WQXE News

The Hardin County Fiscal Court met for their first meeting of the month Tuesday.

The fiscal court approved the county’s 2024-2025 budget ordinance, which was up for its second reading. The ordinance was approved on a 5-4 vote. No further discussion was held on the budget at this meeting, but at the previous reading the magistrates that voted against the budget expressed concern with using funds from the BlueOval SK Pilot Agreement to cover the budget deficit.

Deputy Judge-Executive Vicki Meredith reported on the county’s Public Works Department. Meredith said the county’s monthly shredding events continue to be well-attended with 224 bags shredded so far this year. The county’s recycling program is also well-used, with 30 trailer runs in March and 44 in April. The Hardin County Conservation District presented the county with a check for $5,000 for its dead animal removal program, which Meredith said has seen 76 animals removed so far this year.

“The point of this is to try to make sure that deceased farm animals are disposed of properly,” Meredith said. “Often, historically, they could be pulled to the back part of the farm or placed close to a stream or in a sinkhole and that’s just not appropriate, so we really commend all the farmers and property owners throughout Hardin County for working with us on this program.”

County Director of Planning Adam King said so far this year 163 building permits have been issued, 33 new plats have been recorded, and 52 new lots have been recorded. King also said the county’s new comprehensive plan has been well-received.

“We’re really excited about this document,” King said. “We’ve used it now at a few meetings, and it has a lot more meat on everything to justify zone change decisions. I think this document is going to serve us well for years to come.”

King said the comprehensive plan has been submitted for a state planning award.

Several magistrates took a moment to acknowledge the 36th anniversary of the May 14, 1988, Carrollton bus collision, and asked residents to remember the families of the 27 victims.

“We do need to continually remind the young people of the consequences of their decisions,” said Magistrate Fred Clem. “And those families, continue to remember them as well.”

The Hardin County Fiscal Court will next meet May 28.

The Elizabethtown City Council met for a special meeting Monday.

The council approved two zoning map amendments on their second readings. The first changed 1203 and 1205 Saint John Road from R-5 to R-6. The second changed 806 North Miles Street from R-4 to R-5. The first reading was held on a zoning change for 1121 through 1131 Alex Drive from C-3 to R-6, as well as an annexation request for 8.8 acres on South Wilson Road from Hardin County to be zoned C-3. All of these items were recommended for approval by the city’s planning commission.

The council approved a municipal order accepting CIMA Energy’s bid to supply natural gas for the city.

“Now be it ordered that the City of Elizabethtown accepts the bid from CIMA for a two-year contract at a rate of Inside FERC Index plus .2 cents/Dth,” said City Attorney Ken Howard, reading from the municipal order.

The council also approved four municipal orders awarding Downtown Redevelopment Grants to four properties.

“Whereas the City of Elizabethtown desires to promote and support the redevelopment of downtown, and whereas the City of Elizabethtown has developed a Downtown Redevelopment Grant program to encourage private property owners to redevelop their properties,” said Howard, reading from the municipal order.

Grants awarding no more than about $43,500 for 220 West Dixie Avenue, about $46,000 for 110 South Main Street, $2,000 for 117 North Main Street, and about $2,600 for 35 Public Square were approved.

Mayor Jeff Gregory and members of the council had high praise for the E-Town Wine Fest which was held at Freeman Lake Park this past Saturday. Council Member Cindy Walker said she arrived shortly before 6 p.m. and saw a strong crowd.

“I was told that over 1,500 tickets at that time had been sold and they were still lining up behind me,” Walker said. “Beth (Pyles) and Priscilla (Scarborough) did an excellent job, the entire staff, the city, the volunteers. It was perfect.”

Extra vendors, a wider footprint, and great weather helped make the event a successful one.

The Elizabethtown City Council will next meet May 20.