Old Business, Continued

Tri-Valley Agreement for 2025

Commissioner Mika Milburn said she didn’t want to sign an agreement with Tri-Valley, since the county doesn’t have agreements with other similar entities that they support.

The county budget for supporting Tri-Valley is already budgeted and approved for the 2025 calendar year, and some payments have already been made.

County Clerk Susan Walker said that if there are delinquent taxes, it would make it so that the county can’t pay the full amount.

The commission chose to take no action on the item.

Enterprise Lease Agreement

Sheriff Bill Martin came to follow up with the commission regarding the agreement with Enterprise to lease vehicles for his fleet. The Master Equity Lease Agreement needs to be signed to begin the process.

“Something needs to be done…I need vehicles, but that choice is up to you,” said Martin.

Deputy Murphy spoke about the original request for 11 new vehicles. He said that after attending some commission meetings, they realized that was a big ask, so Enterprise came to them with some other options: one for 8 new vehicles and one for 7.

At least six of the fleet’s vehicles are so old that they cost more to repair and maintain than they would to replace. This creates the need for bigger initial start-up funding.

At issue is the safety of citizens and officers, as well as the department’s ability to meet its obligations and go out on calls.

Milburn expressed the fear that the county will be locked into a lease program that doesn’t work for them.

Murphy said it’s a lease-to-own program, giving the department equity every time they sell the old ones through Enterprise and replace them.

Greg Motley said the main issue is the loss of flexibility in finances for the county. The lease costs more than purchasing outright, assuming that the prices are the same, but the county would pay for the use of the money.

Commissioner David Beerbower said that there’s danger to the fleet and the sheriff’s department’s ability to do its job when the can gets kicked down the road because of “lean years.” Historically, that’s what has been happening in Bourbon County, and it needs to stop.

“And virtually every year’s a lean year in Bourbon County,” said Motley.

Motley recommended a toe-dip with the relationship with Enterprise.

Commissioner Samuel Tran said he is good with starting the relationship with Enterprise. “The issue is not whether or not they need to buy the car or lease the car. The issue here for me is how do you keep cost creep from gaining,” he said. Costs are going to go up, regardless of how the county gets the vehicles.

Milburn said it would take 2 mills of ad valorem tax to cover the cost, according to her math.

Murphy expressed regret that past commissions made the decisions that have placed the current commission in the position to have to fix the current fleet issues.

County Counselor Bob Johnson asked, “If they don’t approve this, how many vehicles do you have to buy?”

Murphy said they have six that need immediate replacement.

Beerbower moved to sign the Master Equity Lease Agreement. Tran seconded. Motion carried with Milburn voting against.

Law Enforcement Resolution – Inmate Housing Fund

The resolution proposed previously by the sheriff’s department was to split the income from housing out-of-county inmates with the county, 60/40.

Tran said he wanted in a sub-account within the general fund and earmark it for a contingency.

Beerbower asked that they use it for an equipment reserve fund.

Milburn asked commission to consider a resolution stating that the fund stays with the sheriff’s department to be used for big ticket items, but not on regular expenses “until we see that’s it’s stable,” over the next three years. She then wants to use the portion of the fund that is deemed sustainable to offset the taxpayers burden.

Beerbower approved of the 60/40 split, keeping the funds in a special fund to offset unexpected expenses. “This is money above and beyond anything that we get in: taxes or any other fund that we get, and it gives us a little wiggle room” that the county doesn’t have right now, he said.

Tran agreed with Beerbower, but expressed concern about micromanaging the Sheriff.

Martin expressed his intention to be transparent with the commission regarding how he spends his department’s 60% of the Inmate Housing funds.

After much further discussion, Beerbower called for a motion. He then made the motion to adopt the 60/40 split. No second.

Milburn motioned to adopt the resolution written by Johnson without the split. No second.

Tran said he doesn’t like micromanaging people, but he likes order. He motioned to adopt the resolution written by Walker, also without the 60/40 split, and citing the statutes that govern the use of the funds. Milburn seconded. Motion carried, Beerbower voting against.

Tran followed the vote by saying he is willing to change the resolution if the one they just passed doesn’t work.

KDEM (FEMA required documentation)
o Subrecipient Audit Requirements
o Title VI Civil Rights Form
o Title VI Civil Rights Policy Plan
o Notice of Nondiscrimination
o Title VI Complaint Form

Milburn wanted to ask the county HR department to handle complaints, after which time, Beerbower will come in to sign the documents, which will then allow the FEMA funds to be released to the county. Commission approved

New Business
Fence Viewing Application David Bailey & Payton Farr

Set for Nov. 8, assuming it works with the schedule of the parties involved.

Department Updates

County Clerk – Election Schedule

Early voting starts October 20. Walker asked for permission from the commission to do the setup necessary in the courthouse and commission room, as well as for the setup of the polling places.

Voting at the courthouse runs from 8:30-4:30, Oct. 20-24 & 27-31; 8AM-Noon, Oct. 25 and Nov. 1, and 8:30-Noon, Nov. 3. On Election Day, voters will vote at their polling places.

Commission Comments

Milburn addressed concerns expressed by citizens regarding a recent special executive session held by the commission. While distrust of government is often well-earned, that is not the case with the county commission. She said they are as transparent as they are legally permitted to be.

“Bourbon County is currently involved in several lawsuits,” she said, and full disclosure could put the county at legal financial risk.