Lawrence court awards bids, approves grant resolutions
Tish Chaffin of the Truman Chaffin Law Firm asked the Lawrence County Fiscal Court to approve a memorandum of agreement on an opioid lawsuit, explaining that the state would get 50 percent of what was recovered and local governments that were part of the MOA would share the other 50 percent. BSN photo/Lilly Adkins
By Lilly Adkins
BSN Associate Editor
Big Sandy Resources owner Jeff Kinzer was at the June 15 Lawrence County Fiscal Court meeting and asked the court to be fair with his company. Both Big Sandy Resources and Big Sandy Stone submitted the same price and were awarded the gravel bid. BSN photo/Lilly Adkins
LOUISA — The Lawrence County Fiscal Court awarded bids and approved a number of resolutions for grants to make improvements throughout the county at its regular meeting Tuesday, June 15.
The Fiscal Court adopted resolutions authorizing the filing of a Kentucky Local Government Economic Development Fund LGEDF House Bill (HB) 192 project proposal/grant application for $20,000 for Stella Moore Park, $10,000 for Chapman Park, $40,000 for the Lawrence County Soccer Park, $90,000 for Lawrence County Park recreation, $20,000 for Fallsburg Park recreation, $20,000 for Blaine Park and Community Center improvements and $20,000 for the fairgrounds.
The fiscal court also adopted a resolution to apply to the Department for Local Government for assistance under the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 for funding toward a soccer field for 50 percent of the proposed project, with costs estimated at $100,000.
The Lawrence County Fiscal Court is also proposing to develop, with the partnership of Yatesville Lake LLC, a lodge that will contribute an economic and recreational resource for Lawrence County and the public. They intend to seek $5 million from the Office of Surface Mining for assistance under Abandoned Mine Land Title IV of the surface mining law.
Court members also awarded several bids.
Lawrence County Sand and Stone and Big Sandy Resource both had the same price for gravel, and the court voted to approve both bids.
Big Sandy Resource owner Jeff Kinzer was at the meeting and asked the court to be fair and give them both 50 percent of the business, especially since they both had the same price.
“We can do that,” Judge-Executive Phillip Carter said.
Kentucky Underground of Grayson was the only bidder for pipe, so the court voted unanimously accepted its bid.
Buffalo Valley and Hanson were both approved for blacktop by a motion of Rick Blackburn, a second by Magistrate Dave Pinson and all in favor.
“If they don’t have what we need, we can go to the other one,” Carter said.
The fiscal court also approved to do some zoning ordinance index corrections, which included a page out of place, some typos but no change to the ordinance, with a motion from Pinson, a second by Magistrate John Scaggs and all in favor.
Tish Chaffin with the Truman Chaffin Law Firm spoke to the fiscal court and asked members to approve a memorandum of agreement on an opioid lawsuit.
Chaffin said that they were currently in negotiations and that it could potentially include Johnson and Johnson, with 50 percent going to the state and the other 50 percent being dispersed to the participating counties in Kentucky that were part of the MOA.
“If Lawrence County signs the MOA, they could get their first payment as soon as September 1,” Chaffin said. “There are restrictions on how that money can be spent.”
Chaffin also said that there would be no out-of-pocket expenses for Lawrence County to participate and that neighboring counties would also be offered the option to sign on to the MOA.
Carter asked Assistant County Attorney Brad Deerfield whether he would recommend that they sign the MOA, and he said yes.
Blackburn made a motion to sign the MOA, seconded by Magistrate Mike Halcomb, with all in favor.
The Lawrence County Fiscal Court also unanimously agreed to review the administrative code and set salaries and to also approve a 1.4 percent cost-of-living allowance for elected officials set by the state.
The fiscal court approved a termination of the county’s beach agreement and agreed to take back over The Cove because the people running it could no longer do it.
In other business, the fiscal court approved a 4th of July donation, the minutes of the May 18 meeting, approved the second reading of the fiscal year 2021/22 budget, the second reading of budget amendment #5, emergency amendment #6, the treasurer’s request and the bills.