Trigg County Fiscal Court closed up its final session in the 2023-24 fiscal year Monday night, tying up loose ends with several housekeeping measures in preparation of the new calendar.
Among the highest order: a freshly-drafted lease with the Perry family for access to Vinson Cemetery on US 68 — a vision of a military memorial and accompanying garden in focus.
Magistrates unanimously approved for Judge-Executive Stan Humphries to ink the document, which comes with several directions:
+ The full term of the lease is 99 years, at a cost of $1 per year.
+ The lease cannot be assigned or sublet.
+ The county will maintain the road and parking on any adjoining property to the premises, and shall furnish any needed additional water, lighting and/or electricity to the location, as deemed fit.
+ Should the Perry family, Craig, Stephanie and/or Shannon, not be able to landscape the tracts, the county will assume such duties.
+ And no waste is permitted on site.
Humphries and the court have made it abundantly clear over the last year that development of a historical marker embodying the memory of the 29 March, 2023, two-helicopter crash takes precedent — and that Trigg County’s rich military history would also be reflected in further endeavors.
A line item in the 2024-25 budget earmarks more than $20,000 for beginning such efforts.
In other court news:
— Magistrates made a trio of personnel moves for the Cadiz-Trigg County Planning Commission. Jim Mullen steps in to finish the term of Chris Washer, which ends September 2027. Rick Clement and Mike Heffington are re-appointments, with the former on until September 2027, and the latter on until May 2028.
— Closing out last year’s budget, the county has an ending cash balance of more than $1.4 million in the general fund. Tack on funding for roads, jail, LGEA, CDBG, sheriff, ABC escrow, senior citizens, clerk storage, ARPA and the opioid settlement, and Trigg has more than $5.4 million squared away for next year.
— At the end of each fiscal year, several payments go out to volunteer fire departments, as well as several non-profits in the county. VFD’s each received $1,000, while Camp Cadiz banked $1,250, Genesis Express $5,000, Helping Hands $5,000, and Simple Blessings $3,750.
— Humphries also once again jumpstarted conversations about the possibility of offering the public a streaming option for the twice-monthly meetings. A recent quote from Solutions Technology, however, notes several deficiencies in the well-worn basement, including a need for improved digital cameras, microphones, and a stronger internet connection.
At present, Humphries said this would cost at least $5,000, and that a review of several municipalities surrounding Trigg County showed consistently low viewership of fiscal court proceedings.
Humphries did note that all fiscal court meetings are open to the public, with time for public comments, concerns and questions made every session.
— Humphries also alerted the court that debris drop locations are also available in Roaring Springs and the Trigg-Lyon Fire Department, but it could still be weeks before all cleanup and clearing is complete.
Several nearby counties are estimating somewhere between $600,000 and $2 million in costs for green removal, and Humphries added that the office of Governor Andy Beshear has forwarded disaster declarations to the federal level, in hopes of acquiring FEMA reimbursements.