Fiscal Court accepts NRCS grant paperwork, awards buyout appraisals and demolition contracts, and approves title and asbestos procurements

At its Feb. 16 session, the Letcher County Fiscal Court approved actions to advance flood-recovery buyouts and remediation work funded through federal programs.

Staff asked the court to authorize the judge to sign NRCS grant paperwork related to the 2025 flood grant (NRCS 5076); the court granted that authority. The court also awarded appraisal services for new buyout properties to Mountain Real Estate (sole bidder at $600) and accepted low bids for six demolition properties under round 6 of demo procurements; staff said environmental reviews will proceed before final acquisition steps.

Procurement actions included awarding title services to Appalachian Title Insurance Agency and approving round-5 asbestos‑abatement contracts for two addresses. Staff said some purchased materials and services (stone, NRCS purchases) remain pending state approvals but are moving forward. The court recorded roll-call votes on each procurement and grant authorization during the meeting.

These procurements and authorizations are part of the county’s broader recovery program, linking FEMA public assistance, NRCS, environmental reviews and local match requirements to move buyouts and remediation into appraisal and demolition stages.