BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — The Martin County Fiscal Court convened for its monthly meeting Oct. 17, addressing key appointments, funding allocations for vital water infrastructure, and fire department projects.
During the session, magistrates approved Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty’s recommendation to appoint Colby Kirk of Inez to the Martin County Water Board. Kirk, the CEO of One East Kentucky and former Martin County Judge/Executive, fills the seat left vacant by Greg Crum, who resigned in September. This marks the third new member added to the water board within the past two months, following the September appointments of Vernon Robinson and Tom Thoma.
In further support of the water district, the court approved a $65,884 agreement with the Kentucky Department for Local Government, providing Hazard Mitigation Grant funds to purchase generators for the water district’s raw water intake pump and two Route 40 pumps. This funding will help to secure a stable water supply during power outages.
The court also allocated $26,509 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to the Inez Volunteer Fire Department to meet the local match requirements for two substantial grants. The first is a $203,539 FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant for new air packs. The second is a $67,000 USDA grant for a jet boat.
“They worked really hard to secure these grants,” said Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty. “We couldn’t make it in this county without our volunteer fire departments. They really need this.”
Magistrate Ronald Workman echoed this praise, adding, “I want to thank them because they come to Warfield all the time. I appreciate it.”
Additionally, the court finalized an $88,887 agreement with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Department for Rural and Municipal Road Aid. Each magistrate will have approximately $17,777 in flex road funds to support asphalt patching on approved roads in their districts.
In other business, the court accepted the county clerk’s quarterly report and approved outstanding vendor bills totaling $211,838.