BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — The Martin County Fiscal Court enlisted the services of Fahe, a nonprofit grant administrator, to handle Community Development Block Grant applications and other grant opportunities. The decision came during a meeting Thursday that included property transfers, leases and the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget.
Under the agreement with Fahe, a standard CDBG application will cost the county up to $10,000 and a CDBG/Disaster Recovery submission will cost $12,500. Fees for administering projects will vary by type: 10% of the total award for housing grants, 8% for infrastructure projects, and 5% for disaster recovery efforts. For example, a $1 million housing grant would carry a $100,000 administration fee.
Deputy Judge/Executive Carolea Mills noted that the county is eyeing a $1 million disaster recovery housing grant.
“Plus, we can apply for another CDBG grant for water projects,” she said.
Mills praised Fahe’s expertise and extensive network.
“They’ve been doing this for 50 years,” said Mills. “It’s a team of about 20, and they’re phenomenal. They also have a relationship with the Department for Local Government and are aware of what’s out there. They’re willing to help with anything we need.”
Mills also reminded the court that in February officials approved an application for a $75,000 grant from the Local Government Economic Development Fund (LGEDF), also known as the Single-County Coal Severance Fund. That funding, she said, will cover Fahe’s service fees.
Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty expressed confidence in the partnership.
“It’s my understanding that these people are some of the best,” Lafferty said, noting that Fahe will both write grant applications and advocate on the county’s behalf.
Downtown properties
Magistrates voted to transfer ownership of eight downtown Inez properties to the Martin County Economic Development Authority.
The county acquired seven of the properties last year for $550,000 using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money. Another property, the old Inez Deposit Bank building, came as a donation.
The properties include 7 E. Main, 21 E. Main, 27 E. Main, 43 E. Main, 43 E. Main, 51 E. Main, 63 E. Main, and 0 East Main.
“This is typically what we do with these properties,” Lafferty said. “We want to develop them, so we send them to our development people.”
Old courthouse lease
The Fiscal Court and the Martin County Tourism Commission have a new arrangement for the historic Martin County Courthouse, rescinding a previous operations agreement that gave the Tourism Commission complete control of the building.
Under a new deal, the Tourism Commission will lease the second floor and the small courtroom on the first floor to use as a wedding and events venue. The county will pay all utility bills, including sewer and garbage services. In return, Tourism will pay the county 20% of its revenues.
The county is renting out offices on the first floor and has approved leases with two tenants.
Martin County Solar Project will lease the old county attorney’s offices (Suits 4 and 5) for $1,000 per month.
Partners for Rural Impact, a nonprofit headquartered in Berea, will rent part of the old PVA office (Suits 2 and 3) for $750 per month.
Other business
The court approved a waste tire grant agreement with the Kentucky Division of Waste Management for $4,000 to collect and dispose of waste tires. Eric Phelps said the county has a box truck on-site at the Road & Bridge Department to allow waste tire drop-offs year-round.
Magistrates approved a budget amendment reflecting the receipt and appropriation of $1.3 million for water system generators.
The court also heard the first reading of the Fiscal Year 2026 budget totaling $11,342,557 and reviewed the salary schedule.
Additionally, magistrates hired Tony Preece as a part-time code enforcement officer and Barry Webb as a part-time litter abatement officer.
The court also voted to purchase a CAT 120 GC grader for $257,848 from Boyd CAT. The county chose 72-month financing at 5.49%, resulting in monthly payments of $4,219.
County facilities manager Eric Phelps said it could take up to eight months to receive the grader once Boyd CAT places the order.
The county received no bids on its old grader and will negotiate a private sale.
Magistrates approved hiring a manager and lifeguards for the county swimming pool. Lafferty said the Big Sandy Area Community Action Program will fund up to 15 lifeguards.
“We need to hire a manager, and then the manager will hire the lifeguards,” the judge said.
Magistrates welcomed a representative from the Kentucky Department of Highways, who outlined funding under the Rural Secondary program for the upcoming year. (See the related story in this edition of the newspaper.)