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Commission tables Bourbon County Ready funding amid disputed contracts and mixed public views
Summary
After a lengthy presentation by Bourbon County Ready and heated public comment questioning contracts and measurable returns, commissioners tabled a $75,000 (proposed) funding decision until final year-end numbers can be reviewed.
The Bourbon County Commission paused action on additional funding for Bourbon County Ready (the county's economic-development entity) after an extended public discussion and a presentation from Ready’s executive. Ready staff outlined achievements including grant awards, housing studies and community grants; public speakers and a citizens’ presenter contested Ready’s performance and flagged unsigned contracts and unclear invoices.
Mark McCoy, introduced to the commission as Ready’s representative, summarized recent accomplishments and grant activity: "Ready has secured over 2,000,000 in competitive grant funding with 220,000 already being disbursed," he said. He listed a $900,000 Horton Street grant and roughly $150,000 distributed in community grants, and said Ready is involved in housing initiatives totaling about $5,000,000 in potential projects.
Public commenters and a document presentation challenged how Ready was paid and whether formal, signed county contracts existed. One resident who reviewed county expenditure reports told commissioners she had located county payments to Ready totaling an aggregate she calculated as roughly $774,751 for 2021–2023 and about $849,918 through 2024; she said several drafted contracts were unsigned and asked why payments had been made without executed agreements.
Ready’s executive and supporters pushed back, citing work on the hospital, downtown projects and business attraction efforts. Ready’s representative said some funding came from city agreements and private donations and described the work as collaborative with the county and city.
Commissioners concluded they lacked the financial detail and final year-end numbers needed to authorize new funding immediately. A motion to table any funding decision for a couple of weeks — to allow staff to finalize year-end balances and for the commission to review invoices and contracts — carried by voice vote. Commissioners asked Ready to provide detailed invoices, a performance statement for past work, and to return with periodic reporting proposals if future funding is requested.
