By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
The Barren County Fiscal Court magistrates met in a special-called meeting Thursday morning, Sept. 7, in the court chambers to approve the 2023 tax rate and to establish a public health tax in order to support the Barren County Health Department.
The meeting was called to order by Barren County Judge-Executive Jamie Bewley Byrd at 9 a.m. and the roll call, taken by the fiscal court clerk, revealed that all seven magistrates were present.With this meeting being special-called the court was restricted to only the 17 items on the agenda — that ranged from approval of resolutions, first reading of ordinances and other standard items.
The meeting lasted half an hour with a majority of the time being devoted to a resolution “establishing a public health tax for the Barren County Health Department. According to the resolution it proposes a 2.5 cent per $100 tax on “assessed valuation of real property” as of Jan. 1, 2023. This rate will be reviewed annually, the resolution states.
Currently, the fiscal court writes a check to support the health department. Byrd said, the last payment was roughly $813,000 and came out of the county’s general fund. This rate was approved by the Barren County Board of Health on Sept. 1 of this year and approved by the Cabinet of Health and Family Services. According to the resolution, the revenue of the tax is for “the sole purpose” of maintenance, operation and upkeep of the health department.
This resolution elicited comments, questions and concerns from the magistrates. Jeff Botts, magistrate for the first district, said he would vote yes because it would guarantee funding to the health department and it would free up some funds in the budget that previously would be used to support the department.
“Out of the 120 counties, we’re one of six that have not adopted it,” Botts said. “That tells me that the other counties are apparently doing something right.”
“It’s going to affect me just as much as the next person voting for this, but I see it as something we need to do,” Botts added.
Brad Groce, magistrate for the seventh district, also spoke in favor of the resolution echoing many of Botts’ comments and saying they have “been kicking the can down the road” for too long.
“It’s really the one taxing district everyone in Barren County will use at some time or another,” Groce said. “I’m in support of it.”
Tim Durham, magistrate of the third district, said he was “uncomfortable” voting for the resolution because he did not have the breakdown of how the health department was used today. Botts responded that this extra money in the general funds that this resolution would create could be used to improve infrastructure or personnel. At this Durham agreed that was a big issue for the county. Despite this, Durham was concerned on the impact of this new tax on the residents of Barren County.
“Any more taxes added on to them is a hardship [to] the people of Barren County,” Durham said.
Marty Kinslow, magistrate for the fifth district, said the Public Health Tax of 2.5 was lower than Barren’s surrounding counties. He said Allen County’s is 5 percent and Monroe County’s is set at 4 percent.
After the discussion, Byrd called for a roll call vote. Durham and Derek Pedigo, second district magistrate, voted no. Nevertheless, with five other magistrates voting in favor of the resolution, it was passed.
Another agenda item before the fiscal court was the adoption of the 2023 compensating tax rate. Byrd said the county has lowered the compensating rate from 13.9 cents to 13.5. Because this is lower than the allowed 4 percent increase this did not require a public hearing.
“We’re excited to say this year we’re able to drop the compensating rate,” Byrd said. “Last year, about this time, it was dropped from 14.5 to 13.9 and we’re able to drop the tax rate, lower the property tax, from 13.9 to 13.5 this year.”
Despite the lower rate, the county is expected to increase its revenue by $608,585. This is due to an increase in overall property value assessed by the Property Valuation Administration.
The compensating tax rate was approved unanimously.
Other items discussed by the court was the approval and authorization for Byrd to sign multiple agreements for funds related to road repairs and resurfacing, the first readings of two ordinances amending earlier ones, approval of payments and a presentation by Ami Sandell, director of Mary Wood Weldon Memorial Library, stating their tax rates will remain the same as last year.
The next fiscal court meeting is scheduled for Sept. 19 in the court chambers.
Comments