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After time changes were recently approved, the Clark County Fiscal Court had its first 8:30 a.m. meeting of the month on Thursday, Feb. 15th. 

Among other items, money was approved for the building of a prospective foster care setting, while the second reading of a budget amendment was approved. 

Judy Singleton, a former educator, was present along with Stacie McLaughlin the marketing director for Sunrise Children’s Services. 

According to its official website, Sunrise Children’s Services – a nonprofit organization – “provides care and hope for hurting families and children through Christ-centered ministries.” 

Thus, it provides therapeutic foster care, residential therapeutic treatment, and community-based services. 

The organization’s family is licensed by the state of Kentucky as a Behavioral Health Services Organization, or BHSO.

Plans are currently in development for Solid Rock Children’s Ranch, set on 130 acres, to be set up in Winchester in order to help through Sunrise Children’s Services many of the approximately 10,000 Kentucky children in out-of-home care. 

Specifically, Solid Rock Children’s Ranch hopes to keep sibling groups together. 

Singleton spoke first, referencing a meeting with the fiscal court from 2022. 

“We asked for help with financial funding for Solid Rock at that time. It was my understanding that it was approved when we were ready to build and that [when] we were ready to build, then we’d come back…to let you know where we were,” she said. “At that point, we would be able to have the $5,000 that you all had approved back in 2022.” 

Finalized plans for the Solid Rock Children’s Ranch will include two houses. 

While building – set to take place in June thanks to the services of Mississippi Nailbenders – is free of charge, money could support purchasing materials and tending to other preparatory matters, including concrete work. 

The Clark County Fiscal Court was open to approving the funding, but acknowledged needing to get a line item added corrected. 

With the financial information presented to the fiscal court able to be used as an invoice, further action awaits – though it is likely to be approved. 

The fiscal court also approved upon second reading an ordinance amending the 2024 Fiscal Court budget. 

Specifically, $1.8 million that was agreed to be received as related to a $1.8 million bond applied for to the Kentucky Association of Counties (KACO) for different projects was approved. 

Much of the money will go toward further improvements with the Clark County Detention Center. 

Related to additional monies, matters of concern that were raised in January’s fiscal court meeting were brought up once more, with several magistrates requesting documents for improved understanding.