Fiscal Court approves gravel road rally

After receiving the official thumbs up from McCreary County Fiscal Court during the February 10, 2022 Fiscal Court meeting, the County can now move forward in claiming the honor of hosting Kentucky’s first gravel road rally this spring.

By Eugenia Jones

According to https://www.nasarallysport.com/main/what_is_a_rally, “Stage Rally consists of a series of timed races, called stages. A stage is anywhere from one to twenty five miles long. The roads are closed to the public, and each competitor starts one minute after the next. Thus the challenge is driving the road, not rubbing wheel to wheel with your competitors.” Rally car racing is typically a family oriented sport with spectator areas established at specific locations. Organizers expect there to be approximately thirty participants with each participant bringing 3-4 additional visitors to the event with them.  Traditionally, rally racing has significant economic impact for the host locations as the two day events bring large numbers of visitors needing food, lodging, fuel, and supplies from local auto part stores.  The event is scheduled for April 29-30.

In other business, Fiscal Court members heard from the Board of Directors of the McCreary County Farmers Market.  Speaking on behalf of the McCreary County Farmers Market, Larry King presented a proposal seeking to expand the local farmers market using grant funding from the County government under the American Rescue Plan Act.  McCreary County’s American Rescue Plan Act funding is anticipated to total approximately three million dollars.  The COVID-related funding originates from the federal government and must be used following specific guidelines.  Cost for the proposed expansion of the local farmers market totals approximately $325,000 and includes purchase of the old supermarket building across from the bank in downtown Whitley City with accompanying installation of a commercial kitchen.   Fiscal Court did not take action but agreed to study the proposal.

Additional business included in the meeting included the following:

• Closed the Marsh Creek Waterline Replacement Project (completed.)

• Received $94, 500 (90%) in excess fees from County Court Clerk’s Office.

• Approved purchase of new voting machines.

• Approved various hires/transfers of staff for Sheriff’s Department, 911, EMS, and Litter Abatement.

• Approved resurface project for Kings Valley Road.  (KY Department of Transportation will provide $118, 172.)

• Entered into a one year contract with Knox County Detention Center.

• Approved Chad Starrett to McCreary County Park Board.  (Replaces Linda Gilreath who resigned.)

• Approved Tim Freels to Airport Advisory Board.  (Replaces Eric Vanselow.)

• Heard department head updates including the following points of interest:

• County park took in a total of $1,355 in rentals last month.  911 answered 1,118 911 calls, and there were 128 EMS runs in January.  Tourism is partnering with local organizations to attend boat shows, etc to promote McCreary County Tourism.  Alcoholic Beverage Control collected $10,339.17 in December.  PRIDE clean up at Cumberland Falls will be at the end of April.  Free teleworks class and job fair upcoming-contact Nathan Nevels if interested.  

The McCreary County Fiscal Court meets monthly on the second Thursday at 6:00 p.m. at the Courthouse.