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.