Christian County commissioners voted to begin phasing out the county's sales-tax distribution program for special road districts beginning in fiscal 2026.

Staff presented three options, including one more year of full funding and immediate staged reductions. Highway staff told commissioners the county currently budgets up to $600,000 annually for special road district awards (a $100,000 maximum per district), and that the county's cost-per-mile calculations show large disparities between districts.

Commissioner Bradley Jackson and others argued the county must prioritize its own roadwork as inflation erodes purchasing power. "We're sending 600,000 annually out to other agencies. Why are you doing that when my road in front of my house is bad?" Jackson said during the discussion.

After debate, Commissioner Williams proposed a modified phasing plan to reduce distributions by 20% each year over five years beginning FY26, rather than an immediate 25% cut; the commission approved that modified option and discussed creating or repurposing a local agency cost-share fund (the county's 235 account) to help special districts with emergency projects that they cannot fund themselves.

Commissioners and staff noted the program is discretionary and awards are manually applied for and reviewed; the commission retained authority to deny awards in tight budget years.

What happens next: Staff will implement the phased reduction beginning in FY26, update budget projections and provide guidance on use of the local-cost-share fund for emergency or one-off capital failures.