Hardin County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Hardin County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Berrytown Road Drainage Structure Repairs
A $160,000 drainage repair project on Berrytown Road got the green light, with the state picking up $80,000 through an 80/20 match program.
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.
$100,000 Middle Creek Road resurfacing
The county is applying for a new state Grant Pool Program match of $100,000 for Middle Creek Road; the full project runs about $280,000, leaving the county to cover roughly $180,000.
Countywide ban on pet sales in parking lots and flea markets
The county is joining a small club — reportedly one of only two Kentucky counties — moving to require pets be sold only by reputable breeders and to steer residents toward shelter adoptions. First reading passed; a second reading and hearing come before it's final.
State road aid and grant funding
The county is getting over $600,000 in state road funds for eleven roads with only a ~$150,000 local match, plus a major FEMA reimbursement for flood-damaged Stovall and Hall Roads. A new Glendale government complex also received $6.5 million in state funding, available July 2027.
Road Surfacing Funding for Upton and Rhudes Creek Roads
The court approved $314,000 in flex funds for bit surfacing on Upton Road and W. Rhudes Creek Road — smoother drives for folks in that part of the county.
Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment (First Reading)
A first reading of a zoning text amendment covering definitions, the map amendment process, board of adjustment powers, and procedures for non-listed uses. The final vote happens at the September meeting, so residents still have time to weigh in.
Animal Shelter Programs and No-Kill Status
The shelter is back at a 90% live release rate — no-kill territory — with a booming volunteer program, a new dog day-out program, and about $15,000 in Best Friends donations.
Surplus ambulance transfer to Sonora Fire Department
An old county ambulance is heading to the Sonora Fire Department, boosting emergency medical response in the southern part of the county at no acquisition cost to the department.
EMS training grant award
Hardin County EMS landed almost $55,000 in grant money — no local match — to buy new CPR mannequins, airway training dummies, and upgraded cameras, mics, and speakers for the training room. That means better-trained medics responding to your 911 calls.
EMS Crisis to Care Grant Application
The county will apply for a fully reimbursed ~$60,000 grant to buy EMS training equipment, beating a June 12 deadline.
Road Supervisor leadership transition
Longtime Road Supervisor Dwight Morgan retired and Michael Steck was unanimously appointed to fill his unexpired term. Magistrates credited Morgan with stretching limited staffing, upgrading equipment, and fighting for road employee pay.
New Type 1 ambulance purchase
The court approved a $318,500 bid for a new Type 1 ambulance through the consent agenda — the going price for an ambulance these days, as Judge Taul put it.
BRIC Grant for Community Storm Shelters
The county got approval to apply for a federal BRIC grant to build two above-ground community safe rooms at $355,000, with the county's share capped at $89,000 if no other grants offset it.
Cecilia road closings for church expansion
North Mill Street and a chunk of Federal Street in Cecilia will be closed and turned over to Cecilia Baptist Church for a building addition. Most pavement stays as parking, and the drive widens from 12 to 21 feet, which should slow cut-through traffic.
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.
Water district infrastructure and grant projects
Both water districts reported strong years: new water lines on unserved roads, tank construction, lift station renovations, and millions in grant funding — plus tech that caught burst pipes before customers got hit with huge bills.
$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.
Housing Growth and Planning Activity
Planning director Adam King reported 16 new single-family home starts this year — the best February since 2020 — plus a 20-lot preliminary plat in Rineyville and a new state-funded community plan for Glendale that will guide future development there.
Statewide Blood Shortage and March 3 Blood Drive
The Red Cross is facing a severe blood shortage in Kentucky, especially platelets and O, A-negative, and B-negative types. Hardin County EMS and Air Methods Kentucky Six are hosting a blood drive March 3 in the EMS training room.
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.
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.
EMS earns Mission: Lifeline Gold achievement
Hardin County EMS earned the American Heart Association's Mission: Lifeline Gold Achievement Award for rapid, research-based care for the most severe heart attacks and strokes — an upgrade from silver in 2024. It means faster, better-coordinated care when someone calls 911 in this county.
Radcliffe animal cruelty case recognized with statewide awards
Humane World for Animals gave 2025 Humane Law Enforcement Awards to Radcliffe Police, county animal control, and prosecutor Eric Carr for the Radcliffe animal torture case. The county shelter housed 14 dogs for two and a half years at a cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars, and Humane World chipped in $2,000 for necropsies.
EMS Response and Funding Performance
EMS handled 109 calls during the storm peak and is running about $266,000 ahead of last year in collections. A new squad in West Hardin has slashed response times from 40-45 minutes to about 16 minutes.