Fiscal court approves scoreboards, prequalifies convention‑center contractor and signs multiple change orders and resolutions

The McCracken County Fiscal Court approved several procurements, contract actions and budgetary distributions during its July 28 meeting, including purchase of scoreboards for the Paducah Sportsplex, prequalification of a design‑build contractor for the convention center project, contract time extensions related to sports‑park work and a modification to acceptance testing for the county’s 800 megahertz radio project.

Scoreboards and sports park: the court ordered that Varsity Scoreboards be awarded the quote for 18 scoreboards at the Paducah Sportsplex for $222,222, authorized the judge executive to sign the contract, and authorized payment of invoices. Court discussion confirmed the 18 scoreboards cover nine fields (two per field) and that the championship field scoreboard was not included in this award. The procurement used cooperative purchasing and multiple quotes were obtained.

Convention center contractor and change order: the court approved Ascendant Facility Partners as a prequalified design‑build contractor for the convention center via a cooperative purchase agreement and authorized the judge executive to initiate pre‑contract due diligence. Separately, the court approved change order number 002C to extend a related contract by 73 days (43 days for cement stabilization and 30 days for weather delays); the judge executive was authorized to sign associated documents.

Radio system acceptance testing: the court approved change order number 01 with Communication International for the 800 MHz radio project to modify the terms for acceptance testing. The change creates a bifurcated acceptance process that allows agencies to begin using the system earlier while holding back a small retainage (speaker cited 5%) and repeating testing during the following spring to verify full coverage and digital audio quality standards (95% DAQ). The change order does not alter testing standards or remedies but adjusts when final acceptance testing occurs to accommodate earlier use.

Road resurfacing and tax distributions: the judge executive was authorized to sign a resolution to enter into an agreement with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for $162,000 to resurface Westchester Lane. The court also approved disbursing July 2025 transient room tax receipts totaling $443,562.17 to Paducah Convention & Visitors Bureau ($129,343.10), the convention center ($88,302.62), the sports tourism commission ($135,572.35) and an escrow fund ($90,364.10).

Telecommunications franchise interim agreement: on second reading the court adopted ordinance 2025‑11, authorizing an interim agreement with eRitter Communications Holdings LLC to allow that company to commence construction while the formal franchise process is completed. Company representatives said construction had begun and they expected to begin serving customers later in the year.

Voting and process notes: for the items requiring a vote the court recorded standard “All in favor, aye; opposed, no” carry votes; no roll‑call tallies of individual member votes were recorded in the meeting transcript. Several items used cooperative purchasing arrangements or quotes as documented in the procurement files discussed by staff.

What this means: these approvals advance construction and procurement for county facilities and systems — notably the sports park/convention center complex and the radio system — and allow the county to proceed with planned events and operational transitions while preserving final acceptance testing rights and contract remedies described in the meeting.