State Rep. Rick Nelson has issued a list of projects Bell County's portion of the money will be used for.
Some of the highlights include $1,250,000 for the Bell County Fiscal Court to use for water and other projects and equipment, $100,000 for equipment and vehicles for the Sheriff's Department, and $150,000 for a new fire truck for the Frakes Volunteer Fire Department.
The city of Middlesboro was allotted $275,000 for water and other projects and equipment and the parks and recreation department was allotted $20,000 for the purchase of equipment.
The city of Pineville receives $100,000 for water and or other projects and$40,000 for the purchase of vehicles and equipment for the Police Department.
"Although it was a struggle, we were able to maintain the amount of severance dollars we were supposed to receive for another two years," Nelson said. "However, in 2006 we can expect another fight to make sure that our share of our dollars returns to the coal-producing counties."
In addition, close to $2 million was set aside for ongoing water and sewer projects throughout the county.
"We were happy that our request for an extra $1.9 million was honored for water and sewer projects." Nelson said. "We were also happy to return money to our fiscal court and cities for projects or equipment or anything they feel is important."
In dividing coal severance money, Nelson and Sen. Daniel Mongiardo took requests from elected officials and groups that serve the citizens of Bell County.
"Bell County is a diverse area with many needs that vary from one community to another. What one group might consider a waste, another group considers a need, and that is the way it is and will always be," Nelson said.
The following is a list of all Bell County Coal Severance Tax Projects:
- Bell County Jail - Repairs and Equipment, $25,000
- Bell County Fiscal Court Cemetery Fund - Operations and Equipment, $10,000
- Pineville City Schools -Divided equally among Site-Based Councils, $30,000
- Middlesboro City Schools -Divided equally among Site-Based Councils, $30,000
- Bell County Sheriff's Department- Vehicles and Equipment, $100,000
- Bell County Fiscal Court -Rescue Squad, Equipment, $10,000
- Frakes Volunteer Fire Department - New fire truck, $150,000
- Red Bird Senior Citizens Center - Operations, $2,500
- Lighthouse Mission Center - Operations for Food Pantry and Medical Clinic, $20,000
- City of Middlesboro Recreation Department - Equipment, $20,000
- City of Pineville - Water and/or other projects, $100,000
- City of Middlesboro - Water and/or other projects/Equipment, $275,000
- Bell County Public Library - Operations, $5,000
- Bell County Fiscal Court -Water and/or other projects/Equipment, $1,125,000
- City of Middlesboro Fire Department - Purchase of Turn Out Gear, $30,000
- Bell County Senior Citizens Center - Operations, $5,000
- Bell County Court Clerk - Equipment, $10,000
- Frakes Senior Citizen Center - Operations, $2,500
- Bell County Health Department - Operations, $5,000
- Bell County PVA - Equipment, $10,000
- Bell County Airport - Operations, $10,000
- City of Pineville Police Department - Vehicles and Equipment, $40,000
- City of Pineville Fire Department - Equipment, $10,000
- Bell County Sheriff's Department - Cops in Schools Program at BCHS, $30,000
- Bell County Fiscal Court - P38 Museum Operations, $10,000
- Bell County Fiscal Court - History Museum Operations, $10,000
Water and Sewer Projects
- Bell County Fiscal Court - Assorted Water Projects including Capps Hill/Little Creek/Neal Hill/Stephens Branch/Mill Creek/Laurel Fork/Wolf Pen/Sam's Mountain, $500,000
- Bell County Fiscal Court - Various Water and Sewer Projects, $500,000
- Bell County Fiscal Court - Beans Fork Water, $250,000
- Bell County Fiscal Court - Ferndale Sewer, $250,000
- Bell County Fiscal Court - Fire and dry hydrants, $88,888
- Bell County Fiscal Court - Dorton Branch Sewer Project, $300,000
Transportation Projects
- Replace bridge over Beans Fork (design phase) - $150,000
- Replace bridge on U.S. 25E over Turkey Creek (design, right of way and utility phase) - $620,000
- Construct new route from 441 to U.S. 25E in Middlesboro (design phase) - $600,000
- Road to Asher Industrial site (right of way, utility and construction phase) - $10,075,000
- Guardrail projects at Hwy. 3485; Hall-Hendrick Road; 987 at Brownis Creek; 987 at Laurel Hill; Hwy. 441 at Belt Line; Bella Garden curve - $350,000
- Drainage repair on 25th Street in Middlesboro - $50,000
Post a Comment
