Pike County fiscal court adopts $113.1 million budget, approves easements and grant match

Pike County Fiscal Court on June 23 adopted its fiscal year 2026–2027 budget, authorized two easement agreements with Kentucky Power tied to transmission-line relocation and access, and approved a grant-match resolution for the Wolf Pit Industrial Park, among other routine procurement and personnel actions.

Judge Jones presided over the meeting and led the court through a series of motions that passed on roll call. County staff presented the second reading of the proposed budget and reported projected revenues and expenditures of $113,143,526. “The projected revenue and expenditures are $113,143,526,” said Roy, the county attorney, during the second reading. The court voted to adopt the budget so the county will have a budget in place for July.

The court also authorized an easement and right-of-way agreement with Kentucky Power for relocation of the Henry Clay Dorton transmission line. County leaders discussed prior property costs and the compensation offered by the utility; the judge said the utility is offering about $195,000 to move the line, noting the county previously paid roughly $275,000 for the related property. “They’re giving us $195,000 for moving the power line — that’s a pretty good deal,” Judge Jones said. The court authorized execution of the agreement and later approved a separate easement to allow future ingress and egress across county property for maintenance of the transmission lines.

The court adopted a resolution authorizing filing of a House Bill 500 grant application and approving up to $73,450 in LGEDF single-county funds as the local match for the Kentucky Product Development Initiative Program grant award for Wolf Pit Industrial Park. The resolution also authorizes the judge to execute any documents deemed necessary by the Department for Local Government and to act as the authorized correspondent.

On procurement, a county staff member reported that the judge’s office needs a replacement copier to support flood-mitigation home-buyout work. The vendor quote from C and R Office Supply for a Canon copier was $15,436.86; the court voted to authorize the purchase. “We can buy this copier for $15,436.86,” said Greg, a county staff member who presented the quote.

Treasurer’s business approved by the court included the sheriff and clerk’s 2550 report for May 2026, the county salary schedule for fiscal year 2026–27 (effective June 21) that includes a 2.7% cost-of-living increase, authorization for lodging and registration checks for employees who need to attend the Governor’s Local Issues Conference (Aug. 19–21 at the Galt House in Louisville), and standing monthly checks of $2,000 each for pool managers Haley McCoy (John R. Phillips Park) and Tim Bilder (Freedom Park) for three months. The treasurer also presented the monthly financial statement ending May 31, 2026, and the court authorized payment of the expenditure approval list dated June 23.

The court acknowledged a set of personnel actions, including the reclassification of Columbus Harmon to heavy equipment operator, the hiring of John Little as a welder on special crew, granting William Church up to 180 days of unpaid leave, and extending Jimmy Kaiser’s employment as floodplain coordinator through Dec. 31, 2026. All personnel motions were approved on roll call.

County supervisors discussed operational details including temporary road closures related to drilling rigs and the use of solar-lit advisory signs at holler mouths and paving project sites; emergency-management funds were mentioned as a possible source for the signs. Staff also reported preliminary discussions about purchasing a parcel at Watson Hill that could remove the need to build a second bridge; they said the county would need a lease from Pocahontas Lane Company to use railroad bed right-of-way and would seek a state inspection report for the bridge before any purchase.

The court concluded the meeting with a benediction and adjourned.

Votes at a glance - Approval of June 2, 2026 minutes — yes: Commissioner Scott; Commissioner Atkins; Commissioner Lewis; Judge Jones (unanimous) - Acknowledgment of Pike County Conservation District budget and plan of work (FY27) — yes: Commissioner Scott; Commissioner Atkins; Commissioner Lewis; Judge Jones (unanimous) - Authorization to execute easement/right-of-way agreement (Henry Clay Dorton transmission line relocation) — yes: Commissioner Scott; Commissioner Atkins; Commissioner Lewis; Judge Jones (unanimous) - Authorization to execute easement/right-of-way access agreement (ingress/egress for transmission lines) — yes: Commissioner Scott; Commissioner Atkins; Commissioner Lewis; Judge Jones (unanimous) - Adoption of resolution authorizing HB 500 grant application and local match (Wolf Pit Industrial Park, up to $73,450) — yes: Commissioner Scott; Commissioner Atkins; Commissioner Lewis; Judge Jones (unanimous) - Adoption of FY2026–27 fiscal court budget — yes: Commissioner Scott; Commissioner Atkins; Commissioner Lewis; Judge Jones (unanimous) - Authorization to purchase Canon copier (C and R Office Supply, $15,436.86) — yes: Commissioner Scott; Commissioner Atkins; Commissioner Lewis; Judge Jones (unanimous) - Approval of treasurer’s business, salary schedule and related payments — yes: Commissioner Scott; Commissioner Atkins; Commissioner Lewis; Judge Jones (unanimous) - Acknowledgment of personnel actions (hires, promotions, leave, extension) — yes: Commissioner Scott; Commissioner Atkins; Commissioner Lewis; Judge Jones (unanimous)

What happens next The adopted FY2027 budget takes effect in July; the grant application authorized for Wolf Pit Industrial Park will be filed with the Department for Local Government with the county judge designated as correspondent. County staff will proceed with the authorized easement paperwork with Kentucky Power and with procurement and personnel implementation as approved by the court.