covered renovations listed in exhibit A — which include tourism-related improvements such as converting a cistern into a tasting room and adding overnight accommodations.

Miss Price, speaking for Castle & Key, said the bond is intended to cover the entire distillery property "to cover the existing facility plus the expansion," clarifying that the expansion and existing facility would be part of the bond.

The County Attorney advised the committee that if it wants to proceed, it may hold a clean first reading (unconditioned), noting the committee and record could reflect an understanding that a successful second reading is not guaranteed if issues remain unresolved: "But if there is to be a vote for a first reading tonight, it should just be a clean first reading, not conditioned on anything," he said.

Following discussion, the budget and finance committee moved and seconded a motion to recommend a first reading to the full fiscal court. The committee recorded one "nay" during that recommendation vote; the record shows the committee recommendation will be forwarded for full-court consideration. Committee members and Castle & Key representatives said they planned to follow up and provide documentation ahead of the second-reading discussion.

The matter will return to the full fiscal court for first- and potentially second-reading consideration prior to final approval.