On the agenda: Lancaster View — Data Center (Jul 27)

GARRARD COUNTY FISCAL COURT
REGULAR MEETING
HON. CHRISTOPHER T. ELLEMAN PRESIDING
JULY 27, 2026 @ 4:00 P.M.
15 PUBLIC SQUARE, LANCASTER, KY 40444
The meeting was called to order by Judge/Executive Chris Elleman.

Opening prayer by Daryl Hodge.

Opening Pledge of Allegiance led by Willie Skeens.

MAGISTRATES PRESENT: Glendan Barker, Bobby Preston, Wayne Day and Chris Davis
MAGISTRATES ABSENT: Chris Butner

Judge/Executive Elleman began the meeting by honoring Dana Hensley, long-time Garrard County
Circuit Clerk, on her pending retirement on July 31, 2026. He also welcomed Bethany Denny, who will be
appointed as the next Garrard County Circuit Clerk. Dana Hensley expressed thankfulness and said it’s
been an honor to serve this county.

IN RE: PUBLIC COMMENTS
Beth Carlin, District 4, was in attendance. She said she thinks there’s been some confusion and
people have reached out to her. She wanted to know if changes can be made to the Data Center
Ordinance once it’s had its 2nd reading. She also wanted to know if there’s been any progress in adding a
Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). Judge/Executive Elleman and County Attorney Chris Whitworth
stated that the Ordinance can always be amended, with another 1st and 2nd reading. She wanted the
NDA added before the 2nd reading tonight and County Attorney Whitworth said none of the Magistrates
have asked him to make changes after the 1 st reading. Judge/Executive Elleman said all e-mails and
information that he obtained since the last meeting were given to the Magistrates in their meeting
packets. He stated that it is the community’s responsibility to elect the right people in the future.
Lisa Ray was in attendance. She expressed concern over the environment, the animals, and the
water and how that will affect her future grandchildren. She said the noise from Data Centers runs the
animals off. Judge/Executive Elleman explained that we are doing the Ordinance to try to get in front of
the situation.
Stephanie Abel, District 1, was in attendance. She said there were a lot of good things about the
Ordinance but has concerns that we were leaving ourselves open in terms of water protection and some
of the emergency and fire considerations. She questioned the rush to proceed with the 2 nd reading
versus taking a moment and compiling feedback to make sure there is a very solid first Ordinance rather
than making amendments later. Judge/Executive Elleman stated we need to have an Ordinance in place
quickly to deter Data Centers from coming into the county. He thinks we are all getting educated about

Data Centers at the same time as there has not been a lot of education from the higher levels of
government. Judge/Executive Elleman said the court would be willing to coordinate with the community
on future amendments.

IN RE: OLD BUSINESS
At the June 8, 2026, court meeting, two Addendums were presented after the meeting of the
Garrard Lincoln Solid Waste Management Area 109 Board on June 1, 2026. The meeting minutes
reflected the Addendum with Rumpke of Kentucky, Inc. The second Addendum was with Rhodus
Garbage Service. The Garrard-Lincoln Solid Waste Committee approved a 5-year extension of the
garbage service franchise operated by Rhodus Garbage Service. The franchise continues to provide
increases to timely address fuel changes in fuel charges. The Committee also approved “pass-through”
increases to Rhodus when dump charges are increased. Any pass-through increases shall equal the
percentage of the increase imposed for dump charges at the time of the increase. The Residential refuse
collection (curbside) had a 3% increase per year through May 31, 2031. A motion was made to
acknowledge receipt of the Rhodus Addendum by Magistrate Davis and seconded by Magistrate Preston.
All in favor.

IN RE: PLATS
Herrington Farm, LLC on Tanyard Branch. This plat was tabled at the July 13, 2026, meeting due
to some water and drainage issues. Judge/Executive Elleman and Magistrate Barker have since visited
the site. A motion was made to approve the plat by Magistrate Barker and seconded by Magistrate
Davis. All in favor.

IN RE: APPROVE COURT MINUTES
July 13, 2026, minutes were presented. A motion was made to approve by Magistrate Day and
seconded by Magistrate Preston. All in favor.

IN RE: APPROVE TRANSFERS
From:
Road Fund
02-9200-999-0
Reserve for Transfer

To:
$5,878.93

Road Fund
02-6105-471-0
Road Salt

A motion was made to approve the transfers by Magistrate Preston and seconded by Magistrate
Day. All in favor.

