The Hardin County Fiscal Court met for their second meeting of the month Monday.
Hardin County Judge/Executive Keith Taul presented his proposed budget for fiscal year 2026-2027. Taul is proposing a budget of $62,468,098, balanced with $2 million from the annual payout from the hospital sale.
“You can see that the revenue is $24 million-plus, with expenses exactly the same, and we end up of course with a balanced budget, and also considering the hospital sale payout as revenue, then we will end up with $700,000 that will go to increase the reserves,” Taul said.
Taul said his goal with the budget is to “stabilize and plan for the future.” The first reading of the budget ordinance will be held at the May 12 fiscal court reading, the second reading will be held at the June 9 meeting, and the budget will be submitted to the Kentucky Department of Local Government on June 13.
A public hearing was held on a request by the Cecilia Baptist Church to close the right of way for North Mill Street and a 495-foot portion of Federal Street in Cecilia.
“This is just a road closure to close it from county maintenance, so you all, by closing the roads, would be transferring this property over to Cecilia Baptist Church, so it will be closed to county maintenance but most of this pavement is going to remain within the Cecilia Baptist Church parking lot, and pavement that won’t remain will either be improved or shifted a little bit,” said County Planner Haley Goodman.
A resolution approving the request was approved later in the meeting.
In other meeting news, Hardin County Coroner Pat Elmore reported his office responded to 141 cases in January, 97 in February, and 116 in March. Hardin County Sheriff John Ward said in February and March the sheriff’s office made 31 arrests, issued 277 citations, served 184 warrants, and opened 132 criminal cases. Ward also said by the close of business on April 15 the sheriff’s office had collected 99.2 percent of Hardin County property taxes due.
The Hardin County Fiscal Court will next meet May 12.
(Photo Credit: Hardin County Government YouTube Channel)
