$682,037 a year until 2038

BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — Martin County Fiscal Court will use $682,037 in single county coal severance funds toward the debt on the Martin County Government Center.

The court passed a resolution Thursday authorizing Judge/Executive Colby Kirk to file the grant application with the Kentucky Department for Local Government.

The county’s monthly payment is around $57,810 on the $10 million loan that the county financed in 2013 through the Kentucky Association of Counties Finance Corporation to build the Martin County Government Center. The county agreed at that time to use single county coal severance funds to pay the loan. The loan agreement states if the county cannot retire the lease exclusively with coal severance funds, it may be required to set up an additional tax to ensure payment.

The current $57,810 monthly payment consists of $29,826 toward the principal and $27,984 toward interest.

Kirk said the net amount outstanding is $10,799.659.

“The way it is now, the payment should stay the same,” said Kirk. “The amount we pay off on principal will increase as the amount of interest decreases.”

The judge has discussed with KACo the possibility of refinancing.

“As interest rates are increasing, it may not be the best plan for us,” he said. “We will continue to look at it and see if there are opportunities to save money.”

The payoff date is Dec. 20, 2038. 

Caney campground

The fiscal court accepted a proposal from Appalachian Renewal Project to develop and operate the campground at the former Caney mine shaft site for four years.

“The court will receive 2.5 percent of gross receipts generated from the rentals after the recovery of Appalachian Renewal Project’s incurred development costs,” Kirk told court members. “So it would be my recommendation that we move forward with this operating agreement.”

Magistrate Roger Preece said the project would be “good” for Martin County.

Kirk agreed, saying the standards attached to the contract “are the same standards that they hold national parks to.”

“I’m hoping it will be a nice partnership for all of us,” said Kirk.

Asphalt patching

The fiscal court approved a contract with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for $174,986 in flex funds for asphalt patching on various roads.

“At this time, we have only received back the contract for signing related to the flex funds that we’ve requested for payment this year,” said Kirk. “We still have those outstanding requests for discretionary paving.”

Kirk expects the state to send the remaining road aid paperwork by August.

Roads included on the patching list are Big Peter Cave (of 1714), Blackberry Road, Brandon Place, Cake Lane, Caney Fork, Cassius Moore, Dans Branch, Dry Fork, Fluty Lick, Helen Mills, Hinkle Loop, Jeff Jude, Lackey Branch, Lewis Preston, Lick Branch, Little Laurel Creek, Little Laurel Lane, Lower Carter Branch, Milo Subdivision, Mudford Road, Murphys Lane, Oakie Drive Spur, Peter Cave (Route 3), Poplar Fork, Preston Branch, Rocky Branch, Upper Carter Branch, Upper Wolf Branch and Wilderness Lane.

Veterans memorial highways

The fiscal court approved resolutions requesting the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet designate two roadways in honor of veterans of Vietnam and World War II. KY 3413 between mile point zero and 1.6, from the KY 292 intersection to the Martin and Lawrence county line, will be named “Pfc. Larry Gene Ratliff Memorial Highway Vietnam War Veteran.” KY 908 between mile point 0.7 and 0.9 near Mollette Branch will be designated “Preece Brothers Memorial Highway World War II Veterans.”

Pfc. Ratliff

Marine Corps Pfc. Larry Gene Ratliff, born Sept. 9, 1948, in Louisa, grew up in the community near Fluty Lick, where KY 3413 is the main thruway. His tour of duty began Oct. 14, 1968, as a Rifleman attached to 1st Marine Division, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, K Company.

During his service in the Vietnam War, Pfc. Ratliff experienced hostile action that ultimately cost his life Dec. 7, 1968, in South Vietnam, Quang Nam province.

Pfc. Ratliff’s military commendations include the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Marksmanship Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, and Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal.

He is honored on the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial in Washington, D.C., his name inscribed at VVM Wall, Panel 37w, Line 59.

Preece brothers

Timoth William Preece was born April 6, 1914, Lorenz Babe Preece was born Nov. 28, 1919, and Harrison H. Preece was born Feb. 2, 1922, in Inez to Ben and Victoria Jones Preece. The brothers grew up on a farm adjacent to KY 908 and Coldwater Creek.

Timoth, Lorenz and Harrison Preece have a combined military service time of seven years and four months during European and Pacific theaters of World War II. They received numerous awards, including the World War II Victory Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Bronze Star for Valor.

The Preece brothers were honorably discharged from their respective branches of service.

Judge Kirk said he would like the court to honor veterans yearly.

Other action

In other action, the court:

• Accepted the Martin County Extension District’s budget.

• Approved advertising for bids for HVAC system replacement in the Martin County Judicial Center.

Kirk noted that the HVAC had been an ongoing issue that has forced Circuit Clerk Denise Gauze to close her office frequently this summer.

“She’s had signs up where it’s just so hot in there they can’t do business,” said Kirk.

The Administrative Office of the Courts approved installing a new HVAC system and will reimburse the county.

“The contractors we’ve talked to are telling us it’s looking like a nine-month lead time on getting a new system in,” added Kirk.

• Approved a Martin County Rescue Squad statement of affiliation.

“This is something that we have to reauthorize every year, saying that we are affiliated with the Martin County Rescue Squad,” Kirk explained.

• Approved an ordinance amending the floodplain ordinance requiring a floodplain permit to repair, renovate, develop, improve or construct, including filling and excavating, in floodplains.

• Reappointed Linda Lou Webb and Brenda Davis to the Martin County Tourism Board for four-year terms.

• Hired Leann Endicott as the Martin County Judge’s office administrative assistant.

• Hired Nick Endicott as Martin County 911 director.

Magistrate Junior Hunt asked why the court couldn’t give one of the current 911 employees the opportunity.

“Well, I did interview three candidates for it, and at the end of the day, I feel the direction we need to move in is to find someone who can help us maintain the communications infrastructure in addition to monitoring the dispatch,” said Kirk.

• Approved the treasurer’s settlement for fiscal year 2022 and other financials.