County continues to lose money on Battlefield Golf Course

OBSERVER CORPS REPORT
AGENCY: Madison County Fiscal Court
DATE: August 11, 2009
REPORTER: Howard Bowden 
 
Convened 9:31 a.m. at Courthouse in Richmond.  All Present.
 
Minutes were approved.
 
Treasurer’s Report: The largest expenditure of funds in July went to paying workmen‘s comp and county employees’ insurance for the coming fiscal year. The County received 100% reimbursement for the Barnes Mill project; $162K from FEMA and State; and 100% of the ice storm debris removal has been paid.  
 
Order of Business:
 
1. Proclamation- MCHS Distinguished Student: A proclamation was read by Judge Clark honoring Jacob Welch, a student at Madison Central High School for his role as President of the Kentucky Junior Classical League and editor of the organization’s national publication.
 
2. Bluegrass Chemical Agent Pilot Plant Briefing- Craig Williams began by giving a brief history of the weapons demilitarization project from 1991 with the opposition to incineration and the Bluegrass depot being the last scheduled for disposal, through the adoption of the 2003 alternative of Super Critical Water Oxidation. He explained the vacillation in completion dates has been due to financial shortfalls and that the $400M/year necessary for the project was not approved till 2008. As of now the project should be completed by 2021, but may be 2015 based on 2010 funding. However, public law states that it must be completed no later than 2017. Disposal of the byproduct will be accomplished at the Depot and will generate 600 jobs, Williams said. As of now there are 400 workers employed on the project.  
 
3. Battlefield Golf Report - Golf pro Clay Hamrick reported the club now has 184 members. The Golf Club has not shown a profit since the County bought it, and this year according to the 2009-2010 budget it is projected to have estimated receipts of $475,000 and appropriations of $553,500—a shortfall of $78,500. (Editorial comment by LWV Observer Howard Bowden: Especially during these hard financial times it is hard to justify the taxpayers of the County subsidizing a voluntary, pleasurable, activity for 184 out of 81,000 citizens of the County.) 
 
4. 2009 Taxing District Rates: Madison County Health Department- $.05/$100; Madison County 2010 Motor Vehicle & Watercraft- $.10/$100; Madison County Library- $.035/$100.
 
Judge’s Report: A “Walk of Fame” with interpretive signs is scheduled to be constructed in front of the courthouse honoring Madison County historical figures. Also noted that in addition to the 600 acres that presently make up the Richmond Civil War Battlefield,  400 more acres will  eventually be added from the Depot.
Comments from Magistrates: Dr Tudor requested that the taxing districts report their justification for tax rates. Larry Combs thought the Library tax rate should be lower.  
 
Comments from Audience: None
 
Adjournment