IN RE: APPROVE BILLS TO BE PAID
01 – GENERAL FUND
Ad-IOS
American Response Vehicle Inc.
Bluegrass 911 Central Communication
Central Kentucky Sheet Metal, Inc.
Cliff Ed Irvin
Danny’s Termite & Pest Control
Docubit
Dr. Lacy K. Price
Elan Financial Services
Garrard Automotive Inc
Garrard Co Attorney
Garrard County Sheriff
Jessamine County Detention Center
Joe Ball
Kevin Montgomery
Kentucky State Treasurer
Langham & Sons Commercial & Residential
Madison County EMS
Pitney Bowes Inc
Quill
Rumpke
Scarlett Murphy
Seybold Electric Contracting LLC
Tony Morgan
The W.W. Williams Co, LLC

$59.99
$394.39
$446.58
$195.00
$100.00
$115.00
$70.00
$2,520.00
$1,503.39
$134.22
$4,935.84
$30,333.33
$31,560.00
$100.00
$100.00
$2,119.13
$2,300.00
$7,806.57
$112.87
$323.29
$153.68
$100.00
$628.00
$3,392.72
$1,652.00

02 – ROAD FUND
The Allen Company
Cammle Ford
Crawford Asphalt
DMB Contracting, LLC
Elan Financial Services
Garrard Automotive Inc
Hornback Construction Company, Inc
Mason Brother’s
Morton Salt
Rumpke
Stanford Tire Center
Tri K Landfill

$1,245.55
$6,075.00
$9,984.00
$329.50
$613.64
$121.45
$196,203.52
$185.49
$5,878.93
$90.00
$271.44
$64.34
13 – SOLID WASTE FUND

Elan Financial Services

$17.81

A motion was made to approve the bills by Magistrate Barker and seconded by Magistrate
Preston. All in favor.

IN RE: APPROVE LAST MONTH’S FINANCIAL STATEMENT
None.

IN RE: SOIL CONSERVATION ANNUAL REPORT / REQUEST
Judge/Executive Elleman wanted to acknowledge that Kathy Simpson was awarded the Kentucky
Conservation Employee of the Year for 2026. The Board will have a press release on July 28, 2026.
The Annual Financial Report for July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026, was presented. A motion was
made to acknowledge receipt by Magistrate Day and seconded by Magistrate Barker. All in favor.
There will be another wire recycling event. There will also be a Recycling Event on Saturday,
October 17, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at 166 Precision Court in Lancaster. The items accepted
include computers & hardware, printers, office equipment, televisions, telephones, CD, VCR & DVD
players, headphones, digital cameras, cell phones and microwaves.

IN RE: GARRARD COUNTY LIBRARY 2026-2027 BUDGET
Laura McWilliams was in attendance. She presented a copy of their July 1, 2026 – June 30,
2027, budget. She brought special attention to the Capital Outlay line as they have purchased the EKU
building and plan to expand the library into that building. A motion was made to approve the budget by
Magistrate Davis and seconded by Magistrate Preston. All in favor.
The Memory Lab has taken off, and community members have digitized photos, documents,
slides, VHS, DVDs, camcorder tapes, vinyl records, and cassette tapes.
This week they will put out three little libraries in the community. They are small boxes with
shelves that will be stocked with free books. Members can borrow books at one of three locations: the
Jaycees Ballpark playground, Natalie’s Café in Bryantsville, and at Solidago in Paint Lick.
On August 5, 2026, there will be a Popup Driver Licensing Program at the library. Appointments
are first-come, first-served and must be made online.

IN RE: KOHS STATE HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT RESOLUTIONS (BLUEGRASS 911)
Russ Clark was in attendance. He presented two Resolutions for grant submission.




A Resolution (R-7-27-26-1) of the Garrard County Fiscal Court Authorizing the Submission of an
Application for the Garrard County EOC Physical Security Enhancements State Homeland
Security Grant Program (SHSGP) Project. This grant funds up to $100,000.00 for security
measures, such as fencing with an access gate and bollards. A motion authorizes
Judge/Executive Elleman to sign all documents necessary to seek the financial support that
would enable this project to move forward. A motion was made by Magistrate Day and seconded
by Magistrate Preston. All in favor.
A Resolution (R-7-27-26-2) of the Garrard County Fiscal Court Authorizing the Submission of an
Application for the Bluegrass 911 Mobile Dispatch Center Acquisition State Homeland Security
Grant Program (SHSGP) Project (R-7-27-26-2). This grant funds up to $600,000.00 to purchase a
mobile dispatch center and the associated communications equipment to maintain dispatch
services for those communities participating in Bluegrass 911 during emergency situations. A
motion authorizes Judge/Executive Elleman to sign all documents necessary to seek the financial

support that would enable this project to move forward. A motion was made by Magistrate Barker
and seconded by Magistrate Davis. All in favor.

