Pike County Quorum Court Holds Regular Monthly Meeting
The Pike County Quorum Court convened for their regular monthly meeting on Monday night, March 17, 2025, at the Pike County Courthouse. All Justices except for Justice Kip Holbrook, who was absent, and Justice Jerry Fendley, who arrived later, were present for the session.
The meeting began with Treasurer Loletia Rather presenting the financial report for February. The County General Fund had a beginning balance of $1,708,473.96 and an ending balance of $1,706,261.29. The County Road Fund started with $676,925.26 and ended at $632,758.04, while the Landfill Fund saw a decrease from $646,645.61 to $441,585.75. After reviewing the report, Justice Lamb made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s report, which was seconded by Justice Paul Baker. The motion passed with a 7-0 vote.
Rather also shared a letter from Wilf & Henderson, CPA, confirming that the county was in compliance with federal ARPA fund guidelines with no findings from the audit.
Clerk Randee Edwards then read Ordinance 2025-4, which aimed to amend the 2025 budget. A proposal for a $45,000 line-item transfer to purchase a 2014 Hamm HI1IX Roller sparked some debate. Pike County Judge Eddie Howard explained that the additional roller was necessary for large asphalt projects, noting that the current roller was in daily use and renting another would cost around $5,000 weekly. However, after some discussion, including questions raised by Justice Richard Mohlenhoff, the motion to approve the appropriation ordinance with the $45,000 transfer failed in a 5-3 vote. Justices Seth Kirkham, Leotis Snowden, and Mohlenhoff voted against the transfer.
A motion to approve the ordinance without the $45,000 transfer was made by Justice Fendley and seconded by Justice Johnny Plyler. This motion passed unanimously with an 8-0 vote.
Judge Howard also introduced a new ordinance titled “An Ordinance for the Protection of the Traveling Public, Condition and Maintenance of the County-Maintained Public Roads.” Justice Lamb sponsored the ordinance for its first reading, but it sparked significant debate. Concerns were raised about the exclusion of existing fences, the steep fine for violations, and whether the ordinance was truly necessary. Some justices, including Justice Baker, argued that the county could enact eminent domain without the ordinance. Justice Plyler expressed support for the ordinance but disagreed with the high fine.
Judge Howard then encouraged each justice to review the proposal and bring suggestions to the next Quorum Court meeting to refine it for Pike County’s needs.
The meeting concluded with continued discussions on various local matters, with the next scheduled Quorum Court meeting set for next month.
