FY 2026-2027 Budget Amendment No. 2 (Ordinance 347-2)
Hardin County
Summary
Judge Taul's proposed $62.5 million budget holds the property tax rate at 10.8 cents, gives county workers a 2% COLA, and spends $905K on new EMS equipment. It leans on $2 million a year from the old hospital sale payout — and jail subsidies keep climbing with no state help in sight.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 6
- Last 30 days
- 1
Discussed at 1 meeting in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 27, 2026.
Impact analysis
$62.5 million total spend; tax rate stays at 10.8 cents per $100, down about 7% since 2023.
All county residents — EMS, roads, animal care, library and jail services all funded; county employees get raises.
EMS workers forgo a 5% grade increase, 150 employees absorb a ~1% benefits cost increase with only a 1% COLA, and the fire service loses a coordination position.
Mentions & discussions (6)
Fiscal Court - Oct 27, 2026
A $1.5 million budget amendment hit a snag when word arrived the same day that the state may still route $2 million in KIA water-district money through the county. Magistrates struck that piece and will revisit the numbers at second reading. The amendment also reflects a ~$175,000 jump in fire department insurance premiums.
Fiscal Court - Sep 8, 2026
The county adopted a 4% revenue increase, but the real estate rate actually drops from 10.8 to 10.7 cents per $100 thanks to nearly $1 billion in new property valuation. Taking the no-increase compensating rate would have blown a $330,000 hole in the budget.
Fiscal Court - Jun 23, 2026
The court approved a step-in-grade increase and 1% cost-of-living raise for county employees starting next fiscal year. A constituent questioned why money exists for raises but not for roads and services in outlying areas.
Fiscal Court - Jun 9, 2026
The county's $60.8 million budget is now law, but it skipped new EMS hires, a smaller raise for county workers, and fire service investments. Judge Taul argues services will suffer and employees will leave; magistrates say it protects the county's $34 million in reserves.
Fiscal Court - May 12, 2026
The magistrate-revised budget cut roughly $870,000 from the Judge's plan, including EMS pay raises, a fire services deputy director, and Glendale building design money. Magistrates insist they support emergency services but demand a funding plan — possibly a special taxing district or insurance premium tax — before committing. Final adoption comes at a June second reading.
Fiscal Court - Apr 27, 2026
Judge Taul's proposed $62.5 million budget holds the property tax rate at 10.8 cents, gives county workers a 2% COLA, and spends $905K on new EMS equipment. It leans on $2 million a year from the old hospital sale payout — and jail subsidies keep climbing with no state help in sight.
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