Residents press court over Sims Bark Mulch Facility; manager says noise-reduction project is completed

Russellville, Ky. — During public comments at the June 9 Logan County Fiscal Court meeting, residents raised complaints about smoke, noise and light from the Sims Bark Mulch Facility off U.S. 431 South.

Becky McKinney and Sam Scales addressed the court to report ongoing disturbances they attribute to the plant, citing smoke emissions, nighttime lighting and persistent noise. Their concerns focused on livability impacts for nearby homes rather than on any specific regulatory citation.

Plant manager Jamie Webster responded to the court’s public comment period and said the company completed a noise-reduction project on May 30, 2026, which the manager said has made the facility “seemingly less noisy for neighbors” in the last week to 10 days. The manager did not provide additional technical measurements or documentation during the meeting.

Context and next steps: the court recorded the complaint and the manager’s on-the-record statement; no enforcement action, permit change or follow-up inspection was announced during the session. County officials did not report any new mitigation orders or agency findings at the meeting. Residents and the plant manager each had an opportunity to speak on the record; further regulatory or administrative follow-up would come through the county’s typical complaint and permitting channels.

Also during the meeting: Grant Writer Denise Shoulders announced the Logan County Sheriff’s Department had been awarded $1,200 for one firearm. Solid Waste Coordinator Nathan Cockrill announced a county waste tire collection event on July 10, 2026, from 8:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M., with a 15-tire maximum (up to two semi tires) and a prohibition on tractor tires.

The Fiscal Court took no formal action related to the mulch facility at the June 9 meeting.