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It’s uncommon to see the Clark County Fiscal Court meet twice in a span of three days. 

However, the last week of September featured such an occasion. 

During a special called meeting and regularly scheduled meeting, the Court met to discuss financial matters and others that were a concern to the general public. 

On Tuesday, September 24th, the Court held its special meeting. 

“We need about $30,000 today to get the payroll met and to have the bills paid,” said Clark County Judge-Executive Les Yates. “The question is where to take the money from.” 

Magistrates inquired about various possibilities, with Magistrate Steve Craycraft asking about the possibility of short-term loans. 

Ultimately, it was decided by a 5-1 vote to move $30,000 from ARPA funds to meet the Court’s needs. 

Judge Yates and Magistrates Craycraft, Robert Blanton, Chris Davis, and Mark Miller served as “yes” votes, with Magistrate Dan Konstantopoulos serving as the lone “no” vote. 

Magistrate Ernest Pasley was absent from the meeting. 

Miller said that he was content with transferring from the ARPA funds “as long as it goes back in there.” 

However, Konstantopolous said, “I’m against taking it from the ARPA funds…my option is we do not distribute the community funds because there’s no point in giving that money away until we have money in hand to be able to do that.” 

Magistrate Miller questioned if there was a way to guarantee that money would be put back into the fund once taken out. 

“Through another action by this body,” Magistrate Robert Blanton responded. “That’s true of any account that we transfer out of.” 

To meet payroll needs, action was required to be taken by the Fiscal Court meeting of Thursday, October 26.. 

During last Thursday’s meeting, with anticipation that Hurricane Helene was well on its way, many county residents were present to express concerns regarding the bridge located at Red River Road. 

Judge Yates explained that the bridge – constructed in 1912 – is in need of repair. 

“CSX has announced verbally…that they do own the bridge,” said Judge Yates. 

He added that he desires for a decision to be made quickly by the company as to whether to take action repairing or replacing the bridge, or donating money toward the bridge and returning it to county control. 

Yates also acknowledged concerns related to emergency access in the region. 

“I would like to see more patrols in that area, because that is a pretty lonely stretch of road especially from the low water crossing each way,” he said. “Whether it’s White Conkwright [Road] or Red River [Road], it’s a pretty long stretch especially for the people going in and out.” 

Judge Yates mentioned that additional factors could also create challenges. 

Clark County Fire Department Chief Steve Asbury responded to concerns about potential flooding in the area. 

He stated that – with permission from Judge Yates – the fire department would be able to respond to the scene faster if they could utilize a shorter route through East Kentucky Power Cooperative. 

“East Kentucky Power’s main gate is operated by a key card system. Our engine three that’s out of Trapp has that key card in it and it’s under lock and key within that engine. The other end has a physical lock on it, and we have a key to that,” he said, adding that utilizing the route would cut down response time approximately 50%. “As long as the judge gives me permission, I’ll pass that key out to EMS and other agencies that need that key…if there was an emergency, I can tell you we are dispatched. We will come to your residence during an emergency. There’s no doubt East Kentucky Power is allowing us to come through that property, so I promise you if there’s a flood this weekend [that] the Fire Department will respond.”