Fiscal Court Approves $168,500 in FEMA Bids

The Breathitt County Fiscal Court awarded twelve grants totaling $168,591 for FEMA roadwork and structure demolition during its February meeting. 

With Judge Jeff Noble, Magistrate John Marshall, and Brenda Terry joined the meeting by Zoom, and Drewey Lovins and Ryan Chaney present in the courtroom, the Court worked its way through a twenty-one-item agenda in a little over an hour.

The Court unanimously approved ten regular meeting items before opening bids for FEMA Roadwork, FEMA buyouts, and NRCS home demolitions.

Members of the court opened and awarded bids to various contractors for work on Smith Branch Road, Calvin Morris Road, Strong Branch Road, and Stamper’s Fork Road.

Bids for the demolition of flooded homes purchased in the federal buyout program were awarded for structures on Highway 476, Highway 1098, two on Turner Drive, and three on Johns Street.

The Court also opened, but did not award an additional $25,792 in bids pending NRCS approval.  

A measure to remove E. S. Little Road from the county road system was unanimously approved by the Court, following a request from land owners and a public hearing before the meeting.

The Breathitt County Clerk’s Office requested five budget amendments for FICA, copier lease, miscellaneous, and deputy clerk salaries.  The Court approved the amendment, with Ryan Chaney abstaining because he is a candidate for the office.

The Clerk’s Office announced that it would return $25,681 in excess fees to the Breathitt County Fiscal Court’s general fund for county use.

The Court also discussed the Breathitt County Beautification Committee’s work, the progress of the horse round-up, speed bumps on Gross Fork, and the adoption of Jim Gross Lane into the county road system.

The members of the Court tabled a request for $5,000 from the Breathitt County Honey Festival Committee to give them time to review the budget.

The Magistrates approved two handicapped accessible parking spaces for the area near the Breathitt County Jail and a dedicated space for the museum director.