Fiscal Court approves bid for new fire truck

Sep. 29—Blake Vickers

The Madison County Fiscal Court read multiple proclamations for October and passed motions involving the purchase of a new fire truck during a fiscal court meeting on Tuesday.

Emergency Management Agency (EMA) director Dustin Heiser read a bid resolution for the purchase of a new tanker truck for the county and volunteer fire departments.

The fiscal court approved a bid of $534,722 to Atlantic Fire Emergency Solutions. CSEPP will contribute a minimum of $300,000 for the purchase of the truck through a federal grant program.

The remaining portion of the price will be paid by the county upon the delivery of the truck, which is estimated to be in 24 months. It will hold a capacity of 4,500 gallons of water.

According to Madison County Fire Chief Tim Gray, the truck will be able to go anywhere in the county. It has a tandem axle, with six breaking tires and three axles — a feature Gray noted will be very important for safety.

Jennifer Lainhart, executive director of Hope's Wings, also came before the fiscal court as it recognized October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. It is a joint recognition that comes alongside proclamations from the Berea City Council and the Richmond City Commission.

Lainhart spoke about the statistics of domestic violence in the state and also briefed the court on some upcoming events happening in the community.

"I want to recognize that in Kentucky, domestic violence is still very much an issue. Last year, we had 52 Kentuckians lose their lives to domestic violence. As of today, there are 68 — the youngest being 10-years-old and the oldest being 78," Lainhart said. "Domestic violence affects a huge amount of people across all age groups — across all socio-economic backgrounds. It is frightening and it is the best kept secret. We don't hear a lot about domestic violence, and unfortunately, we have to have a month that is raising awareness."

On Oct. 3, a lunch at Berea City Hall will take place and will bring together Berea Mayor Bruce Fraley, Richmond Mayor Robert Blythe, and Madison County Judge Executive Reagan Taylor to read the proclamation. Hope's Wings will provide a free lunch at the event from Nightjar.

These Hands Don't Hurt is a rally celebrating those who deal with relationship issues in a healthy way. It will be held at the county courthouse on Oct. 11 and will have multiple resources and booths set up showcasing helpful organizations in the county.

October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Representatives from Baptist Health Richmond also came before the court as Paint the Town Pink month was proclaimed. It is another joint proclamation, this time with the fiscal court and the Richmond City Commission.

"Madison County and the city of Richmond enthusiastically join the national initiative to fight breast cancer on the local front," Taylor said as he read the proclamation. "Whereas the promise of Baptist Health is to save lives and increase awareness of Breast Cancer by empowering people, ensuring quality care for all, and energizing science to find the cure... We urge all women to practice monthly self-exams and women over the age of 40 to have a yearly mammogram... whereas Madison County and the city of Richmond honors and recognizes women who have triumphed over their devastating disease. Their courage and spirit are inspirations to us."

Paint the Town Pink began in 2009 for the purpose of breast cancer awareness, education, and prevention. Since then, it has raised over $120,000 to support cancer care in the community.

"Here we are 14 years later and we're still celebrating and honoring Paint the Town Pink and it wouldn't be possible without the community's support," said Sarah Stringfield, director of community health and engagement at Baptist Health Richmond.

On Friday, Sept. 30 at noon, Baptist Health Richmond will be kicking off the Paint the Town Pink campaign in earnest with a celebration at the hospital.

Paint the Town Pink t-shirts go on sale on Friday, Sept. 30 at The Boutique at Merle Norman and Soft Shoe. They are printed by Surge Graphic Design. Short sleeve shirts sale for $18 and long sleeve shirts go for $22. All proceeds from the shirt sales go to support cancer awareness, education, and prevention in Madison County.

Regarding the action agenda, the fiscal court appointed Mark Ellis to the Valley View Ferry Board.

In Resolution 2022-118-KACo Insurance Grant Program Application, the fiscal court applied for a grant with KACo.

The grant will allow members of the KACo workers compensation fund, or all lines funds, to apply for grants to reduce losses in connections to those two funds.

The grants can be used to pay for equipment, training, consulting services, and property improvements made to cut down on the risk for injury. The funds are limited to a maximum reimbursement of $10,000. It is a competitive grant program. Provided the county is awarded a grant, the county will be required to contribute an additional 20% of funding to the grant.

According to Deputy Judge Executive Jill Williams, the county is applying to the grant to address some of the falling circumstances — slip, trip, or fall hazards, lifting injuries, auto accidents, jail operations, and cyber breaches.

Several new employees were approved by the fiscal court on Tuesday.

The finance department hired Hallie Cox as a finance on a salary of $18 an hour.

The IT department hired Clay White as a GIS for a proposed salary of $75,000 a year.

The animal shelter hired Monica "Joy" Taylor as an animal control officer on a salary of $15 an hour.

The road department Hired William Gallagher as a general laborer on a salary of $14 an hour.

Regarding the road department, road supervisor Scott Shepherd said the department is still down by six employees.

"We are not paying competitive prices for CDL drivers and we are requiring our men to also do physical labor, do overnight snow removal — do all these extras. It's hurting our recruiting. I don't know if we can find a happy medium. We're expecting more out of our people and paying them less," Shepherd said.

Magistrate Ben Robinson suggested that human resources look into the issue and noted the higher pay and benefits of CDL drivers in Lexington.

Magistrate John Tudor suggested the county could possibly hire part-time CDL drivers.

County Clerk Kenny Barger gave an update to voting options for the upcoming elections.

Requests for absentee ballots were opened up on Sept. 24, with the window closing on Oct. 25. Voter registration is also up now, with the last day to register to vote being Oct. 10 at 4 p.m.

To request an absentee ballot or register to vote, visit https://vrsws.sos.ky.gov/ovrweb/govoteky.

Walk in absentee voting will take place from Oct. 26 to Oct. 28 and Oct. 31 to Nov. 2 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Madison County Courthouse.

Early voting begins, Nov. 3 through Nov. 5 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Election day voting will take place from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Nov. 8.

As it is the final fiscal court meting of the month, the treasurer's report was given by county treasurer Glenna Smith.

The county's fund balance as of Aug. 31 is $33,190,975.54.

General fund revenues are at 17.6%, with expenditures at 11.2%.

Road fund revenues are at 47% and expenditures are at 10%.

Jail fund revenues are at 27.7% and expenditures are at 15.9%.

LGEA fund revenues are at 17.1% and expenditures are at 1.9%.

CSEPP fund revenues are at 2.7% and expenditures are at 2.3%.

Health fund revenues are at 14.8% and expenditures are at 18.8%.

911 fund revenues are at 17.1% and expenditures are at 12.3%.

Clerk fund revenues are at 4.7% and expenditures are at 0%.

91st District Representative Bill Wesley also stopped by the meeting.

Following redistricting, Wesley's district now covers a greater portion of Madison County. He visited with the fiscal court to give his business card to the magistrates and invite the court out to breakfast to talk about ideas.

Wesley also had a surprise for Judge Executive Reagan Taylor's wedding anniversary. Taylor's wife and mother were in attendance at the meeting to celebrate the occasion.

"I'd like to honor our judge and his wife today and this fine mother here, she's always bragging on her son, so we came up with a game plan here to honor them for their 21st anniversary," Wesley said. "This honorable body holds in high esteem the extraordinary abilities of this devoted couple to cultivate and nurture a loving family and church friendships. Representative Bill Wesley recognizes these unique virtues in Reagan and Kelly Taylor and joins with their family and friends in wishing them many future years of happiness and fulfillment."