Hardin County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Hardin County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
FY 2026-2027 Budget Amendment No. 2 (Ordinance 347-2)
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.
General Election Voting Information
Clerk Smith cleared up news confusion about 11 Hardin County-linked voters near the Jefferson County line: they actually live in Jefferson County and were misrouted due to a West Point zip code. He urges everyone to double-check their registration before November 3.
ADA Website Compliance Software
The county bought Siteimprove software to get its website ADA-compliant by the federal deadline — part transparency for residents with disabilities, part avoiding compliance trouble.
November general election preparation
With 98 days to the general election, the Board of Elections voted to add a polling location for early voting and Election Day, pending state approval — reflecting heavy turnout interest after the May primary.
Special Purpose Government Entity Tax Rates
Three taxing entities told the court they're keeping rates flat: Extension stays at 1.8 cents, Soil Conservation takes the compensating rate, and the Health Department holds at 2.2 cents per $100.
Procurement Threshold Increase
An administrative code update raises the no-bid purchase threshold from $40,000 to $50,000 to match state guidance, and adds rules for small purchases and IT software subscriptions.
County cybersecurity and jail healthcare contracts
The consent agenda included a cybersecurity managed detection and response contract with Arctic Wolf (which absorbed the county's prior vendor), a jail healthcare services agreement for the coming fiscal year, and a consultant to help capture additional Medicaid ambulance reimbursement funding.
Blue Oval revenue losses and accountability
Ford is officially taking over the BlueOval SK battery plant operation at Glendale, and the county had to transfer the industrial revenue bonds to match. This locks in the massive industrial investment and jobs promise for the Glendale area under Ford's name.
Engineering services contract spending
Magistrate Saltsman reported the county's $80,000 engineering services contract with Lincoln Trail ADD is on pace: $25,745 billed over six months, including $2,607.45 for May.
Co-op/intern position and volunteer transparency
A job description for a county co-op/intern got sent back to committee after magistrates learned the county already has an unpaid volunteer in Engineering that most didn't know about. Magistrates want to be told whenever unpaid workers are on the job.
Elected officials' salaries for next term
The court set pay for elected officials for the coming four-year term. Magistrates have had no raise since 2015 — a decade-long freeze that's saved taxpayers more than $300,000.
House Bill 557 jail funding reform
The bill that would have required the state to pay more toward housing state inmates died in committee. Counties still get $35.34 a day per state inmate while the state prison system spends about $122 — leaving local taxpayers to cover the gap.
$35,913 RAV4 Purchase for E-911
The court bought a Toyota RAV4 for E-911 staff to drive to out-of-county training amid high turnover and unreliable older fleet vehicles. Two magistrates voted no, with Saltsman saying the recent 911 fee increase was pitched as funding for equipment and radios.
Farm Plates vs. Friends of Agriculture Plates
The county clerk warned that the state will start enforcing rules on restricted farm plates and introduced the new Friends of Agriculture plate, which anyone can get and which renews in your birth month.
FEMA Reimbursement Status
Squire Clem asked where the county stands on its FEMA reimbursement request. Judge Taul said no payment has arrived yet but the county is still working on it and remains optimistic it will receive the requested funds.
2026 Local Elections and Voter Deadlines
This is a local election year. Absentee ballot requests open April 4, voter registration closes April 20 for the May primary, and party changes after December 31 make you ineligible for the primary — so update your address and check your registration now.