Latest news with #LaurelCountyFiscalCourt
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Fiscal Court approves tornado cleanup oversight, several new hires
At its regular meeting Thursday morning, the Laurel County Fiscal Court approved several items related to tornado recovery and county operations for the upcoming fiscal year. Judge-Executive David Westerfield received approval to bring in DRC Emergency Services to oversee remaining tornado debris cleanup through local subcontractors. He was also authorized to hire a company to handle FEMA documentation related to the cleanup, as well as a monitoring company to meet FEMA requirements for debris removal tracking. As for personnel matters, multiple new hires were approved. Jordan Dalrymple, who will serve as retirement clerk, will enter her role on June 16. Dalrymple will earn $21 per hour for the position. Following the retirement of two road department employees, the department saw two new hires — William Antrim and Billy Goforth. Antrim will earn $15 per hour, whereas Goforth will make $14 an hour due to not having his CDL (commercial driver's license). Further, six temporary employees will be hired to haul debris, each earning $30 an hour. In new business, the court approved bids for materials to be used during the 2025–2026 fiscal year. During the county treasurer's report, several transfers and approvals were made, including: — Approval of May claims with no discussion. — An intra-fund transfer, also approved without discussion. — The adoption of standing orders for the 2025–2026 fiscal year. — The closure of the county's ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) account after funds were fully allocated and spent. The cash transfer report included $500,000 from the occupational tax fund to the road fund, $299,848.67 from the ARPA fund to general fund, and $800,000 from the occupational tax fund to general fund. Judge Westerfield closed Thursday's meeting by thanking those involved with tornado relief efforts. 'I just appreciate everybody in the county for pulling together and trying to help these people,' Westerfield stated. The Laurel County Fiscal Court regularly meets at 8:45 a.m. on the second Monday and 9:30 a.m. on the final Thursday of each month. The fiscal court's next meeting will take place Monday, June 9.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
FEMA assistance available for tornado victims
At a press conference Saturday afternoon, Laurel County Sheriff John Root shared that FEMA is now in the area to assist residents and business owners affected by the May 16 tornado. Saturday's press conference was led by Sheriff Root and Regional Emergency Management Director Jerry Rains. Donna Baker-McClure, Eastern Kentucky Field Representative for U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell; Dustin Heiser, Assistant Director of Operations with Kentucky Emergency Management; Laurel County Fiscal Court Magistrates Danny Smith and Jeff Book; Trooper Joseph Mallory with Kentucky State Police Post 11; and Jaimie Tomaw of Tomaw Law Office were also present. Tomaw is helping those impacted by guiding them through the legal process, such as obtaining and understanding documents. "FEMA is in town," Sheriff Root stated as he began the press conference. "All you have to do is ask for identification to make sure you're dealing with FEMA representatives. They will provide their identification." Sheriff Root shared that residents seeking assistance can apply online at through the FEMA app, or by calling 1-800-621-3362. In-person help is also available at several locations throughout the county. The Laurel County Public Library, located at 120 College Park Drive, is open for FEMA assistance Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from 1 to 7 p.m. Additional Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) sites include: — The Walmart Supercenter located at 1851 KY-192, which is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. — The former Food Fair building located at 1812 North Main Street, which is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — The London-Corbin Airport located at 405 Arrow Park Drive, which is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Wyan-Pine Elementary School located at 2330 Keavy Road, which is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. "You can also go there for assistance filling out your applications," Root said. Questions related to shelter or housing assistance should be directed to the Disaster Survivor Call Center at 502-607-6665, which operates daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. "If you have any questions, you have anything that you're skeptical about or need some guidance, we have call takers that are on duty manning the phones and we will answer those questions," said Rains. "If we can't answer it, we'll call you back and get you an answer." Volunteers and donations are also being welcomed. "You can do that at the London-Corbin Airport. You can also do that at the staging area, the Wyan-Pine School," Root said. "If you have resources you want to bring in — equipment, help, whatever — please direct those questions there." Rains added that anyone wanting to register as a volunteer or check on donation needs can visit the City of London or Laurel County Fiscal Court Facebook pages for sign-up links. The Emergency Operations Center can also be reached at 606-862-7904, operating daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. "Thank you Laurel County and the City of London for all the support and all the help that we've had up to this point, and we're now just moving down the road going on trying to get everybody back to normal," Rains said in closing.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Fatalities confirmed in Laurel County, Kentucky from reported tornado
