Franklin County Fiscal Court approves bids, grants and zoning amendment; OKs purchase of firefighter gear washer

Frankfort — The Franklin County Fiscal Court, presided over by County Judge/Executive Michael Mueller, on Feb. 12 unanimously approved a package of bids, resolutions and an ordinance affecting flood‑buyout work, sewer infrastructure and county budgeting.

The court awarded Environmental Database Review work for the county’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Home Buyout Program to Metric Environmental, LLC and approved Studler & Associates, Inc. for appraisal services contingent on proof of SAM.gov compliance within 15 days (the County Judge may extend that deadline if requested). Squire Sherry Sebastian moved to award the database review contract; Squire Mike Harrod seconded the appraisal award motion. Both motions passed with Squires Sebastian, J.W. Blackburn, Kelly Dycus, Mike Harrod, Richard Tanner, Eric Whisman and Judge Mueller voting in favor.

The court also approved two resolutions directing the Bluegrass Area Development District to administer grant funding for the Farmdale Sanitation Interceptor Sewer Project: Resolution #5‑2026 to administer a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Resolution #6‑2026 to administer a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Congressionally Directed State and Tribal Assistance Grant (STAG). Squire Sebastian moved the CDBG resolution; Squire Harrod moved the STAG resolution; both were seconded and passed unanimously.

In a public‑safety action, the court voted to apply the remaining balance of Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) funds to purchase a gear washer extractor and dryer for the Franklin County Fire Department. Squire Harrod moved the measure and Squire Blackburn seconded; the motion passed unanimously.

Other actions during the short meeting included approval of a Memorandum of Understanding between Thorn Hill Education Center and the Franklin County Regional Jail to provide adult education services, receipt of the Farmdale Sanitation District audited financial statements for the years ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, approval of Budget Transfers for fiscal year 2025–2026, and acceptance of the Treasurer’s Report. The court conducted a second reading and approved Ordinance #11‑2026, amending Franklin County Code of Ordinances Chapter 155 (Sections 155.071 and 155.072) concerning zoning map amendments and commission recommendations. A resolution authorizing the County Judge/Executive to execute payment of an arbitrage rebate (Resolution #7‑2026) also passed.

Votes at a glance: all recorded motions passed unanimously with Squires Sebastian, Blackburn, Dycus, Harrod, Tanner, Whisman, and Judge Mueller voting in favor. Where recorded, movers and seconders were: approval of amended minutes (moved Squire Sebastian; seconded Squire Dycus); Thorn Hill MOU (moved Squire Harrod; seconded Squire Dycus); Metric Environmental award (moved Squire Sebastian; seconded Squire Harrod); Studler & Associates appraisal award (moved Squire Sebastian; seconded Squire Harrod); Resolution #5‑2026 (moved Squire Sebastian; seconded Squire Whisman); Resolution #6‑2026 (moved Squire Harrod; seconded Squire Blackburn); AFG funds purchase (moved Squire Harrod; seconded Squire Blackburn); Ordinance #11‑2026 adoption (moved Squire Harrod; seconded Squire Dycus); Resolution #7‑2026 (moved Squire Harrod; seconded Squire Sebastian); adjournment (moved Squire Harrod; seconded Squire Dycus).

The meeting record shows no motions to deny any claim and lists the meeting adjourned at 6:13 p.m. The Studler & Associates award is explicitly conditional on SAM.gov proof within 15 days; no dollar amounts for that contract, the AFG remaining-balance amount, or the bid totals were specified in the record.

The court livestreamed the meeting via the Frankfort Plant Board channel, the Fiscal Court’s Facebook page and official YouTube channel. County Attorney Max Comley was present. Fiscal Court Clerk Kim Cox signed the record.