Bourbon Town Council members considered the extension of their farm lease when they met last Tuesday.
Farmer Chad Nifong has been leasing approximately 70 acres of the town’s land for several years, according to Clerk-Treasurer Kim Berger. She noted that he came to the council, asking to extend his lease.
The council members granted the request, agreeing that Nifong can continue to utilize the farmland from January 1st of 2019 through December 31st of 2021.
In addition to approving the farm lease, members also approved public official bonds for 2019.
Clerk-Treasurer Berger explained that these bonds are taken out to protect the Town in case of embezzlement. She noted that it is a standard requirement from the State Board of Accounts.
The bonds are taken out to cover certain employees that regularly deal with funds such as the clerk-treasurer, the deputy clerks and the director of Matchette Center. The Clerk-Treasurer’s bond is worth $90,000, each deputy clerk has a $20,000 bond and the Matchette Center Director’s bond is worth $10,000.
When it came time to vote, council members Les McFarland and P.J. Hanley voted in favor of approving the bonds while Councilman Larry Wattenbarger abstained from the vote since his wife Dena serves as the director of the Matchette Center.