LONDON, Ky. (WATE) — Multiple fatalities have been confirmed in Laurel County, Kentucky following a reported tornado early Saturday morning. London Mayor Randall Weddle told 6 News that there are confirmed fatalities in the area. The Laurel-Whitley County Emergency Management Office has also reported multiple fatalities, according to the Laurel County Fiscal Court. Video shared to the Laurel County Fiscal Court showed widespread damage across the Sunshine Hills area. Other impacted areas include London-Corbin Airport, Levi Jackson Wilderness Road Park and the Oaks of London subdivision. South Laurel High School at 201 S. Laurel Road in London has been opened as a shelter for those affected. Wyan-Pine Grove Elementary School, located at 2330 Keavy Road in London, said that the building has been opened to those impacted by severe weather. The Community Christian Church at 723 W. 5th Street has also opened as a shelter. This is a developing story. or for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Fiscal court discusses budget, agreement with city
A first reading of the county budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year was conducted at the Laurel County Fiscal Court's meeting Monday morning. The funds, which are subject to change before official adoption at the next meeting, are as follows: General Fund — $17,227,565 Road Fund — $5,698,780 Jail Fund — $13,841,000 LGEA — $37,020 Forest — $9,003 Occupational Tax Fund — $8,216,324 Opioid Settlement — $1,083,000 LOPC — $6,502 County Clerk Storage Funds — $176,060 These funds come to a grand total of $46,295,254. The motion to approve the reading was made by Magistrate Jeff Book. Also discussed at the meeting was the agreement between the city and county regarding the London-Laurel County 911 Communications Center. Judge-Executive David Westerfield requested that the agreement be extended for three months to give himself and the magistrates adequate time to review it before submission as it would have been due June 15, and submission is required 30 days in advance. The magistrates approved the extension. Magistrates additionally approved the MOA (memorandum of agreement) and resolution regarding Durango One, LLC — a business which will be located in the spec building near Ison & Co. Both the monthly financial report and accounts payables were approved with no discussion, following motions by Magistrate John Crawford which received unanimous support. Judge Westerfield then shared that he found a 2017 F350 truck from the state to replace another which is having engine-related issues. The purchase of the truck, in the amount of $70,500, was approved by each of the magistrates following a motion by Bobby Overbay. The cash transfer report included $2,170 from General Fund to Jail Fund — U.S. Marshals Service, and $5,941.44 from General Fund to Jail Fund — U.S. Treasury ICE. The meeting came to adjournment following the report. The Laurel County Fiscal Court regularly meets at 8:45 a.m. on the second Monday and 9:30 a.m. on the final Thursday of each month. The next meeting will take place Thursday, May 29. NOTE: This article has been updated to clarify that the LGEA budget is $37,020.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Fiscal Court presents $1 million check toward Fairgrounds project
Following a special-called meeting Wednesday, April 30, the Laurel County Fiscal Court presented a $1 million check to London Tourism and Parks in support of the London-Laurel Regional Fairgrounds project currently underway. The funding was secured by Senator Brandon Storm last year through the Kentucky Legislature, and the Laurel County Fiscal Court was the designated agency to receive and administer the funds. "We are extremely appreciative of all contributing stakeholders in the Laurel County regional Fairgrounds Project. The Laurel County Fiscal Court, City of London Tourism Commission, and the City Of London are working together to create a legacy project for our community that will be enjoyed by our locals as well as people from around the nation," said Phil Smith, Chairman of the London Tourism Commission. "Thank you, Senator Storm, for advocating for this project and other projects that help to improve the quality of life for this region." Executive Director of London Tourism and Parks Chris Robinson also commented, stating, "We are grateful to Sen. Storm for securing funding for this transformative project, and to the Laurel County Fiscal Court for their partnership in revitalizing the Fairgrounds into a space that will strengthen our community, support future economic growth, and boost tourism in our region." Although Sen. Storm was unable to attend due to scheduling issues, he expressed his support for the tourism commission, thanking it for "bringing this vision to [him] and allowing [him] to work on the endeavor to secure the financial funding last budget cycle." "I'm fully supportive of City and County Tourism and I absolutely love our community," Storm wrote. During the meeting, the county submitted a proposed budget for fiscal year 2025-26. "We can't pass this around because it's just a proposal," Laurel Judge Executive David Westerfield explained. "We can't hand it out until it's approved." Additionally, the county approved the accounts payables and an unspecified surplus item for online auction without further discussion. The Laurel County Fiscal Court regularly meets at 8:45 a.m. on the second Monday and 9:30 a.m. on the final Thursday of each month.
