County changes court dates

After initially voting 4-2 in favor of keeping meeting dates as scheduled for the month of November, fiscal court decided at a regular scheduled meeting on Friday to meet only once during the month (Nov. 19) to avoid conflict with employee schedules during the Veterans Day and Thanksgiving holidays.

Washington County Judge-Executive John Settles said after looking into how the change would impact the payment of venders, it was determined that the chosen date would cause no conflict of interest. The court voted unanimously in support of the change.
A small bridge near the larger Grundy Home Road bridge off of Bardstown Road appears to need to be replaced, and county government set a process in motion on Friday to do just that. Because of the bridge’s size, the project will be addressed locally.
“It’s 19-and-a-half feet long, therefore it’s not inspected by the state,” Settles said. “It has to be 20 feet long before the state says it’s a bridge, so it’s never been inspected.”
Settles said minor damage was initially apparent, but the bridge’s condition was found to be more serious after further investigation.
“For whatever reason, a large chunk of concrete broke off the edge. Traffic could still cross the bridge, but it was somewhat dangerous,” Settles said. “While we were under it, we found out that the webbing on the beams is deteriorating drastically. The bridge is going to have to be replaced.”
The county, which still has 80/20 funding available from the state for bridge repairs, is currently looking into naming a contractor for the project.
The court received five applications for the opening of the planning administrator position following the retirement of Gary Byerly on Oct. 11. A court-appointed committee recommended Buddy Parker be approved for the position at $12 an hour and 10 hours per week. The hiring was unanimously accepted by the court.
Fiscal court received just one bid for repairs on the facade and windows of the Pinkston building, with that bid being rejected in hopes that additional time will bring forth further bids.
Graves Construction’s $17,325 bid was turned down on Friday. Additional bids for the replacement of the windows, painting and awning repair will be taken separately, as well as bids for the total project.
“We can’t do this unless we move the money from another project,” Settles said after delivering the initial offer. “We only have $6,000 of revenue toward that building.”
All magistrates were in attendance. The next fiscal court meeting will be the special-called meeting on Monday, Nov. 19 at 9 a.m.