Motion Passed:  Approved Minutes passed with a motion by Jason Bullock and a second by Dale Beavin.

• Bills and Claims
• Bills and Claims Late List
• Budget Transfers Journal
• Budget Transfers Journal-Late List

Motion Passed:  Bills, Claims, Payments and Transfers stand approved as presented passed with a motion by Jason Bullock and a second by Michael McKenney.

Motion Passed:  Motion to approve 2nd Reading of Ordinance 2026-1 passed with a motion by Michael McKenney and a second by Bo Bennett.

Motion Passed:  Motion to approve 2nd Reading of Ordinance 2026-2 Administrative Code Amendment passed with a motion by Jason Bullock and a second by Bo Bennett.

Motion Passed:  Motion to surplus 2 wrecked Ford Escapes with funds to go into the Emergency Funds passed with a motion by Bo Bennett and a second by Dale Beavin.

Casey Richardson, of Central Midwest Carpenters Council spoke to the court about concerns that they have with contractor practices in the county. They said that in Ohio County and other places that businesses are getting by with unfair wages and treatment of their workers.  They want to propose an ordinance to hold contractors accountable and make sure they are fair to their workers.  He suggested the court use Bourbon and Mercer counties as examples.  The Judge asked Mr. Richardson to contact Charlotte Jones in Occupational Tax and asked Justin Keown to look into what the court can do.

Mr. Steele first thanked the court for allowing him to come back and speak concerning Tom's Branch Road and the egg house. He asked several questions to the court, and then voiced the concerns the citizens have about chicken house being located on their road.

After being questioned, Bo Bennett stated that he knew an egg house had been proposed but did not know location until he was contacted by Mr. Unsel on Dec. 20.

Zach Cantu, thanked the court for allowing him to address the court and talk about the egg house that he is putting in.  He then introduced his family, and stated that this is not a commercial Vital Farms operation. It is just his family putting in the house to have the eggs which Vital Farms will purchase from them. He then spoke to and tried to ease the concerns of the citizens.

After Mr. Cantu spoke, Mr. Steele was permitted to respond.  He stated that they are not attacking the poultry business, again spoke to the concerns that the citizens have for the situation.

Housing Committee to meet on Feb. 1st, contact Michael McKenney if interested in participating.

Wanted to speak to all the citizens that had called about their roads, and stated the road department is working hard and doing the best they can.

Expressed his appreciation to the road department and all they have done trying to get roads better after all the snow and ice.

Thanked the Road Department for their hard work and stated that bad weather does bring bad times, but it also brings out good neighbors.

Thanked the Road Department and also citizens in the Fordsville area who got on their tractors to help neighbors.

Stated that he had asked County Attorney, Justin Keown, to check on the legality of the Father's House vouchers. He then asked why they had not received the road report on these mornings.

Niki Riley stated that she had requested 2025 OCEDA meeting minutes, but has not gotten them yet, asked if someone could help with that.

Mr. Roger Carter of Tom's Branch Road spoke and said no one he knows would be ok with a chicken house 1,000 feet from their front door and they will hold Vital Farms liable for accidents and as the neighbors make sure things are done right.  He then asked if planning and zoning was something that could be put on an election ballot, to which the Judge responded that there is something called a referendum and there was a lengthy procedure to get it on one. 

Dale Beavin spoke up and said he lives near a substation which makes a lot of noise, however is not for county wide planning and zoning.