BROOKSVILLE — Hoping for the best, but planning for whatever the future may bring, Bracken County magistrates heard the first reading Wednesday of an ordinance relating to sexually oriented businesses.

While browsing through the 16-page document, there were a few questions about the possibility of banning such businesses all together.

“We can’t ban it, but we can regulate what they wear,” said County Attorney Michael Clark.

What, or how much, clothing covered what anatomical parts of the bodies of employees at such business’ is spelled out in the ordinance, which is similar to other ordinances used by more than 100 other counties in the state, said Clark.

What type of image Bracken County will project to visitors if regulations are not in place, is also a concern of the court.

“It is easier to get to Bracken County than any time in our history. There are spots along the AA Highway that will get filled up with something,” said Clark.

Questions about a license, stipulated to cost $500 for the initial application fee and an annual license fee of $2,000, were also mentioned.

“The license does not run with the property (ownership). If you owned the property and sold it to someone else they would have to get their own license,” said Clark.

A fee for a licence for employees was also mentioned, though a dollar amount has not been decided, Clark said.

Magistrates voted to accept the first reading of the ordinance and a related ordinance banning nudity in establishments that serve alcohol.

Magistrate Carl Allen abstained from both votes, later explaining he didn’t see the need for such regulations.

“That type of business would not do well in this area anyway,” said Allen.

In other business, the court:

— Approved changing the E-911 road name of Workman Lane to Revolution Ridge.

“That makes everybody happy,” said Bracken County Judge-Executive Gary Riggs,

In addition, private road E-911 signs will gradually be converted to blue signs with white lettering to differentiate them from public roads for emergency identification purposes.

— Heard from Carolyn and Tommy Jefferson of the waste management department, that more roadside trash is accumulating with each clean-up attempt. In a recent clean-up day, 700 bags of trash, 125 bags of cans and 783 tires were picked up, utilizing 225 man hours. Residents are encouraged to use recycling trailers and not to litter. A tire amnesty program and more clean-up days are planned, along with close monitoring of Vermillion Road and the creek bank of Old Kentucky 19 off Kentucky 8, where repeat offenders have been throwing trash.

— Heard from James T. Moore that ongoing complaints about loose cattle have brought to light the need for more fencing requirements for livestock and agricultural farmers.

“Both may be responsible for maintaining fencing,” said Moore, “even to keep someone else’s cattle out of your crops.”

— Tabled appointing a new member to the ethics board, at the request of Clark.

— Accepted the appointment of Judy Cooper and Greg Cummins to the nuisance board.

— Discussed the need for a part-time building maintenance and yard mowing position for the courthouse and county supervised properties.

— Heard a first reading of the 2007-2008 budget, citing increased insurance costs as an increased expense factor.

— Heard that due to a 1996 circuit court decision, there can be no more than three members appointed to serve on the Bracken County EMS Board of Directors.

— Approved a motion to amend an erroneous figure of $750 in a previous motion that required the school districts to pay for a CPA audit that actually costs $1,200.

— Agreed to advertise for bids on old logs from the Walcott Covered Bridge renovation project that have been stored at Miller Lumber for over 10 years.

— Reminded members the bridge on Kentucky 435 in the Augusta-Minerva area will soon be closed for 180 days, while the bridge is replaced.

For more area news, go to www.bracken-online.com

Contact Wendy Mitchell at wendy.mitchell@lee.net or call 564-9091, ext. 276.