The first fiscal court meeting following the primary election reflected a normalcy that was often missing during the past three years, with business being peacefully conducted and members sometimes agreeing to disagree.
The court went into executive session without calling for a vote to do so, but the error was corrected when members returned to open session following directions from County Attorney Jennifer Hutchison Corbin.
When returning to open session 20 minutes later, Judge Executive Larry Russell Bryant asked magistrate Todd Davenport to call for a motion about their discussion from the closed session.
Davenport said the court wants all minutes to be updated with a deadline of end of day June 30. Davenport said minutes from as far back as August 2025 are not recorded. Some minutes since then have been done, with minutes from March through a special called meeting in May approved during Tuesday’s meeting.
Fiscal court clerk Amy Pike said the deadline would not be a problem and explained they are getting the copier in the county clerk’s office upgraded to help speed up the process. She said it took seven hours to complete three months of minutes using the process that is currently in place with equipment in the clerk’s office.
During other business, magistrate Chris Reeder said the county needs to approve the city’s comprehensive plan so the city can get that moving and made a motion to do so, with court approval. Bryant commented he would not say anything about it, but he had attempted to hold up the approval to have a meeting with the city about the city’s support of the economic development authority and tourism commission.
The court approved first reading of the budget, three contracts for opioid program funding, and several standard agreements that are part of normal operating procedures.
The court approved the purchase of a vehicle for the sheriff’s department to replace one damaged by gunfire during a standoff last month. The court gave Emergency Management Director Grant Loy permission to purchase a spotlight for use with a drone for $824.
The court approved $10,000 that is budgeted each year for the airport board and approved a motion to advertise for road bids, including salt. Members rejected the idea of taking part in a salt auction, with Deputy Judge Bridget Compton reporting that KACo no longer participates in the auction.
Approval for reading of roads included a first reading to take Beagle Road off county maintenance and to add a 25 mph speed limit on B. Goodin Road. Approved second readings make Starlight Ridge Road and Sullivan Loop a private passageway, approved a name change from Lazy Dog to Lady Dog Road, and a bus turnaround on Combest Road.
During public comments, Veronica Arnold voiced concerns about the condition of some county roads in her area, the county’s approach to killing poison hemlock and asked the court to consider zoning regulations pertaining to data centers.
All magistrates were present for the meeting.
By Sharon Burton
snburton@adairvoice.com
