Water District to Receive Significant Financial Backing
On March 7, 2024, the local Clark County Fiscal Court in Kentucky agreed to provide financial assistance to the East Clark County Water District for a critical infrastructure project. The water district will receive $258,000 from the county’s remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to facilitate the rehabilitation of the Muddy Creek Pump Station.
Insights from the Fiscal Court Meeting
The decision came following a meeting of the Fiscal Court held on Leap Day – a date that only appears once every four years. Despite the unusual timing, the Clark County Fiscal Court operated as usual, discussing a range of community concerns including how best to support the East Clark County Water District’s rehabilitation project.
Overview of the Rehabilitation Project
William Ballard, general manager of East Clark County Water District, provided insight into the need for the Muddy Creek Pump Station rehabilitation. Ballard emphasized that the station’s equipment was beyond its 20-year-life-expectancy, and replacements were overdue to avoid future maintenance issues. “We’re trying to be proactive and replace this pump station. We’ve got two more pump stations that are in line not in the next couple of years but in about ten years,” he added.
Ballard admitted that although the project had been budgeted for before COVID-19 struck, the pandemic’s financial pressures heightened the necessity for additional fiscal support to enable the scheduled rehabilitation work to proceed as planned.
Differing Opinions Emerge
Despite unanimous agreement on the project’s necessity, the court’s members were divided on the method of funding it. Magistrates Ernest Pasley and Chris Davis supported the proposal to allocate the remaining ARPA funds. In contrast, Magistrate Robert Blanton raised concerns regarding federal procurement guidelines and voted no to the funding method, indicating that he wanted a better process for using ARPA funds.
Clark County Clerk Election Equipment Grant
Alongside the discussion on water district funding, the Fiscal Court also approved a resolution for the Clark County Clerk (HB1) Election Equipment Grant. This grant is designed to provide funds up to $185,000 to offset the cost of critical election equipment such as voting machines. Clark County Clerk Michelle Turner expressed optimism about reclaiming the approximately $169,000 recently spent on such equipment. The motion to proceed with the grant resolution received unanimous approval from the court members.
