Bourbon County commissioners voted Dec. 1 to move county funds and to honor longevity payments for 2025 after an extended, sometimes contentious, public and internal debate about how the payouts should be funded.

The discussion turned on a contested funding stream and whether to pull money from restricted revenue in the inmate housing fund to cover bonuses the prior commission had authorized. Several county employees said they had already relied on the checks for holiday expenses. "We were counting on that money," Victoria Fortberry of the corrections department told the board, describing the hardship when payments were issued and then rescinded.

Commissioners debated multiple options, including reversing a prior transfer of $305,000 that had been proposed in earlier actions and instead moving budgeted sales‑tax proceeds and a proposed transfer from the inmate housing fund to create cash to cover the payouts and operational shortfalls. After debate about legal risk and sheriff’s budget needs, the board approved motions that will: rescind the earlier transfer posture, move previously budgeted sales‑tax allocations as needed, and authorize a transfer out of the inmate housing fund to the general fund so staff can make targeted longevity payments for 2025. Commissioners instructed staff to present precise dollar figures and a resolution at the next meeting for formal adoption and audit accounting.

Sheriff’s office representatives warned that some revenue streams and planned expenditures had already been committed to operations. At the same time, commissioners noted the county must balance honoring authorized payouts with preserving funds for statutory obligations. Janet Harper of the appraiser’s office described the personal impact: "If I don't get that check ... my grandkids will not get a Christmas," she told the board.

The chair asked county finance staff to prepare a resolution and budget amendment laying out (a) the exact amount to move and (b) which accounts will be used, and to identify amounts already committed to sheriff’s office needs. Commissioners said they will vote on the formal transfer in a near‑term meeting once finance provides detailed figures and counsel confirms legal permissibility.

Next steps: staff will return a written resolution and precise accounting for the transfers and any required budget amendments. Commissioners signaled they intend to honor 2025 longevity payments while reserving the right to change eligibility and process for 2026 through an updated personnel policy.

Sources: statements and motions on the Dec. 1 Bourbon County Commission record, including public comments from Victoria Fortberry and Janet Harper and on‑the‑record direction to county finance and counsel.