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County officials decided to return nearly $150,000 in state rural secondary road funds to the Transportation Cabinet to resurface another state road.

Tuesday afternoon, the Jessamine County Fiscal Court heard a presentation from Casey Smith from the cabinet’s District 7 office about rural secondary flex funds for fiscal year 2021. Smith said the state was planning to spend about $343,000 in Jessamine County during the coming fiscal year. The final amount, though, may be up to 30 percent less, he said. The amount of funds is based on fuel tax collection within the first six months of the fiscal year, which begins July 1.

“Given our current circumstances, purchase of gasoline has drastically declined as has our gas tax (revenue),” Smith said.

The district plans to spend about $280,000 to resurface 2.86 miles on Kentucky 39 to complete resurfacing that road, he said, and about $63,000 to improve drainage on Ashgrove Road near the intersection with U.S. 27.

The county had the option to keep the $149,648 in flex funding for its own road projects, Smith said. If the court decided to return it to the state, about one mile on Mount Lebanon Pike (Kentucky 1541) in southeastern Jessamine County would be resurfaced, Smith said.

The magistrates voted unanimously to return the flex funds to the state and also to approve the cabinet’s recommended projects in Jessamine County.

Tuesday’s meeting was streamed over YouTube with the magistrates and Judge-Executive David West participating by teleconference.

In other action, the court approved a 30-day extension on courthouse renovations for bad weather as well as a change order of $9,700 for additional guttering, downspouts and boots for the roof.

The magistrates also unanimously approved a resolution recognizing 911 telecomunicators and supporting they be classified as first responders, rather than clerical employees.