The Hopkins County Fiscal Court has approved steps to keep the West Hopkins Community Safe Room project on track and moved ahead with funding for a new water line on Morton Lane.
Judge-Executive Jack Whitfield told magistrates the change order affects the West Hopkins Community Safe Room, which had previously been set to serve multiple purposes. To save money and keep the project moving, he said the plan is now to focus strictly on making it a safe room, which is the goal of the project.
click to download audioDuring the discussion, Whitfield responded to several questions from magistrates about the proposed change, beginning with Ward 5 Magistrate Billy Parrish.
click to download audioWard 6 Magistrate Charlie Beshears asked if adding features like an extra kitchen would be allowed by FEMA if the county footed the bill. Whitfield responded that while it is possible, the county would have to cover the additional costs, and it would delay construction of the safe rooms.
click to download audioWhen Ward 5 Magistrate Billy Parrish asked if there was a start date for construction of the safe rooms, Whitfield explained the project is still awaiting FEMA approval.
click to download audioFollowing further discussion, magistrates gave unanimous approval to the change order.
In other business, magistrates approved opening a new checking account to manage an Abandoned Minelands Grant, which will fund a water line installation on Morton Lane.
click to download audioMagistrates also authorized Judge Whitfield to sign an opioid settlement involving six remaining defendants, following County Attorney Lee Riddle’s recommendation that there was no reason to object.
Fiscal Court also heard a request from United Way of the Coalfield Executive Director Ashley Alexander for the nonprofit to utilize space in the Government Center. More details on this discussion will be shared on WFMW’s News Edge in the coming days.
