Harry T. Clark

The Fiscal Court conducted numerous business items, including the approval of minutes from previous General and Special Sessions. Key actions involved authorizing the County Judge Executive to declare an emergency request for ambulance chassis and remount costs. The Court adopted several Ordinances, including one amending the Rowan County Administrative Code, another adopting the Reapportionment Commission's report and reestablishing Magistrate District boundaries, and one amending the Fiscal Court budget by $562,996.81. First readings were held for Ordinances setting the compensating 2024 Motor Vehicle and Watercraft Tax Rates and the 2023 Real and Personal Property Tax Rates. The Court accepted tax rates from the Rowan County Health Department for both 2024 and 2023 cycles. Authorizations were made for procuring bids for Old Hilda Road Bridge Repairs and entering an agreement with the Commonwealth of Kentucky Department of Rural and Municipal Aid for bridge repairs on Old Hilda Road and Messer Road. A contract was authorized with Cultural Resource Analysts Inc. for an archeological survey of the Senior Citizen Center Property. Change orders for the Ambulance Service were accepted. Appointments were made for new members to the Morehead-Rowan County EDC. The Sheriff's 2022 Property Tax Settlement was approved, and an agreement was authorized with Pathways for the Crisis Response Program. The Monthly Financial Statement and budget transfers were accepted. Claims from various funds were approved. The Court entered and returned from a closed session to discuss proposed litigation and personnel matters. Finally, authorization was granted to hire Paul Swartz as a FT Laborer for the Rowan County Road Department.

The Fiscal Court meeting involved several key actions. The court adopted an ordinance concerning the annual budget and amendment thereof due to unbudgeted receipts totaling $405,824.07 from the General and Ambulance funds. The court also held the first reading of ordinances regulating biodigestion sites and limiting traffic speed on Hallwood Drive to 30 mph. Additional financial actions included authorizing supplementary funding of $500.00 for the Cave Run Symphony Orchestra and approving budget transfers and the quarterly financial statement. Personnel actions included the employment of three part-time paramedics/EMTs and the transfer of one employee within county offices. The court also approved a Continuation Certificate for the County Treasurer, authorized payments for equipment and services for the Road Department, and approved claims to be paid from multiple county funds. An increased rider for property tax collection was also approved.

The Fiscal Court session addressed several key administrative and operational matters. The Court acknowledged the Rowan County Board of Education's 2025 property tax rates and 2026 motor vehicle tax rates, noting a decrease in the Real Property rate. Approval was granted for the Rowan County Detention Center Policies and Procedure. Authorization was given to contract with Hinkle Contracting for blacktopping Community Way. The Court also authorized the purchase of a road department truck if the quote meets state pricing contract requirements, and authorized advertising for bids for EMS equipment, not to exceed $350,000, covering stretchers, cots, and Lucas devices. Furthermore, a resolution was adopted imposing a temporary moratorium on the construction of large-scale solar energy systems in Rowan County. A Memorandum of Understanding was entered into with American Legion Post 126 regarding the utilization of a county field. Finally, appointments were made to the Rowan County Health Board of Directors, a quote for landscaping the Courthouse and Judicial Center was approved, a maintenance agreement for the landscaping was established, the 2024 Rowan County Comprehensive Plan was accepted, first reading was held for an ordinance relating to annual budget amendments based on unbudgeted receipts, budget transfers were approved, the monthly financial statement was accepted, and claims from various funds were approved. The session concluded after a closed session to discuss proposed litigation.

The meeting included a presentation by the RCMS speech team, followed by a presentation on the crosscurricular project-based learning unit. The STLP group presented a Google site featuring local community service opportunities for students. The board discussed and approved regular business items and the consent agenda. A motion was passed to approve a trip and funding it at a cap of $3,000 for the speech team.

The meeting included a Cougar Learning Parade, showcasing students from kindergarten to fifth grade. The board approved regular business items and the consent agenda, which included calendar committee members, out-of-state travel for the volleyball and baseball teams, surplus items, and a salary table change. A presentation was given by ninth-grade English and social studies teachers about their cross-curricular project-based learning unit. The board also discussed and approved planning for the fifth-grade Washington D.C. trip for the 2026-2027 school year. The treasurer's report was presented, and an update was given on enrollment and attendance, highlighting a significant decrease in chronic absenteeism compared to the previous year. Additionally, an instructional update was provided, focusing on local accountability and the development of a prototype in the spring.