Fiscal Court hears Rush Off-Road update

Jan. 10—CATLETTSBURG — The Boyd County Fiscal Court heard that the abandoned mine lands grant for Rush Off-Road park is moving forward.

The program will add an access road to the park as well as extensions of sewer and water in the park. The funds will be used to pay FIVCO for administrative work on the plans and design work by E.L Robinson.

The project is currently surveying for endangered species potentially in the park. The study would not stop the project but could result in additional mitigation requirements, said Paul Amburgey, project manager with E.L Robinson Engineering. Amburgey said he was told the process could take five months.

Eric Patton, grant consultant, said he hoped the construction could start this summer.

Other highlights from Tuesday's meeting:

—The court approved the county clerk's budget. Kevin Johnston, Boyd County Clerk, said, "Across the state everybody has seen a decrease; unfortunately our county saw a decrease of $200,000 in revenue. Hopefully we will rebound this year. We were still able to cover our office at no expense to the county, so that's a plus."

The court approved fourth quarter budget in the amount of $18,493,510, yearly summary, setting salary cap at $1.5 million.

The court voted to set the salary cap for the sheriff's office at $3,765,890.02.

Sheriff Jamie Reihs said, "Everything is going to stay the same on our budget expenditure-wise. There is a slight increase on the salary."

—The court approved the lease of a building to open a satellite sheriff's office adjacent to Camp Landing. The building is used by ER Assist, and the county will be able to use the building for the cost of utilities, said Judge-Executive Eric Chaney.

"It is centrally located and is going to cut down on our response time," Reihs said.

—The court approved a 3% cost-of-living raise for county employees.

—The court voted to adopt Commerce Park and Doyle Street into the county road system.

(606) 326-2657 — ajohnson@dailyindependent.com