Knott County Fiscal Court approves water, sewer and paving contracts, bridge match and routine transfers

Knott County Fiscal Court approved a suite of infrastructure contracts, grant administration selections and routine finance actions during its February 2024 meeting at the courthouse.

The court selected an administrator for the 2023 CDBG public service grant that supports the Hickory Hill Recovery Center and approved multiple water and sewer project contracts, including work listed for Cheshire Ridge and several Chestnut Ridge water/sewer phases. Motions to approve the CDBG administrator and the various project contracts were made and carried by voice vote.

Court members also reviewed and approved January transfers, including a payroll transfer of $332,631.76 to the payroll fund and interfund transfers noted in the report. Treasurer remarks included reported cash balances: general fund $912,639.43; road fund $714,542.36; jail fund $45,978.81. The treasurer said FEMA had reimbursed the county $871,511.22 since the last regular meeting. The court preapproved routine March transfers to allow staff to move funds as needed.

Infrastructure and paving decisions included approval of a prioritized Flex paving list for roads that are FEMA-eligible or in urgent condition; county staff noted Mountain Enterprise’s pricing and the practical constraints around sourcing asphalt locally. The court also approved participation in an 80/20 bridge program (county match 20%) for several projects including Owens Branch Road; the county reported a $100,000 grant allocation for the program and described required local in-kind or cash match obligations.

Court members received an update on the Chestnut Ridge development: officials said construction work for homes at the Sportsplex portion is expected to start in mid-summer, with bids for water, sewer and roads to be issued in late February and an anticipated award around Feb. 22; officials said construction could begin as early as April 1. Samaritan’s Purse was reported to have committed to build the first 22 houses free of charge, with 10 already designated for recipients.

Why it matters: The approvals advance post-flood recovery projects and planned residential development in the county. FEMA reimbursements and state programs such as KIA and KYTC are funding components for water, sewer and road projects; county-approved transfers and match commitments will affect near-term cash flow and project delivery schedules.

Details and numbers: The treasurer reported the general fund balance at $912,639.43 and a $332,631.76 payroll transfer. FEMA reimbursements recorded since the last meeting totaled $871,511.22. The court discussed a previous $500,000 emergency-management amount that the general fund had loaned and is now being repaid as FEMA money is returned to the county.

Votes and formal actions at a glance:
- Approved selection of 2023 CDBG public service grant administrator (Hickory Hill Recovery Center) — motion and voice vote.
- Approved Cheshire Ridge DP1 sewer project contract — motion and voice vote.
- Approved multiple Chestnut Ridge water and sewer-related resolutions and main access contracts — motions and voice votes.
- Approved January transfers (including payroll) and preapproved March transfers — motions and voice votes.
- Approved Flex paving recommendations and vendor arrangement — motion and voice vote.
- Approved participation in 80/20 bridge program (county match) — motion and voice vote.
- Approved claims list and treasurer’s report — motion and voice vote.

What was not decided: While the court advanced multiple construction and finance items, the meeting did not finalize all procurement timelines or specify exact contract dollar values in the public record during the session; some award dates and executed contract details remain pending with KYTC and KIA.

Next steps: Staff will circulate paving and bridge program documentation, execute grant contracts after state sign-offs, and proceed with advertised bid schedules for Chestnut Ridge water, sewer and road packages.