Webster County Fiscal Court members held a quick, regular session Monday morning in the courthouse highlighted by the passing of the 2009-10 budget.

The $16,370,277 budget, passed with a 3-0 vote, is down approximately $1 million from last year. It was noted that the Webster County budget had been submitted to the Department of Local Government and had been approved by the agency.

Court members also heard a brief report from Wade Clements of the Kentucky State Highway Department with a short report of Webster’s upcoming paving plan in the Rural Secondary Road Program.

“It’s not nearly enough but I know you can’t help that,” Webster County Judge Executive Jim Townsend joked before Clements began.

Clements presented three recommendations totaling $430,000 and approximately 6-6.5 miles of resurfacing.

Those included:

• KY 2837 (M.P. 1.400 to KY 270— 2.671 miles)

• KY 2839 (KY 132 to KY 873—2.587 miles)

• KY 143 (Granny Hill Road to KY 109—1.026)

“With rising cost of materials, we’re certainly not getting as much mile to the dollar as we used to,” Clements stated.

Judge Townsend emphasized that the court could accept the state’s recommendation or substitute other roads on the list.

Magistrates voted 3-0 to accept the state list but Magistrate Tony Felker noted that Hwy. 1525 (from Diamond to Hwy. 120) was in dire need of resurfacing.

“In another year it will certainly be worse. It definitely should be on the list for next year,” Felker stated.

He also asked Clements for some help with potholes on Hwy. 120 near the Crittenden County line as well replacement of a guardrail that had been damaged near that area.

Discussion was held about extremely rough railroad tracks throughout the county.

“Railroad tracks are killing us. Can you help us,” stated Judge Townsend.

Clements replied.

“We (state department) don’t have much luck with railroad companies. I don’t think anybody does. I’m not sure we’ve ever won a battle with them,” Clements stated.

In a related discussion, Townsend noted that the county would be getting its first shipment of the high-tech road resurfacing substance from PolyCon, Inc. The county agreed to purchase $250,000 of the concrete-type material that carries a 20-year guarantee. Projects should begin in mid-July.

Judge Townsend gave a report on the Blackford Bridge which could turn out to be good news. He read a letter from the TetraTech, Inc., an engineering firm in Louisville.

The letter state that the firm would redesign the bridge deck and railings and also assign a person to the project to help secure federal funds for the added cost of the updates.

“I think we should agree to this (proposal) because it absolutely needs to be redesigned,” Judge Townsend stated.

It was noted that the original project manager changed firms in the middle of the construction and some design changes were made without the knowledge of TetraTech. The engineering firm also changed hands during the building process. The bridge was funded by federal grants which have been depleted.

Magistrate Chad Townsend asked about the certainty of obtaining additional federal funds for the project.

“They’re (TetraTech) not sure at all about getting funds but they’re going to try and we’re going to try as well,” Judge Townsend replied. “If this doesn’t work (obtaining federal funds) then we may have to take further steps.”

In personnel matters, magistrates voted to hire B. J. Riden as a part-time employee at the Webster County Detention Center and also agreed to a pay raise for Ashley Walker in the 911 Dispatch Center from $8.50 to $9 per hour. Walker has just recently received her 911 Emergency recertification.

Magistrates offered several road requests to county highway officials. Pete O’Nan noted some work on Old Steamport Road while Magistrate Townsend asked for repairs on Monroe-Gibson Road and Old Cedar Grove Road.

In final business, Judge Townsend read a resolution dealing with possible funding for coal miner training in the western Kentucky area. The multi-county project would include Webster, Muhlenberg, Ohio and Hopkins counties and would take advantage of $264,000 in Local Government Economic Development Funds.

“This is a bigger block of coal severance money, not our local money,” explained Judge Townsend. “Muhlenberg County has already completed one of these grants and based upon their experience, they will take the lead as far as handling all the paperwork and filing of all the grant applications.”

If the grant is secured, the training would take place at Madisonville Community College for residents living in any of the four counties.

Webster Fiscal Court will hold its next meeting Monday, June 29 at 9 a.m. at the courthouse.