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.
Springhaven domestic violence program closure
Springhaven, the domestic violence shelter serving Hardin County and seven other counties, closes June 30. State funding for services continues under a new arrangement starting July 1, and victims will still have someone to answer the hotline. Community leaders meet July 20 to pursue a permanent solution.
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.
Winter Storm Fern response and recovery
The county is clearing about 1,000 roads and 570+ miles after the ice-and-snow storm, and crews say heavy ice keeps tripping plow blades. Residents are asked for patience; trash routes in unincorporated areas missed Monday and Tuesday won't be made up easily.