Woodford County Fiscal Court advances $60.98 million budget with no new taxes
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Summary
The Woodford County Fiscal Court approved the second reading of Ordinance 2025-07, a $60,976,612.08 fiscal 2025–26 budget that the judge said requires no new taxes and prioritizes employee pay, flood recovery and infrastructure projects.
The Woodford County Fiscal Court on second reading approved Ordinance 2025-07, the county budget for fiscal year 2025–26, totaling $60,976,612.08. The motion was made by Squire Brown, seconded by Squire Downey, and carried unanimously.
Judge Kaye told the court the budget "requires no new taxes on Woodford County citizens" and described it as "a crucial balance" that maintains services while investing in employees and recovery efforts.
The budget package includes $34,141,792.03 in general appropriations; a roads budget of $4,058,515.58; a jail budget of $3,447,490.25; state grants totaling $9,594,926.64; federal grants totaling $3,831,871.25; an American Rescue Plan Act fund of $3,705,531.54; and a debt service total of $423,913.92. County Attorney provided a summary reading of the appropriation totals during the session.
Court members highlighted major programmatic commitments in the spending plan: pay increases and benefit enhancements for county employees (the judge described a 3% cost-of-living adjustment in the proposed budget), continued investments in emergency medical services, law enforcement, juvenile and corrections staff, broadband expansion to be paid from cash (no bonding), an $8.5 million sewer project for Millville and Castle & Key, water improvements including the Watts Ferry and Little Germany projects, courthouse HVAC and annex work, and expanded support for social-service and recovery programs tied to this year's floods.
The judge also emphasized funding dedicated to flood response and recovery: buyout programs, resident support, debris cleanup and infrastructure restoration tied to the April floods.
County Attorney read required appropriation amounts and noted the ordinance's second reading will be published in summary form within 30 days as required by law. The court approved the second reading with no recorded opposition.
The court also approved the salary list for fiscal year 2025–26 and other personnel items related to the budget at the same meeting.
Looking ahead, the county will move forward with project implementation and required publication steps; the ordinance remains subject to any subsequent statutorily required steps after the second reading.
