The Trigg County Fiscal Court took action on two critical items Monday night, looking to save money on the coming construction of a new Recreation Complex concession stand, while trying to financially jumpstart clean-up efforts from debris left behind in the Memorial Day weekend storms.
Judge-Executive Stan Humphries said two bids were placed on those concession plans — both of them “well beyond what was envisioned,” despite the awarding of a grant to help pay for a needed update.
Humphries added that there were a “multitude of reasons” why these bids came in so high, but the court’s “Building & Grounds” committee, through Magistrate Barry Littlejohn, recommended the rejection of these bids and the seeking of new ones.
Magistrate Cameron Sumner also offered a cost-reducing suggestion.
Humphries also noted that general contracting the project might also bring a more suitable price.
As for those clean-up efforts, Humphries said that ER Assist — the company expected to help Trigg County finish out debris removal — has to shift its attention to more pressing matters in the east, where damages from Hurricane and Tropical Storm Helene have changed not only topography, but entire cities. Humphries told the court he was “assured” ER Assist could help, but that removal estimates would remain unfavorable in the foreseeable future.
A 13% federal reimbursement of $600,000, the expected cost, comes out to $78,000 — a process, Humphries said, that could take months to recover from FEMA.
Since Trigg County remains under a federal disaster declaration until early next year, Humphries said he has the authority to spend up to $100,000 for a cleanup cost without need for a bid process.
Meaning: he can buy a grappling truck for local road officials to operate. Magistrates unanimously approved the option.
In other court news:
— Humphries confirmed that movement continues on the financial transition of the spec building at the I-24 Business Park. He said the prospective company is still locked in on the property and coming to Trigg County, but is only halfway finished with a mandatory 120-day due diligence phase. Until then, fiscal court will make its interest payments on the plat’s cost, until those reimbursements come in the exchange. A letter of intent has been signed.
— Treasurer Lucy Oliver Kyler said officials are getting “really close” to what the wrap will look like for the new senior citizen’s bus. The vehicle has been ordered and has arrived, but Kyler noted a couple of other projects have jumped to the front. With those out of the way, a decision on its design is coming, and once it does, it will take six weeks to finish the build.
— Humphries also confirmed that Spurr Architecture will be here this Wednesday, in order to fully discuss the scope of the planned construction of a new Trigg County Rescue building. Like the community’s financial promise and build-out of the fiber internet structure with Pennyrile Electric and HES, Humphries said some ARPA funds have been put aside for this to find fruition.
— As for the veteran’s memorial to be placed near US 68 and Vinson’s Cemetery, Humphries said that group effort is “moving quickly,” and at the moment is seeking 501 (c)(3) non-profit status, not only in order to allow community members to support the memorial committee, but also in order to create perpetuity for the property’s preservation. The hope, Humphries said, is to have a Blackhawk Crash symbol installed before March 2025, and this same committee has plans of turning the corner closest to Cadiz into a memorial garden.
