Martin County Water District Requests Informal Conference

COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY BEFORE THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION In the Matter of:

O R D E R On April 7, 2026, Martin County Water District (Martin District) filed a motion 1 requesting that the Commission schedule an in-person informal conference for the purpose of discussing pending matters in this investigation case, and Martin District's ongoing monitoring case, Case No. 2020-00154. Martin District's motion further 2 requested that the informal conference satisfy the requirement in the Commission's March 31, 2026 Order for written responses to be filed within 20 days by each board member, Martin District, and its manager, and that the need for any additional response be held in abeyance pending conduct of the requested informal conference. 3

Martin County's Motion for Informal Conference (Motion) (filed Apr. 7, 2026). 1 Case No. 2020-00154, Electronic Martin County Water District Management and Operation ELECTRONIC INVESTIGATION INTO MARTIN ) 2

Monitoring Pursuant to KRS 278.250. COUNTY WATER DISTRICT AND ITS )

INDIVIDUAL COMMISSIONERS (TIMOTHY ) Motion at 2. 3THOMA, GREG CRUM, NINA MCCOY, VERNON ) CASE NO. ROBINSON, JOHN HENSLEY, AND COLBY ) 2026-00065 KIRK) AND ITS MANAGER, TODD ADAMS, FOR ) ELECTRONIC MARTIN COUNTY WATER ) CASE NO. DISTRICT MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION ) 2020-00154 ALLEGED FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH KRS ) 278.300 MONITORING PURSUANT TO KRS 278.250 ) )

Martin District's motion further stated that Greg Crum was not a board member at

the time of the truck lease discussions that were subject of the underlying case, Case No. 2025-00249, and is not currently a board member. 4 5 Having reviewed the motion and being otherwise sufficiently advised, the Commission finds that Martin District's request to schedule an informal conference should be granted. An in-person informal conference is scheduled on April 20, 2026, at 2 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time at the Commission's offices at 211 Sower Boulevard, Frankfort, Kentucky. The Commission does not believe all parties to this case or Case No. 2020- 00154 were listed as in-person attendees; if any party or intervenor desires a link for virtual appearance, they should contact Commission Staff. No agenda will be provided for this informal conference, as it is being scheduled upon motion by Martin District.

The Commission further finds that Martin District's request for the informal

conference to meet the requirement for written responses by each Board member, Martin District and its Manager, is denied. An informal conference with Commission Staff, pursuant to 807 KAR 5:001, Section 9, is an opportunity to discuss issues for clarification or to assist in disposition of the case; however, an informal conference is not necessarily a vehicle to introduce evidence into the record and is often followed with a request for information to ensure that the information discussed is properly before the Commission. The investigation, in particular, requires a finding of a willful violation of a statute and, in order to ensure due process, each individual party and the district must be given an

Case No. 2025-00249, Electronic Application of Martin County Water District to Enter into a Lease 4

for Service Trucks (Ky. PSC Nov. 3, 2025), final Order.

Motion at 1-2. 5

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opportunity to respond to the evidence set forth in the Opening Order. However, the 6 Commission, on its own motion, will grant an extension of an additional 20 days, until on or before May 11, 2026, for the parties to file their responses. The Commission also finds that Greg Crum should be dismissed as a party to this proceeding and the case heading amended, as he was not a board member at the time of the alleged violations identified in the underlying proceeding and is not a current board member. IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that:

1. Martin District's request to schedule an informal conference is granted.

2. An in-person informal conference is scheduled on April 20, 2026, at 2 p.m.
   Eastern Daylight Time at the Commission's offices at 211 Sower Boulevard, Frankfort, Kentucky. If any party desires a link for virtual parties, they shall contact Commission Staff.

3. Martin District's request for the informal conference to meet the requirement
   for written responses by each board member, Martin District and its Manager, is denied.

4. The parties are granted an extension of an additional 20 days, until on or
   before May 11, 2026, to file their written responses.

5. Greg Crum is dismissed as a party to this proceeding.

6. The case heading for Case No. 2026-00065 shall now read as follows:
   ELECTRONIC INVESTIGATION INTO MARTIN COUNTY WATER DISTRICT AND ITS INDIVIDUAL COMMISSIONERS (TIMOTHY THOMA, NINA MCCOY, VERNON ROBINSON, JOHN HENSLEY, AND COLBY KIRK) AND ITS MANAGER, TODD ADAMS, FOR ALLEGED FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH KRS 278.300

Order (Ky. PSC Mar. 31, 2026). 6

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Entered on this 14th day of April, 2026. PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

___________________________ Angie Hatton Chairman

___________________________ Mary Pat Regan Commissioner

___________________________ Andrew W. Wood Commissioner

ATTEST:

______________________ Linda C. Bridwell, PE Executive Director

Case No. 2020-00154

Service List for 2020-00154

• Martin County Water District 387 East Main Street, Suite 140 Inez, KY 41224
• Martin County Water District Martin County Water District 387 East Main Street, Suite 140 Inez, KY 41224

• Brian Cumbo
  Attorney at Law P.O. Box 1844 Inez, KY 41224

• Dustin C. Haley Kinkead & Stilz, PLLC 1505 Carter Ave. P.O. Box 2008 Ashland, KY 41105

• Mary V. Cromer Appalachian Citizens' Law Center, Inc. 317 Main Street Whitesburg, KY 41858

• Mary Cromer Appalachian Citizens' Law Center, Inc. 317 Main Street Whitesburg, KY 41858

• Denotes served by Email