Franklin County Fiscal Court approves ordinance, grant application, salt-barn change orders and countywide pay adjustments

Franklin County Judge/Executive Michael Mueller presided over the Franklin County Fiscal Court meeting on Jan. 9, 2024, where the court approved a series of administrative measures including an ordinance amendment, a grant application, multiple construction change orders and countywide salary adjustments.

The court unanimously approved minutes from the Dec. 14 special meeting and approved amended minutes from the Dec. 21 special meeting with Squire J.W. Blackburn recorded as abstaining on the latter. The court also received the County Clerk’s quarterly report ending Dec. 31, 2023 and later received the Treasurer’s report for the same period.

On a motion by Squire Scotty Tracy, seconded by Squire J.W. Blackburn, the court gave second reading and approved Ordinance #1-2024, a first amendment to the Local Development Area Agreement for the Paddocks of Frankfort Local Development Area created by the City of Frankfort. Voting recorded in favor were Squires Sherry Sebastian, J.W. Blackburn, Kelly Dycus, Scotty Tracy, Richard Tanner and Judge Mueller; Squire Eric Whisman was recorded as voting present and the motion passed.

The court approved Resolution #1-2024, authorizing filing an application to the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services for the Ambulance Block Grant Program, on a motion by Squire Sherry Sebastian, seconded by Squire Eric Whisman. The resolution was approved unanimously.

The Fiscal Court approved four Change Order #1 items related to relocation of the county salt barn: Change Orders to Colston Paving Inc., Rising Sun Development Inc., Walker Mechanical and Codell Construction were each approved on motions entered by various Squires and recorded as passing unanimously. Those approvals authorize contract changes necessary to relocate the county salt barn as part of the Road Department project.

The court approved salary adjustments for Road Department employees and for Jail Department employees on motions by Squire Kelly Dycus (seconded by Squire Eric Whisman). The court also approved salary increases for employees who work under the direct supervision of the County Judge/Executive—across departments including the County Judge’s staff, County Attorney, Coroner’s Office, Human Resources, Planning and Zoning, Maintenance, IT, Dog Warden, Treasurer, Occupation Tax, Friend of Court, Crime Victims Advocate, Community Development, Solid Waste, Park/Golf and Fire—on a motion by Squire Eric Whisman, seconded by Squire Scotty Tracy. Those personnel actions were approved by the court at the meeting.

No motion was offered to deny any claim and bills were ordered to be paid. The court amended the agenda to add other business and then adjourned at 7:20 p.m.

Votes at a glance
- Approve minutes (Dec. 14): motion passed (unanimous)
- Approve amended minutes (Dec. 21): passed; Squire J.W. Blackburn abstained
- Ordinance #1-2024 (second reading and approval): passed (6 yes, 1 present/recorded)
- Resolution #1-2024 (ambulance grant application): passed (unanimous)
- Change Order #1 — Colston Paving Inc.: passed (unanimous)
- Change Order #1 — Rising Sun Development Inc.: passed (unanimous)
- Change Order #1 — Walker Mechanical: passed (unanimous)
- Change Order #1 — Codell Construction: passed (unanimous)
- Salary adjustments (Road Dept.; Jail Dept.; Judge/Executive supervised departments): passed (unanimous)
- Treasurer’s report received: passed (unanimous)

The court scheduled no additional votes at this meeting; the ordinance amending reapportionment of magisterial districts received first reading only and will require further action at a later date.