Hardin County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Hardin County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Opioid funding for Drug Court and Sheriff's Office
The county officially joined the latest round of the national opioid settlement, which means additional settlement dollars coming to Hardin County to help with opioid-related costs and services.
Hoover Hollow Road emergency repair
Resolution 2026-179 would enroll the county in the state's Emergency Project (3%) Program to help pay for emergency repairs on Hoover Hollow Road.
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.
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.
TRACERS Search and Rescue Grant
The county's volunteer rope-and-cave rescue team, TRACERS, landed a ~$2,700 state grant to replace aging gear — and it costs the county nothing since it's a pass-through.
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.
Drought Conditions and Potential No-Burn Order
Hardin County is close to enacting a full no-burn ordinance because of drought — neighboring counties already have. Until then, the state burn law applies: no burning before 6 p.m., and stay 150 feet from wood lines.
RAVE Alert Mass Notification System
Magistrate Yates flagged that wrong information went out on county email and Facebook twice in a month — including during a Radcliff incident — and wants it fixed before a real emergency makes it dangerous.
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.
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.
Temporary moratorium on data center rezonings
The county updated its zoning rules to match state law: neighbors within 1,200 feet will no longer get mailed notice of zone changes — only adjacent owners — though the Planning Commission promises extra notice via its website. An invalid non-listed-use process a judge struck down in 2022 was finally removed.
White Mills Bridge repair contract signed
State inspectors shut down the historic White Mills Bridge over safety issues — a surprise, since it wasn't on the county's repair list. Residents in that area face detours while further testing determines whether repairs are possible.
Detention center inmates serve the community
Detention Center inmates logged 11,536 work hours in July — cleaning 118 miles of roadside and completing a Lincoln Elementary workout project that's already being used by schoolchildren and inspiring future projects.
$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.
$848,000 purchase of EMS cardiac monitors
The court is adding about $1.2 million to the budget, with roughly $900,000 replacing EMS cardiac monitors that reach end of life this year. That's frontline equipment paramedics use on every serious call.
Closure of Spurrier Alley in White Mills
A 168-foot strip of undeveloped alley — really just part of a property owner's yard — was officially closed, merging eight lots into one. It never was a usable road and portions nearby were closed back in 2006.
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.