Greenup County Fiscal Court votes to block annexation request for water lines

Greenup County Fiscal Court voted on Nov. 12 to block an annexation request from Mayor Meadows and his legal team that sought to annex water lines and rights-of-way serving roughly 85 homes in the Siloam area.

Bobby Hall, speaking during the court's report, said the court must protect the county’s tax base and oversee county budgets and facilities, including the detention center. Hall said that under recent changes to Kentucky Revised Statutes governing annexation the court now has authority to allow or deny annexations for land outside city boundaries and argued that cities likely do not want to absorb the county jail’s costs. "With annexation comes the responsibility of protecting the county's tax base," he said as he moved the motion to deny the annexation. The motion was seconded and then approved by roll call.

The court framed the decision as protecting county interests rather than an unwillingness to cooperate with cities. After the vote, court members reiterated a willingness to collaborate with city leaders "when Mayor Meadows decides to work with this court," and called for continued transparency and communication between the county and municipal officials.

The motion was recorded by roll call and carried; commissioners recorded affirmative votes. No amendment to the motion was offered on the floor during the session. The court asked staff to coordinate follow-up conversations with affected city officials.

The court did not adopt any ordinance or other permanent policy change regarding annexation at the meeting; the action recorded on Nov. 12 was a denial of the specific annexation request described on the floor. The court directed staff to continue outreach with the involved cities to explain the court’s decision and maintain open lines of communication.