Judge Johnston signed a proclamation, proclaiming April 3, 2026 Arbor Day in Ohio County

Judge Johnston signed a proclamation for the Month of April to be Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month in Ohio County.  The court was joined by representatives from the Children’s Advocacy Center and DCBS; Alexus Sinnett, Bell Tolle, Samantha Sigler, Chad Wilson and Annette Rigdon.

• 3.10.2026 FCM Minutes

Motion Passed:  Approved March 10, 2026 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 Michael McKenney.

• Financial Statement
• Revenue Condition
• Appropriation Condition

Motion Passed:  Acknowledge receiving February's Financial Statement. passed with a motion by Dale Beavin and a second by Larry Morphew.

Motion Passed:  Motion to take the Ambulance Bid/Proposals to committee, committee comprised of the fiscal court members. Committee to meet at 4:00 pm on April 14, prior to the regular scheduled fiscal court meeting passed with a motion by Larry Morphew and a second by Bo Bennett.

Two Ambulance Bid/Proposals were received and were opened, Com-Care and AMR.  No action was taken at this meeting, as the committee will review and a vote will be taken at the next Fiscal Court Meeting, April 14, 2026.

Motion Passed:  Motion to sign agreement to participate in a new opioid settlement passed with a motion by Larry Morphew and a second by Bo Bennett.

• Ordinance 2026-3 1st reading

Motion Passed:  Motion to pass first reading of Ordinance 2026-3 passed with a motion by Larry Morphew and a second by Bo Bennett.

 Michael McKenney asked County Attorney Justin Keown if he was comfortable with the wording of the ordinance.  Mr. Keown stated that he had looked it over and felt the wording was in good order, but that there could be a few small changes for the 2nd reading.

Road Superintendent, Nick Woolen gave an update/report on the Road Department.  He said they had been in the process of ditching, tile repair, fixing potholes and the new pothole patcher is doing good.  They are getting ready for mowing season and the new mow trim is working well. The funds from the April floods last year will be slow coming due to government shut down, but they will come.  They have repaired 2 bridges, one Bethel Church Road and Mill Run. They  are in the process of replacing the last wooden bridge in the county on Shreve Road.  They have another bridge submitted on Quarter Horse Lane and in the next few weeks will be replacing a culvert on Roby Lane.

Tourism Director, Jody Flener gave an update on how tourism is doing in the county.  She said that to date the museum has now had visitors form all 50 states and 10 countries including 9 tour groups.  She spoke about the need for a hotel in the county as her funding comes from "Heads and Beds" to do with the stays in the hotels, air bnbs and campgrounds.  She spoke about the mowing at Everett Park in the 5th District and asked Magistrate Larry Morphew if he could help with his discretionary funds, he stated that he had committed his to the fire departments.  She then talked about how good tourism is picking up and asked everyone to encourage people to stay in the county when they come for events.

Michael McKenney said the housing committee was to meet the next week and he should have a report at the next fiscal court meeting.

Dale stated that he and the judge would be on a Facebook live the next morning at Shreve Bridge.  He also thanked the Road Department for their work on Rocky Creek Road and Magan.

Mr. Hamilton spoke again concerning his situation, County Attorney Justin Keown addressed his questions as best he could.

Judge Johnston then gave a quick update on Highway 1903, stating that the court had received the report, the mine was in violation and the state highway department legal team is now involved.