IN RE: DEPARTMENT UPDATES
EMA: Wanda Shelton was in attendance. The EOC roof is leaking again. She is still doing
damage assessments with FEMA. They had a large jump once they hit Jack Black Rd. The Camp
Nelson ramp has some dead trees that host Indiana bats. These bats will not go to their caves until
October, so they have to wait on the bats to cut down the trees. There are two ramps ahead of us.
Judge/Executive Elleman said Ben Naylor and Boones Creek have been repaved, and the road crew was
on Broaddus Branch and Old Lexington Rd W today. Jack Black will likely be next. FEMA is concerned
with one area on Sad Ln.
Co Clerk: Kevin Montgomery was in attendance. They will have their annual delinquent property
tax sale on August 5, 2026. There are currently 19 participants who have signed up for the sale. He
expressed congratulations to Dana Hensley on her retirement. As an election officer, Mr. Montgomery
received a letter from the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) that said that Bethany Denny was the
only person who took the Circuit Clerk’s test and passed. She will have to come into his office and fill out
a nominating paper and must be nominated by her party. Then she will be on the ballot in November.
Jennifer Grubbs, a former Garrard County Circuit Clerk, recently passed away, as did Benita Custard, a
long-time loyal poll worker.
Sheriff: Willie Skeens was in attendance. His office is looking at a couple of grants for patrol
rifles. He’s also working with AOC to get a reassessment on the personnel needed for the court security
staff, which hasn’t been done since 2011. He said the body cameras are in and are a tremendous
upgrade from what they had. He said there was a recent domestic violence call, and he was able to
watch live as the deputies responded.
EMS: Rebecca Sizemore was in attendance. They have one employee who just received his
Paramedics license today and another will be finishing soon. There are five employees preparing for their
A-EMT licenses. They would like to offer a free EMT class for high school students in the fall and the
spring, if possible. This class would be longer than the 16-week regular class. They’ve put out bid
requests for their new ambulance van, which are due prior to the next court meeting.
A motion was made to accept the department updates by Magistrate Day and seconded by
Magistrate Preston. All in favor.

IN RE: 2026 AUDITOR REQUEST
A letter was sent to the Auditor of Public Accounts requesting approval to employ a properly
licensed and qualified private certified public accounting firm (Roy W. Hunter, CPA, PLLC) to perform the
Garrard County Fiscal Court audit for the year ended June 30, 2026. A motion was made to allow by
Magistrate Davis and seconded by Magistrate Day. All in favor.

IN RE: ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT
A Statement of Assets, Statement of Revenues, Statement of Appropriations, and Statement of
Claims for July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, for Garrard County Fiscal Court was presented. A motion was
made to acknowledge receipt by Magistrate Barker and seconded by Magistrate Day. All in favor.

IN RE: INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT RESOLUTION
A Resolution (R-7-27-26-3) Adopting and Approving the Execution of an Interlocal Agreement
Between Garrard County Fiscal Court, Lincoln County Fiscal Court and Rockcastle County Fiscal Court
and Providers of Emergency Services of within the Counties Which Are Parties Hereto was presented. A
motion authorizes and directs Judge/Executive Elleman to sign the Interlocal Agreement for provision of
emergency services on behalf of the Fiscal Court of Garrard County. This matter was discussed at the
June 29, 2026, court meeting. Lamb Black Road is a shared roadway located along the jurisdictional
boundaries of Lincoln County, Garrard County, and Rockcastle County. The Interlocal Agreement states
that Lincoln County is generally positioned to provide the fastest emergency response to Lamb Black Rd.
Garrard County and Rockcastle County are able to offer assistance, if needed. A motion was made by
Magistrate Day and seconded by Magistrate Preston. All in favor.

IN RE: 2ND READING OF DATA CENTER ORDINANCE
Judge/Executive Elleman reiterated that all responses and e-mails regarding Data Center
feedback were given to the Magistrates in their meeting packets. Magistrate Davis said he appreciated
the public’s input and has some questions of this own on verbiage and agrees with Judge/Executive
Elleman that we need to have an Ordinance in place. He said as time goes on and changes need to be
made, then they’d make them. A motion was made to pass the 2 nd Reading by Magistrate Barker and
seconded by Magistrate Day. All in favor.

IN RE: EXECUTIVE SESSION
None.

IN RE: ADJOURN MEETING
A motion was made to adjourn by Magistrate Preston and seconded by Magistrate Day.

Hon ________________________________
Garrard County Judge/Executive