Fiscal court moves forward on county budget

    The Pendleton County Fiscal Court held the first reading of the 2021-22 county budget in summarized form.
    The total budgeted revenues tall $12,754,936 with the bump coming from an expected $1,400,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act.
    They are broken down as follows:
    General Fund $5,505,278
    Road Fund $2,187,182
    Jail Fund $614,928
    LGEA $1.878,137
    CDBG $50
    911 $614,005
    HRA Contributions $113,866
    American Rescue Plan Act $1,400,000
    Mental Health $391,310
    Educational $50,180.
    Total budgeted revenues are $12,754,936 to create the required balanced county budget.
    They are broken down as follows:
    General Fund $5,505,278
    Road Fund $2,187,182
    Jail Fund $614,928
    LGEA $1,878,137
    CDBG $50
    HRA Contributions $113,866
    American Rescue Plan Act $1,400,000
    Mental Health $391,310
    Educational $50,180.
    Judge Executive David Fields told the court that the budget has been sent off to DOG in Frankfort for calculation approval.
    The court went through several approvals that are required on an  annual basis including:
    The annual standing orders that allows the payment of utilities, payroll and other items without the court’s approval.
    The office personnel for the judge executive office.
    The appointment of all county employees.
    An affiliation with the Pendleton County Search and Rescue team.
    An affliation with the Community Emergency Response Team.
    In other court action, Carolyn Reid was appointed for a four year term to the PC Cemetery Board.
    District 3 Magistrate Darrin Gregg made the motion to donate the entire $600 amount to the PCHS Virtual Reality Project. Ethan Wright had presented during caucus about the need for a camera to match the virtual reality helmets they have for usage. The court eagerly supported the motion and idea of using it to provide virtual field trips of local businesses.
    The court both accepted the county audit for year ending June 2020 and the sheriff’s office budget audit for 2019.
    District 4 Magistrate Rick Mineer asked about status of the other Milford Rd bridge.
    Fields answered, “No approval from Fish and Wildlife on the other bridge. They give you the runaround when you call.”
    Mineer asked, too, about the status of raising the water level of Kincaid Lake.
    Fields answered, “We still have to see how the landowners are going to go on this.”
    County Attorney Stacey Sanning reminded the court that “the county cannnot file eminent domain for the state but can assist the state.”
    Gregg informed the court that Tommy Leach is going to find the center of the Eagle View Rd in mid-May.
    Discussion centered on drop-offs on several roads throughout the county and in all four districts. Magistrates told Fields that in some parts they drop off six to eight inches on the side of the roads.
    Fields is gathering information on three shouldering machines that are being sold in Southern Kentucky.
    District 1 Magistrate asked Fields if his office had received any guidance on what the American Rescue Plan Act funds could be used.
    Fields indicated they have something they will share with the court and said, “Looking at water, sewer, and broadband. We cannot use it on roads or bridges unless we can show they were the cause of covid.”
    Mineer agreed saying, “Let’s focus on getting water throughout the rest of the county.”
    Mineer inquired about mowing county roads and when the first mowing will be.
    Fields indicated that bids will be opened next week.