PIKE COUNTY QUORUM COURT ADDRESSES FLOOD DAMAGE, STAFFING CHANGES, AND COMMUNITY GRANTS
The Pike County Quorum Court met Monday night. County Judge Eddie Howard called the meeting to order with all justices present, including Justice Jerry Fendley who arrived following roll call.
One of the first topics discussed was an inquiry from Justice Robbie Crocker regarding the demolition of log buildings near the city park tennis courts. With tennis season approaching, Crocker urged Judge Howard to address the matter promptly to avoid safety concerns. Judge Howard explained the delay was due to road crews being tied up with ongoing flood repairs.
Judge Howard provided a comprehensive update on flood recovery efforts, reporting that repairs on Channing, East Farm, Shawmutt, and John Hale roads have been completed, costing over $177,000 in labor, equipment, and materials. He also announced that FEMA had approved the Wolf Creek Bridge project on Strawberry Road, which is estimated at $435,000 with a 90% reimbursement expected, though final documentation is still pending. When asked by Justice Leotis Snowden, Howard confirmed that Delight Cemetery Road remains impassable.
In other business, Judge Howard requested the court’s approval to hire Karen Barlow as the grant administrator for a $200,000 Historic Preservation Grant designated for plumbing upgrades and new windows at the courthouse. The position will pay $4,500. The motion passed unanimously, 9-0.
The court also addressed staffing changes in the road and landfill departments. Judge Howard proposed eliminating the landfill foreman role and restructuring leadership by making the current road foreman a supervisor over both departments. A new road foreman position will also be created. After extensive discussion, the court approved a motion to split the supervisor’s salary evenly between the road and landfill budgets and to allow leftover funds from the demoted landfill foreman role to be distributed among road foremen at the judge’s discretion. The measure passed in a 6-3 vote, with Justices Lamb, Kirkham, and Snowden voting against.
Following that, Clerk Edwards read Appropriation Ordinance 2025-11, which amends the 2025 budget to reflect the staffing changes. The ordinance was unanimously approved.
Finally, the court approved Resolution 2025-2, authorizing the county judge to apply for a grant in support of the Meals on Wheels program. The grant includes a 20% local match over two years, totaling a $180,000 investment. The resolution passed 9-0.