Fleming County Fiscal Court approves water district grant applications, budget amendments and reappointments; road supervisor to retire

Fleming County Fiscal Court met Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Fleming County Courthouse and approved a series of measures including authorization for grant applications for a major water-line replacement, two budget amendments and multiple reappointments and contracts.

A public hearing on proposed FY2026–2027 CRA/LGEA fund use drew no public comment. The court then approved the meeting agenda and prior minutes by unanimous votes. County Judge/Executive John Sims Jr. opened the meeting and Tammy L. Gray, the fiscal court clerk, recorded the roll call.

The court signed a proclamation recognizing April 2026 as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. Mandy Ruark, crisis intervention specialist with ION Center, accepted the proclamation and described the center’s local support programs.

The court reappointed Randall Wood to the Flemingsburg–Fleming County Recreation Park Board (term 5/2/2026–5/2/2030) and reappointed Dan Hicks to another term on the Western Fleming County Water District Board (5/1/2026–5/1/2030). It also appointed Ben Moran and Tyler McRoberts to three-year terms on the Board of Assessment Appeals (5/13/2026–5/13/2029).

Discussion focused on the Western Fleming County Water District’s Phase II project to replace an aging 1960s clay main distribution line from Ewing toward Farview and some outlying areas. The county record shows an estimated project cost of about $2.6 million; the county noted the CDBG grant would cover roughly half of that estimate. The court approved Resolution 26-1447 authorizing submission of applications for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding and related GRANT funds on behalf of the water district. The record states the Western Fleming County Water District (WFWD) would be the subrecipient and would bear responsibility for any cost overruns.

The court also approved two renewal contracts with Tri-State Elevators for the courthouse and judicial center and renewed the contract with Countryside Industries for dead animal removal services.

Officials discussed a FEMA BRIC grant application for a backup generator at the Fleming County Emergency Operations Center; the application would require up to a 25% local match if the project were awarded. That item was tabled and no action was taken; staff noted applications were due April 20, 2026.

The court approved the second reading and passage of Ordinance 26-1442 and Ordinance 26-1446 adopting the presented budget amendments. County Treasurer Miranda Utterback presented the March 31, 2026 financial report, which the court accepted. Reported balances included a General Fund balance of $974,425.50 and total all funds of $2,186,085.30.

Following a public bid opening for road materials and services, the court accepted the lowest and best qualified bids for aggregates, fuel, bituminous materials, chip-and-seal, cold mix asphalt, corrugate pipe, paving, road salt and transports, contingent on location and availability. The court granted the County Judge/Executive authority to negotiate pricing and to sign documents with named vendors effective April 15, 2026.

The court approved routine reports from the county clerk and sheriff, accepted the March road department maintenance report and approved surplus and disposal of two Road Department computer items. The court approved up to $13,000 for election worker expenses and polling location rent and accepted the jailer’s report.

County Road Supervisor Anthony Vise announced he will retire at the end of July 2026.

The court reviewed nuisance abatement complaints and voted 4–1 to issue letters of non-compliance on the complaints on record (votes: Hunt, Kielman, Price, Fawns yes; Money no). The court entered executive session citing KRS 61.810(1)(f) to discuss personnel and returned to open session before adjourning at 10:08 a.m.

Votes at a glance: Resolution 26-1447 (authorize CDBG/GRANT applications for WFWD) — approved (motion Ray H. Money; second Richie Kielman); Ordinance 26-1442 (budget amendment) — approved; Ordinance 26-1446 (budget amendment) — approved; reappointments and appointments to boards — approved; acceptance of vendor bids and delegations of contracting authority — approved; nuisance abatement letters — approved 4–1. Many other consent items and routine reports were approved unanimously as recorded in the meeting minutes.

What's next: FEMA BRIC application consideration was tabled; if the BRIC grant application proceeds the county will need to account for up to a 25% match. The court will implement reappointments and appointments on the dates shown and proceed with the WFWD grant applications as authorized.