Bourbon County will ask voters whether to expand commission from three to five members

The Bourbon County Commission voted 2–1 to place a resolution on the November ballot to change the county’s governing structure from three commissioners to five commissioner districts.

A proponent of the change, who outlined a petition drive and said organizers had gathered more than 500 signatures toward a threshold, argued that five commissioner districts would improve representation and prevent repeated special‑election costs. Supporters said placing the question on the November ballot would avoid a separate special election and make the process more efficient. The motion to put the measure on the ballot passed with two commissioners in favor and the chair opposing the measure, who said his constituents had asked him to vote no.

Speakers discussed statutory mechanics: the secretary of state provides an initial district outline (using census data) and the commission would approve the final districting; if the commission failed to act, the matter could go to a judge. Commissioners noted the need to clean up voter rolls and ensure petition thresholds are met; proponents cited House Bill 2661 and the statutory schedule for implementing new districts.

The board instructed staff to proceed with paperwork to place the resolution on the November ballot; the motion and vote were recorded at the meeting.