By Samantha Swindler / Managing Editor

Union College is hoping to add to its campus security measures with a Kentucky Homeland Security grant it’s applying for this year.

During Tuesday’s meeting of the Knox County Fiscal Court, the court approved a grant application for the college seeking $147,000 to help provide community awareness on local and national security issues.

Union College, in collaboration with Knox County and the city of Barbourville, will participate in mock drills, evacuations and emergency situations to better prepare the campus and surrounding community in case of an actual emergency, be it a natural or man-made disaster.

“Union College, through its continuing commitment to developing strong community relationships, is pleased to apply for a grant from Kentucky Homeland Security which will benefit not only the college, but also the surround city and county communities,” said Debbie D’Anna, Dean of Student Development at Union College.

Because of its central location, Union can provide an ideal site for mock disaster trainings and drills for local first responders, as well as provide facilities for local first responders to take online courses.

“They’ve looked at a lot the things that have happened nationwide on campuses and they are looking to beef up security,” Judge-Executive J.M. Hall said. “You never know when it’s going to hit home to us. I hope it never does.”

Because Union is a private college, a government agency must act as an “authorized corespondent” to accept the money from Homeland Security. If approved, the funds will be received by the fiscal court and then passed on to the college.

The fiscal court also agreed to be the authorized corespondent for a grant being applied for by the Knox County Hospital. The hospital is also seeking Homeland Security funds of $85,000 to help develop a “lock down” capacity at the hospital in case of emergency.

Paperwork on that grant was due last week, so the court had already approved the resolution through a “poll vote” of court members over the phone. They reaffirmed the poll vote during Tuesday’s regular meeting.

In other business, the fiscal court:

• approved the second reading of the county’s 2008-09 budget, totaling approximately $10.2 million.

• accepted the county treasurer’s report, which stated there were $13,203.38 in delinquent taxes in the month of May.

• accepted bids for the following items: crushed stone from Rinker; asphalt from Kay & Kay; coal mix and chip & seal from Greer & Sons; drain tile, backhoe work, bulldozer work and excavator work from McVey; and concrete from Tri-County Ready Mix.

• approved the list of priority coal severance items the county will receive for 2008-2010.

• heard during citizen’s comments from Jackie Baker, who thanked Magistrate Giulio Cima and the court for adding extra handicapped signage near her home.

• heard from Magistrate Doyle Gibson, who asked that the county begin mowing the area near the hospital, which is still county property.

• accepted the deed for Richland Fire Department Road.

• accepted the special district budgets for 2008-09, including budgets for the tourism commission, the extension agency, Artemus Fire Protection District and Kentucky Communities Economic Opportunity Council, among others.

Also, in response to a citizen’s question, Hall said he has not yet been contacted about any follow up investigation into a incident last month in which Hall’s cousin had a private driveway graveled. The matter was brought up during last month’s public comments portion of the fiscal court meeting. Hall said Det. Mark Medford with Kentucky State Police Harlan Post was assigned the case. Hall said last month he had not asked for the gravel to be dumped and had reported the incident to authorities.