Pike County Quorum Court Discusses Finances, Road Issues at monthly Meeting
The Pike County Quorum Court recently held their regular monthly meeting, with several important topics addressed. Treasurer Loletia Rather presented the January financial report, which showed a decrease in the County General, County Road, and Landfill funds. The County General had a beginning balance of $2,013,802.75 and ended the month with $1,708,473.96. The County Road fund began with $753,692.44 and ended at $676,925.26, while the Landfill fund dropped from $928,771.12 to $646,645.61. Justice Lamb made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report, which was seconded by Justice Kip Holbrook. The motion passed unanimously with a 7-0 vote.
Clerk Randee Edwards presented Appropriation Ordinance 2025-3, which amends the 2025 budget. After some discussion, Justice Johnny Plyler made a motion to approve the ordinance, which was seconded by Justice Robbie Crocker. The motion passed with a 6-1 vote, with Justice Lamb voting against it.
Judge Eddie Howard announced that the ordinance concerning right-of-ways and easements would be tabled until the next meeting. The discussion then turned to the reopening of Barnett Road in the Delight area, a decision that had raised concerns among citizens. Justice Crocker shared that several people had called, questioning the use of tax dollars to maintain a road that seemed uninhabited. Judge Howard explained that there was no documentation as to why the road had been closed and that the Delight Fire Department and Pafford Ambulance Service had requested the reopening to provide quicker access to the Billstown area.
Representatives from both emergency services attended the meeting, sharing their concerns about delayed response times due to GPS directing them down the closed road. Judge Howard, after inspecting the road, stated that it would take minimal work to reopen the 2.9-mile stretch. However, Justice Leotis Snowden, a retired grader operator, voiced strong objections, citing the road’s closure since the 1980s and the ongoing challenges in maintaining other county roads. After a lengthy discussion, Judge Howard confirmed that Barnett Road would be reopened and maintained by the county.
