Members of the court were joined by FFA members, Peyton Wright, Reagan Smith, Khloe Coffman, Weston Spencer and their FFA advisor/Ag Teacher, Greg Hillard for a signing of a proclamation for FFA week 2026

• 2.10.2026 FCM Minutes

Motion Passed:  Approved Minutes passed with a motion by Michael McKenney and a second by Bo Bennett.

• Bills and Claims
• Budget Transfers Journal

Motion Passed:  Bills, Claims, Payments and Transfers stand approved as presented passed with a motion by Bo Bennett and a second by Dale Beavin.

• January Financial Statement
• Appropriation Condition
• Revenue Condition

Motion Passed:  Acknowledge receipt of January 2026 Treasurer's Financial Statement passed with a motion by Larry Morphew and a second by Dale Beavin.

• Sheriff's Final 2025 Budget

Motion Passed:  Acknowledge receipt of the Sheriff's 2025 Final Budget passed with a motion by Michael McKenney and a second by Bo Bennett.

• Sheriff's Estimated 2026 Budget

Motion Passed:  Acknowledge receipt of the Sheriff's 2026 Estimated Budget passed with a motion by Dale Beavin and a second by Michael McKenney.

The Judge stated to Ohio County Clerk, Bess Ralph, that the upgrade would be taken care of and to get with the County Treasurer to work out the details.

Jerry Bailey, Head of Maintenance, gave an update on the heating and cooling situation in the Community Center. Since the new units were put in last year, he stated that the electric bill for 2025 was $6500 and with the new system in 2025 was $5000; water bill for 2024 was $1200 and 2025 was $700, showing that the new system is not only work very efficiently but is also saving money.

Katie Abner, along with Shelia Bartlett and Brandy Rothberger, spoke about their organization, No One Fights Alone in Ohio County.  The organization is a 501c3 and helps individuals and families as they can, with the financial burdens that cancer treatments can bring.  They talked about some upcoming fundraisers and encouraged the court to consider a donation to them.

Motion Passed:  Motion to approve the Ohio County Clothing Bank Designation acknowledgment for the Mission Center passed with a motion by Dale Beavin and a second by Michael McKenney.

Melissa Palermino and Serenity Gardner spoke about Celebrate the Child, which will be on April 25, 3 to 7 pm.  This is the 35th year for Celebrate the Child, and they asked the court if they would consider a monetary donation in which magistrates and the judge agreed to give $100 each from their discretionary funds.

Nolan Webb, Tornado Strike Team, Kessley Baker, Rural Fire Suppression Technical Advisor, Steven Hammond, Madisonville Branch Manager, Samantha Rose, Deputy Fire Chief KDF, all with the KY Division of Forestry were in attendance.

Nolan Webb and Kessley Baker spoke to the court about a Community wildfire Protection Plan.  Ohio County has been identified as a higher wildfire area than usual.  The plan is for risk assessment and mitigation plans.  They have spoken to the EMA Director, Charlie Shields, and he is reviewing the plan and will make changes and additions, at which point the plan will be presented to the court for adoption.  There are not legal requirements in adopting this plan.

Also, Nolan, spoke about the Tornado Strike Team which helps to allow land owners to return their properties to what it was before the 2021 tornadoes.  It is a free service to the communities.

The judge appointed a committee to work with Charlie, members to be: David Stevens, Jason Geary and Justin Cooper.

Motion Passed:  Motion to approve hire of Addison Phillips seasonal employee, Level 1 at 14.40 per hour, effective 2-22-2026, at the Ohio County Golf Course passed with a motion by David Johnston.

The Housing Committee has a meeting coming up.

Jason Bullock had met with OCEDA and Jerusalem Ridge committees working on the Festival which will be in September

Gave a shout out to the Water District for the work on Tucker Hollow Lane, with 6 new water meters being put in.

also, gave a should out to Katie Abner and her work with No One Fights Alone in Ohio County, and stated he would donate $100 from his discretionary funds.

Praying for dry weather so that the pot hole patcher can get to work on needed projects.

Motion Passed:  Motion to add Trump Lane to the Rural Waterline list passed with a motion by Larry Morphew and a second by David Johnston.

Larry Morphew stated that he had a request for a waterline on Trump Lane and wanted to add it to the rural waterline list.  There was discussion and it was stated that when there was money in the account again, it would be reassessed and consider moving it up.

Ohio County Clerk, Bess Ralph, thanked the court again.

Helen Dever, Ohio County School Board member, announced that the Ohio County Board of Education would be operating for the first time in their new building on February 25, 2026.

Michael McKenney asked Beau Wright, Mayor of Hartford if all water advisories were now over.  Mayor Wright said that yes, thankfully so.