BY ALLYSON DIX
For GlasgowNews1
The Barren County Fiscal Court met Tuesday morning to tackle several business items on the agenda. (The court also held a discussion about data center regulations.)
Not originally listed on the agenda was the approval of a resolution to apply for the 2026 USDA Rural Business Development Grant. Funds, if awarded, will be used for the site development of the planned grain elevator in Barren County. Matt Pedigo with the Barren River Area Development District is processing the grant application, which is due by the end of June.
While most committee meetings were cancelled this month, the transportation committee met this morning to initiate discussion of potential funding for low-water ford replacement on Glover Road, but no action was taken.
Magistrate Tim Coomer, who chairs the transportation committee, reported that bids were open for the road department’s fuel for next year. Two bids were received, with one being from Thomas Oil and the other from Tri County Oil.
Coomer said Thomas Oil was selected in the committee before gaining unanimous support in the full court.
An inquiry for these bid amounts has not been received from the county fiscal court clerk and an update will be provided, if received.
Magistrates also unanimously approved several board and council appointments. Amy Shipley was a new appointment on the Library Board for a three-year term; Kristen Haynes and Matthew Compton were re-appointed to the Glasgow-Barren County Tourist Convention Commission for a two-year term; Jeff Martin was reappointed to the BRADD Aging Council and the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (two-year terms); and Bethany Steenberg was selected for a one-year appointment to the county’s new opioid committee.
A lease renewal for Austin Boat Ramp at Barren River Lake was approved, which according to Solid Waste Coordinator Marcus Thurman, will allow the county to maintain the ramp, parking lot, and the grounds in that area. The lease is with the Corps of Engineers.
Magistrates also unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance amending the county’s administrative code. After the meeting, Deputy Judge/Executive Garland Gilliam explained some of the changes to the admin code, sometimes referred to as the personnel manual.
Gilliam said those changes include cleaning up some of the language related to holiday pay, changing the definition of full-time “hours” to full-time “employee,” and clarifying language around when part-time employees may have to pay into their retirement.
Magistrates can call for a review of the admin code anytime they want, but each year the judge-executive reviews it before the end of the fiscal year for potential updates, Gilliam said.
Several invoices were unanimously approved by the court:
– $12,008 to Software Management for the county clerk’s office
– $39,673 to Harp Enterprises for voting equipment;
– $14,800 to Cloudpermit for building and code enforcement software;
– $15,000 to Carr Riggs & Ingram for the county’s 2025 audit;
– $24,853 to Barren River Area Development District for the county’s annual contribution;
– $35,132 to Glasgow Water Company for water improvements and installing access on Denton Road;
– $27,202 to Greyrock Excavation as the last payment for the sidewalk work around the courthouse and will be reimbursed by the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC)
Barren County Coroner Tim Gibson told the fiscal court that a local
death occurred due to a malfunctioning HVAC system that caused
hyperthermia. (Photo by Allyson Dix for GlasgowNews1
Barren County Coroner Tim Gibson reported to the court that 11 death investigations occurred in May with one suicide and one overdose. Gibson also reported seven deaths for the month of June with one being an death caused by hyperthermia, an elevated body temperature.
The hyperthermia death, Gibson said, is the third one in four years due to the malfunction of an HVAC system where the heat turns on and fails to shut off, heating the home to around 130 degrees.
Parks and Rec Director Chris Jennings reported $863 raised by partnering with Bowling Green Hot Rods on May 24, which was the official Barren County Parks and Recognition game. The monies raised came from ticket sales purchased by the county’s ticket link. A check is to be issued at the end of the Hot Rods’ season this September.
Jennings also announced that Barren County is hosting Western Kentucky Cal Ripken 8U coach pitch tournament at Jackie Browning Park. The tournament will be held June 23-26.
On July 12, Barren County is hosting the Battle of the Barrens Special Olympics Softball tournament at Jackie Browning Park. Jennings, who helped raise $3,800 in funds for the Barren County Flames’ uniforms, encourages everyone to come out and support the games.
“We’re looking for a big turnout,” Jennings said. “Fifteen teams are coming in throughout the state in this tournament.”
Gracie Logsdon enjoys a fresh cup of milk from Kinslow Dairy during a
June Dairy Month proclamation signing. (Photo by Allyson Dix for GlasgowNews1)
After the meeting, Byrd signed a proclamation recognizing Barren County as Kentucky’s leading dairy producer. Joining her and the magistrates were Kelsey Kinslow, Lindsie Logsdon, and Gracie Logsdon with Kinslow Dairy.
A special-called fiscal court meeting is expected to be held on June 26 following the cancellation of a special-called meeting on June 18.
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