Barren County fiscal court proposes lower tax rate, approves road equipment purchase; driver’s-license site discussed

A member of the Barren County Fiscal Court moved to adopt a 12.6 property tax rate for the coming year after officials reported a roughly $2.5 million year‑end surplus and continued efforts to "do more with less." The court approved a purchase of a 4‑ton diesel Falcon hotbox for road maintenance for $43,309.17 from Seal Master of Louisville under state master‑pricing, and discussed using the county’s former health department building to re‑establish a Kentucky Transportation Cabinet driver’s‑license office in Barren County.

Court leaders said the recommended tax‑rate change follows three consecutive years of reductions. A member of the court reported the county ended the fiscal year with "2 and a half million dollars or plus" in reserve and framed the lower rate as possible because of that year‑end position. The same speaker credited grant work by Judge Byrd and Garland Hill for bringing in substantial outside funding and said the county has nearly doubled recent road spending compared with a few years ago.

The court did not record a formal roll‑call vote on the tax‑rate motion in the meeting transcript. The transcript shows the motion was made from the floor to move the rate from 13 to 12.6; the record does not include an outcome or individual vote tallies for that motion.

On equipment purchasing, a member of the court made a motion "to purchase 4 ton diesel Falcon hot box with a heavy duty hoist, a plate compactor basket from Seal Master of Louisville through state pricing or master agreement for the price of $43,309.17." That motion was seconded by Petty Garrow and approved by voice vote; the clerk announced "motion carries." The purchase followed earlier discussion that the county could reject prior competitive bids and use state master‑pricing as a better value.

Separately, the court discussed the county’s former health department building as a candidate location to bring a driver’s‑license office back to Barren County. Court members said bringing a local driver’s‑license service would remove the need for residents to travel to Bowling Green or Columbia to renew licenses. Members voiced support for facilitating the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s review of the building; the transcript records support for providing a location but does not show a formal motion or agreement committing the county to a sale, lease, or renovation contract.

Background and next steps: the transcript notes the county’s fiscal work group and department heads were credited for cost savings and grant efforts that enabled the recommended tax rate. For the hotbox purchase, staff referenced using the state master agreement to lower cost; the court approved that single equipment purchase by voice vote at the meeting. For the driver’s‑license office idea, court members said additional procedural hoops remain, and staff or cabinet officials must complete those steps before any formal arrangement.

Votes at a glance • Motion to adopt property tax rate of 12.6 (from 13): motion made; no recorded roll‑call or outcome in the transcript. • Motion to purchase 4‑ton diesel Falcon hotbox (Seal Master of Louisville) for $43,309.17 through state master agreement: motion seconded by Petty Garrow; approved by voice vote (transcript records "motion carries").

Ending Court members described the fiscal recommendations as the result of ongoing spending scrutiny, grant funding, and department efficiencies; officials said they will continue follow‑up on the driver’s‑license office opportunity and complete procurement and administrative steps for the approved equipment purchase.