Fiscal Court Approves Grant for Vastwood Park Safety Upgrades

By Jennifer Wimmer

The Hancock County Fiscal Court met on Monday morning, February 10th. The members approved a grant application process last year for a Kentucky Waste Tire Crumb Rubber/Tire-Derived Products Grant, which has now been awarded.

The court’s request in 2024 for the Kentucky Energy & Environment Cabinet Division of Waste Management to provide assistance under this grant, was for the purpose of increased safety at Vastwood Park. The grant funding has helped to fund the purchase of recycled rubber parking blocks recently installed at the park, which are made of one hundred percent compounded recycled rubber from waste tires.

The KY Division of Waste Management has provided estimates revealing that KY generates approximately 4 million waste tires per year. The Hancock County partnership with GRADD helps with this grant process, and the grant provides financial assistance to projects that are participating in beneficial end-use of recycled tires. Participation increases the market for waste tires generated in KY, and encourages better waste tire management in communities across the Commonwealth.
Resolution 2025-01

The court approved the lease through the Kentucky Association of Counties (KACo) for a tri-axle dump truck, which is done each year. The resolution is passed along with the lease in order to have permission to participate in that program.

So that there are two crews on staff at all times, an ambulance crew stays at the Lewisport Volunteer Fire Department station in the living quarters. The partnership was started in approximately 2009, and the contract with the City of Lewisport is renewed every year. The court approved those sharing of costs in utilities with the City of Lewisport for that building.

Elected officials in the county can choose to take additional training and receive continuing education credits for those. Once they’ve accumulated those hours, the court approves a monetary incentive, and those allotments were approved at this meeting.

The HC Fiscal Court day meeting for the month of March has been rescheduled for Friday, March 7th, at 9:00 a.m.

Last week, Audubon Area Community Services (AACS) held a community forum in Hancock County, and Judge-Executive Johnny “Chic” Roberts read a proclamation as part of the celebration of the 50 years this organization has served the communities in our region.

Proclamation of AACS Day (February 4th): “The AACS has served our community for 50 years providing essential resources, programs and support to individuals and families in need. And whereas, founded in 1975, AACS has grown into a cornerstone organization in the region demonstrating unwavering commitment to enhancing the well-being and quality of life for thousands of people in the Audubon area and beyond. And whereas throughout the five decades of service, AACS has worked tirelessly to combat poverty, promote education, foster economic independence, and ensure vulnerable populations, including children, seniors, and those facing hardships, have access to vital services. And whereas partnerships with local government, businesses, nonprofits, and volunteers, AACS has touched the lives of countless individuals and families, empowering them to achieve self-sufficiency and dignity. And whereas the organization’s work has been guided by the values, compassion, respect, and service, making a lasting impact on the lives of the clients in the broader community. Now I therefore do hereby proclaim February 4th, 2025 as Audubon Area Services Community Services Day in recognition of this organization’s remarkable 50 years of service to our community, and I urge all residents to join and celebrate this milestone and to support its mission for continued success. We express our deepest gratitude to the staff, volunteers, and donors who’ve made AACS work possible. We look forward to the next 50 years of positive change and support for our neighbors in need. Thank you all.”