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Woodford County ratifies amended USDA buyout grant; seeks exemption to election‑year 65/35 spending rule
Summary
The fiscal court ratified an amended USDA Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) buyout grant that increases the federal share by $2,446,315.02 to $11,841,767.46 and authorized signature on the amended agreement; the county also approved requesting an exemption to the 65/35 election‑year rule for buyout closings.
The Woodford County Fiscal Court on July 14 ratified an amended USDA Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) grant agreement and authorized the Judge Executive to sign the amended documents once the countersigned copy is returned.
Director of Emergency Management Drew Chandler told the court the amendment increases the federal share by $2,446,315.02, bringing the federal share to $11,841,767.46 and that the county will begin work on additional properties as the countersigned agreement arrives. Chandler estimated the county’s local cost share at roughly $755,000, but said the county is working with the state Cabinet for Economic Development to supplement the local portion, which could reduce the net county responsibility to about 5% for participating properties.
Chandler also explained that federal delays and a brief federal shutdown prevented some closings before the fiscal year end, creating a risk of breaching the county’s election‑year 65/35 spending rule. He asked the court to authorize a request for an exemption from the Department for Local Government; the court moved and approved that request by voice vote earlier in the meeting.
Why it matters: the buyout program uses federal funding to acquire flood‑prone properties and reduce future disaster risk; the amendment expands the federal funding available to the county to complete additional buyouts. County officials said state and federal grants will cover the vast majority of program costs, reducing the county’s net exposure.
Court action: the motion to ratify the email approval and authorize signature on the amended USDA grant agreement was moved by Squire Gentry, seconded by Squire Varner and carried by voice vote. The court also approved a motion authorizing a letter requesting the DLG exemption to the election‑year 65/35 rule so year‑end closings can proceed.
Next steps: County staff will proceed with closings as grant paperwork is finalized and indicated they can share more specific cost‑share data on request.
