Fiscal Court March 11

Item 111.A & V.A – Zoning Map Amendment for 5856 Burlington Pike (1st Reading)
The applicant intends to add a second home on 32.2 acres for daughter. The land is no longer classified as industrial since mining operations have ceased. No objections were raised. 2nd Reading: March 25, 2025.

Item IV.A & B – Seasonal Staff for Boone County Golf Courses & Parks
Approved hiring one seasonal employee, with no benefits, for each golf course.

Item VI.A – Boone County Historic Preservation Review Board Appointment
Congratulations to Megan Martin.

Item VI.B – Walton Fire Protection District Board of Trustees Appointment
Congratulations to Peggy Montgomery.

Item VII.A – Additional Funding for Social Service Agencies
Increased demand exceeded the initial budget, leading to an overspend in December. The agencies will monitor and evaluate their budgets for next year. Approved a 20% increase in funding coming from the agencies’ reserve account as a line-item transfer (maximum allowance 20%).

Item VII.B – Surplus County Vehicles
Approved retiring several unused county vehicles and listing them for surplus sale on GovDeals.

Item VII.C & D – Hazardous Waste Collection
Bids to dispose of hazardous waste and electronics reviewed for a November 1 event date. The two winning companies will handle the collection, transport, recycling, and disposal of materials for Boone as well as Kenton and Campbell counties. Funding is provided 100% by grants. Approved companies are Hazardous Waste Collection Services and Tri-State Escrap Inc.

Item VII.E – Golf Course Equipment Purchase
Funded through golf course revenue, not county general funds. Approved $66,500 purchase of Toro 4500D Rough Mower from Century Equipment

Item VII.F – Amphitheater Demolition Contract Update
Battle Axe Construction, originally contracted, has been unresponsive due to bankruptcy. New contracts are higher. Approved new contract to O’Rourke Wrecking Company for additional $33,800.

Item VII.G – Public Safety Communication Center Design Contract Amendment
Additional mechanical and civil work not included in the initial requirements as requested by the Fiscal Court. Approved additional contract amendment of $72,556 added to original $490,000 design contract.

Item VII.H – Port-A-Let Contract Renewal for Parks and Golf Courses
Ohio contractor offered best pricing vs Kentucky bids. Approved Pro Kleen Industrial Services, Inc.

Item VII.I – Fireworks for 20-minute show during Boone County Celebration at the fairgrounds June 14, 2025. Approved Yokum Fireworks of Cincinnati for $17,500.

Item VII.J – County Mowing Services
Fiscal Court approved contracts with multiple vendors for mowing services across Boone County for the Public Works and Parks Departments.

Item VII.K – Affiliation agreement for trench rescues, locating missing persons, etc. Approved an affiliation agreement with the Northern Kentucky Technical Rescue Team.

OLD BUSINESS

Update on PSCC Telecommunications Staffing
The primary issue is not Fiscal Court approval but the limited capacity to train dispatchers at one time.  Due to delays in training, qualified candidates are finding other employment opportunities before they can start.

• Proposed Solution: During the waiting period, candidates would begin field training with animal control, fire services, and police services, hiring 5-7 candidates at a time and rotating them through these departments. Training will be conducted one-on-one to ensure hands-on experience.
• Benefits: No budget impact; new hires exposed to all departments; enhances communication and coordination between dispatchers and first responders; offers real-life application of dispatcher responsibilities; helps with retention by keeping candidates engaged; addresses vacant dispatcher positions by allowing new hires to start immediately.
• Next Steps: Evaluate in six months to assess program effectiveness, including a review of pros and cons from post-training survey.

NEW BUSINESS

Public Safety on Orleans Blvd: Several residents spoke about severe speeding issues in their subdivision. Residents have worked with the Chief of the City of Florence, but no resolution has been reached. Vehicles run school bus stop signs and street stop signs, so children crossing in front of school buses are at risk due to drivers not stopping. Many parents drive their children to school because it is too dangerous to cross the street. Average speed is 10-12 mph over the limit. Homeowners cannot safely walk to subdivision amenities. Residents struggle to exit their driveways due to heavy traffic. Cars frequently damage mailboxes and even crashed into the neighborhood fountain, causing HOA repair costs. Estimated 3,000 cars per day pass through the area, which serves three schools. Upcoming construction of 350 new homes will further increase traffic congestion. Traffic congestion is delaying fire and sheriff response times to emergencies. Property values are declining due to worsening traffic conditions.

Next Steps on Orleans Blvd. Public Safety

• Traffic Safety Committee, Florence Traffic Department, and the Sheriff’s Office will collaborate on a plan.
• Include in the County Transportation Plan by attending the Transportation Event, April 22, 2025, 5–8 p.m. at the Extension Center.

Current Dog License Elimination: Licensing applies only to dogs; annual fee is $15. Governed by Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS) Chapter 258, specifically sections 258.135 and 258.145, which allow counties and cities to establish dog licensing programs. Commissioner Hand raised this issue, noting many residents are unaware of the licensing fee, and proposed eliminating the fee since it is optional under state law. The fee generates approximately $19,000 per year in revenue. Under Kentucky law, dogs are considered property. Does this fee discourage adoptions from the animal shelter?

Next Steps on Dog License Elimination: The court requested a report on the benefits and drawbacks of the ordinance before making a decision.