Call to Order and Roll Call
The 3rd meeting of the Tobacco Settlement Agreement Fund Oversight Committee was held on Wednesday, March 2, 2016, upon adjournment of both Chambers in Room 129 of the Capitol Annex. Representative Wilson Stone, Chair, called the meeting to order, and the secretary called the roll.
Present were:
Members: Senator C.B. Embry Jr., Co-Chair; Representative Wilson Stone, Co-Chair; Senators Paul Hornback, Dennis Parrett, Robin L. Webb, and Whitney Westerfield; Representatives Mike Denham, Terry Mills, Jonathan Shell, and James Tipton.
Guests: Warren Beeler, Executive Director, Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy, Bill McCloskey, Director of Financial Services, Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy.
LRC Staff: Lowell Atchley, Sara Sexson-Lyle, Susan Spoonamore, and Marielle Manning, Committee Assistant.
Upon motion made by Senator Parrett and seconded by Senator Embry, the February 2, 2016 minutes were approved, upon voice vote and without objection.
The Blue Grass Stockyards Resolution was read. Upon motion made by Representative Denham and seconded by Representative Mills, the resolution was adopted by unanimous voice vote.
Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy
Mr. Warren Beeler, Executive Director, and Mr. Bill McCloskey, Director of Financial Services, presented the projects receiving Agricultural Development Board approval at its February 2016 meeting. Those included an upgraded exhaust fan, pocket-size cow herd record book, On-Farm Investments, Environmental Stewardship, Shared-use Programs, and major state wide or regional projects.
The GOAP representatives responded to committee members’ questions about the Shared-use funding commitments.
The committee receive reports on two regional projects: (1) Logan County Agricultural Extension Foundation, Inc., approved by the board for $5,443 in Logan County funds to purchase and install a fan in its multi-purpose agricultural arena; and (2) Twin Lakes Cattle Association Corporation, approved by the board for $1,500 in Clinton County funds to print and distribute a pocket-size cow herd record book.
The GOAP officials responded to committee members’ questions about the Logan County project, such as the funding arrangement and project specifics.
Responding to Representative Stone, Mr. McCloskey explained that a 50/50 match grant is required for the participating foundation and the fund.
Responding to Representative Denham, Mr. McCloskey explained that county money helped build the agriculture project. The project will include upgrading and installing a new exhaust fan in the agricultural arena in Logan County. County money had been used for facility previously and a lot of livestock shows are in the region. There is 1-acre under roof in the facility.
The GOAP officials provided additional details on the Twin Lakes Cattle Association Corporation project, such as record book specifics. Mr. McCloskey described that the pocket-size cow herd record book would be a 3rd edition.
The GOAP representatives described one funding denial, South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council, turned down for $1,000,000 in state funds to purchase the conservation easements on 400 acres of land adjacent to the Ft. Campbell Army base in Christian County. Concerns about benefits to Kentucky agriculture, increased farm income, and diversification of Kentucky agriculture were mentioned as reasons for denial.
In response to Representative Stone, Mr. McCloskey explained the land would still be leased out for agriculture but would benefit only seven land owners and the Agriculture Development Board felt the project was not a good use of the funds.
In response to Senator Hornback, Senator Westerfield explained the land has been purchased by local farmers with easements.
In response to Representative Denham, Senator Westerfield explained there is a TVA mega-site, and the local government is trying to acquire the easements to the property to continue to farm but also to allow Ft. Campbell to make use of the land for air operations.
Documents distributed during the meeting are available with meeting materials in the LRC Library. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.