Council secures funding and moves forward with bridge repair projects using FEMA assistance.

The fiscal court approved invoices for the Ag Expo Center — $11,250 for a site survey and $243,488.50 for architect fees — to be paid from a $1,000,000 state appropriation held in a separate account.

After a presentation by Wawbuck Development, the court voted to cancel an option agreement with Wawbuck and approved a long-term ground lease with the HERO Foundation to preserve scoring credit for a 75-unit affordable senior housing project that seeks Low-Income Housing Tax Credits.

Magistrates discussed restructuring the county tourism commission and a tiered transient-room tax after a presentation from an out-of-county commissioner who said a split helped his county double tourism revenue; no vote was taken and officials said more analysis is needed.

Magistrates voted to direct the county planning and zoning commission to start drafting a broad zoning and land‑use ordinance for unincorporated Barren County; the planning commission has hired a consultant and aims for public drafts and hearings this fall.

Barren County Fiscal Court set two July town halls to gather public input on zoning and was briefed by the county attorney, who said moratoriums in counties without countywide zoning function as delays rather than enforceable bans and explained the legal process under KRS 100.

At a special-called meeting, the Barren County Fiscal Court completed the second reading and unanimously adopted the 2026–2027 annual budget and appropriation, which the court described as $10.7 million and slightly lower than the county’s 2022 spending level.

A resident asked the Barren County Fiscal Court to impose a moratorium on data centers; Judge Executive Jamie Buie Bird and county attorney Mike Richardson responded that, without county zoning, a legally enforceable moratorium is unlikely and described upcoming trainings and town halls to inform next steps.

Bridge Kentucky asked magistrates for $75,000 from the county's opioid-settlement account to expand housing and support services; the court agreed to form an opioid committee and heard NET Recovery's presentation of an FDA-cleared withdrawal device, which the vendor offered to pilot with two free treatments.

Magistrates approved Ordinance 703 on second reading to amend a prior fiscal-year budget and advanced Ordinance 704 for first reading as they outlined a roughly $7 million general fund and a nearly $1 million reduction in road funding tied to lower state revenue.

Barren County leaders said county road‑aid payments from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet have fallen 'substantially' and the court approved the KYTC county road‑aid agreement for FY 2026–2027; the transcript lists the amount as about $1.6 million.

Barren County voted to advertise an RFQ for a construction manager for the county agriculture exposition center, with bids due June 2; the project is tied to a $20 million grant credited to Senator McConnell's office.

After debate over fines, jail time and definitions for livestock and nuisance animals, the Barren County Fiscal Court approved amendments and then adopted Ordinance 702 on a 4–3 roll-call vote; amendments had passed 5–2 earlier.

Barren County Fiscal Court voted to accept a respondent to be the operator-of-record for a feasibility study of a proposed grain elevator and authorized pursuing agricultural economic-development grant funding; court emphasized no county tax dollars would be used for the study phase.

The Fiscal Court approved a resolution to surplus and deed its share of 302 Humble Avenue to the City of Glasgow so the city can demolish and return the dilapidated property to market. A resident also presented extensive complaints about a tree company allegedly dumping debris on private land and possible EPA involvement; county attorneys said enforcement options are limited without state action.

At its Nov. 18 meeting, the Barren County Fiscal Court approved a $204,000 bid for Orwell/Oldwell Road backed largely by FEMA reimbursement, authorized a lower-interest lease swap for a trackhoe, and approved multiple contractor invoices and claims, all by voice vote.

County reported Ritter's Mill repairs and scheduled opening; the court authorized bids for Oldwell Road low-water repairs and approved bridge-repair invoices tied to FEMA and state-funded projects.

A roundup of motions and votes from the Oct. 21 Barren County Fiscal Court meeting, including approvals of routine reports, invoices, appointments, the holiday-date change and several contract and grant authorizations.

The court approved a resolution authorizing the issuance of mortgage revenue bonds to fund construction of a new Justice Center; bond sale set for Nov. 5 and close Nov. 25, with proceeds around $47 million.

County economic-development director reported three companies — Bluegrass Ingredients, Union Coating and Chemical Industries, and Tay Access Flooring — are moving into South Cooper Industrial Park; local officials said hiring will ramp in 2026 as build-outs progress.

Court deliberates new zoning amendment on solar panel installations and community rights.