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Fiscal Court sets swimming hours at Vastwood Park

A pedestrian meeting greeted members of the Hancock County Fiscal Court Monday morning. Most items on the agenda consisted of routine housekeeping items the court needs to do each month to keep county government operating. The county did set swimming hours for Vastwood lake for this summer.

Swimming opens June 21 of this year. The first week the lake opens corresponds to Camp Vastwood, so fiscal court opened the lake for the campers and the public for that week. Fiscal court set the hours for 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday of that week, and from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 27. After the week of June 21, the lake’s normal hours of operation are Friday and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. The lake remains closed Monday through Thursday of each week. The lake closes for the year on August 8.

Fiscal court also received seven applications for lifeguards at the lake, and agreed to hire all seven applicants for those positions. Fiscal court members also agreed to have three lifeguards on duty at a time. The county needs to hire a supervisor for the lifeguards.

Fiscal court also agreed to an $8,000 down payment with Pyroshows for the 4th of July fireworks show.

The County ended the COVID-19 program where county employees were paid for time off if someone in their family contracted the virus and the employee needed a test.

Approved a grant resolution for the proposed splash park at Vastwood Park. The county needed to approve this resolution to be able to apply for the $250,000 grant for the water park.

Hancock County Industrial Foundation Director Mike Baker gave an update on the county’s economic health. He said the county’s unemployment rate checked in at 4.9-percent, with the labor force participation rate of 61-percent. He said the labor force participation rate was the second lowest rate in Western Kentucky.

Baker also said he and Hancock County Judge/Executive Johnny “Chic” Roberts attended a meeting with the president and vice-president of OCTC concerning the types of training programs needed to help attract businesses to the Lewisport Industrial park.

Hancock County Emergency Services Director Kyle Veach said the various emergency service agencies in the county plan to conduct several training exercises over the next few weeks. He said the dive team is going to practice diving in the dry hydrants in the county, and conduct needed service to the valves and other equipment on the dry hydrants. Veach also said EMS plans to add more landing zones for the air ambulance service for the county. Said looking to add sites in the southern part of the county.

Senior Services Director Lona Morton said she added five more people to the home meal service last week.

Judge Roberts read the Occupational Tax report for the month. The tax totaled $3,863,016.26, up from $3,031,634.47 last year.

Read the treasurer’s report for the month. The balance on hand was $5,733,639.73. The balance on hand this time last year totaled $4,784,343.14.

The ambulance service showed an outstanding balance of $114,213.

The Jailer’s Report showed collections of $2,620, with $1,713 of this amount being from jail fees.

By Ralph Dickerson

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