JANUARY 21, 2016
Louisa, Ky. — Lawrence County Fiscal Court members had a 22 item agenda Tuesday but they made it through it in just over an hour.
The Main topics were the re-leasing of the old Methodist Church now owned by the county to last year’s GOP Judge/Exec. candidate Rick May and his board of Elders (see separate story on main page of Lazer) and the battle between two competing medical air transport companies for the county’s business. (See Lazer main page for separate story.)
But those weren’t the only matters to come before the court. In addition to regular housekeeping business the court:
- Heard Alan Rose speak on behalf of Sullivan University (See video above)
- Approved Revised Fee Ordinance on Subscriber Fees for Volunteer Fire Depts. Big Sandy Vol. Fire dept. will be paid for residents who are served in that district.
- Re-appointed Keith Chaffin to the LC Tourism Commission Exp.1/24/19
- Appointed Harold Daniels and Barry Webb to LC Board of Ethics.
- Approved Clerk to Advertise for Bids on Surplus Property including one car and one truck and other various items including old computers/printers in county attornry’s office.
- Adopted Mileage Reimbursement at Federal Rate of 54 cents per mile, down from the previous 56 cents per mile.
- Approved to Change Exp. Dates on Planning and Zoning Commission and Board of Adjustment Members to staggered terms so they will be in complance with state law. The new members are all starting out fresh because there has been no active Commission since 2002.
- Tabled the issue of Taking Thompson Lane 0.101 Mile into the County Road System. Magistrates are reneging on accepting new roads until the roads already in the system can be repaired.
- Update on Economic Development from Catrina Vargo:
Economic Development update for Dec. 2015–
Grants– Submitted proposals for two Flex-E grants of $10,000 each through ARC, one for enclosure and landscaping for mini-golf project at Lawrence County Park & Campground, one for upgrades to Main Street Park to include remodeling stage to accommodate live theater.
Advertising proposal– was also submitted for $35,000 through SOAR, for a comprehensive multi-media advertising and marketing package to promote Lawrence County to aid in attracting new business and industry, showing how operating a large business in a small town can have many advantages.
County Website– Met with county website designer to completely revamp the current site so that it will have a new appearance, with more content, pictures, links, and will be mobile friendly.
One East KY— Attended OEK press conference for labor study project taking place in nine county region which will determine what transferrable skills our people have that will match up with potential new companies coming into the area.
Sullivan University– Signed agreement with Sullivan University on Dec. 23 for a satellite site to be housed in the annex building of the Lawrence Co. Courthouse.
KY Wired– Consulted with representatives from Columbia Telecommunications, who are installing the new black fiber known as KY Wired. Gained a better understanding of what this means for eastern KY and for Lawrence County.
Business Leads–Pursuing several leads on different companies including manufacturing and distribution.
SEKCoC- Working on plans to restructure the Louisa Chapter of the Southeast KY Chamber of Commerce.
Tourism– Tourism Commission is developing a budget committee and a separate planning period in order to prioritize and complete tourism related projects. A large event will be taking place at Yatesville Lake this spring, and the tourism commission will be working to assist in every way possible.
If anyone would like more information on anything concerning economic development, they are welcome to call or come by the office any time.
