Christian Fiscal Court heard numerous updates at Tuesday’s meeting, including from the Christian County Jailer and Hopkinsville Solid Waste.
It was a busy meeting, starting with a presentation from Sanctuary, Inc. about the hopes for their new location in Christian County and what that facility and program might look like in the future. But then attention turned to Hopkinsville Solid Waste, as General Manager Bryan Silver took the chance to talk about recent fires at the HSW landfill in the northern parts of the county.
Silver—who has been the General Manager for about two years now—says fires at the landfill are unwelcome to everyone involved, including first responders, neighboring homes and the staff at the landfill. While the most recent fire, that spewed black smoke across the county skyline, was likely caused by tires dropped off there that became overheated in the sun, Silver says the top cause for fires at the landfill are disposed of lithium batteries.
Silver says safety remains a top priority at the landfill, not just for those working there, but folks living in the area. He says he wanted the chance to speak on those fires and what take places at the landfill, because he understands that people have rightfully be concerned.
Magistrates heard reports from both the Christian County Animal Shelter and the Christian County Jail, with shelter officials sharing that in the month of March, the regional shelter took in 261 animals and 164 pets were either adopted, rescued or reclaimed.
Jailer Adam Smith says the jail recently completed a Department of Corrections inspection that he says went well, and he says the jail has remained under budget, thanks to the efforts of his staff and the new contract to house federal inmates for Immigration Customs and Enforcement.
Magistrates approved a memorandum of understanding between the Christian County Jail and the Commonwealth of Kentucky to continue providing the Substance Abuse Program to those housed at the jail.
The historic Christian County Courthouse recently had to make an unexpected closure due to a piece of the roof collapsing, but Christian County Judge-Executive Jerry Gilliam says the building was inspected and found to be structurally sound, allowing them to reopen quickly.
In other action, magistrates approved an agreement with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to receives funds in the amount of $1.8 to help fund the Christian County Road Department, which reflects a decrease when compared to last year’s allocation, which was over $2 million.