The judge opened the meeting with a year‑in‑review of the fiscal court’s work in 2025, listing infrastructure investments, emergency responses and community programs. “We had a total of 53 meetings this year,” the judge said, noting 22 regular meetings, seven specials and multiple committee sessions.

The judge described three declared emergencies this year: Jan. 5’s winter event (called an “ice sandwich”), a Feb. 15 Kentucky River flood that displaced more than 40 households, and an April flood the judge called the county’s largest disaster. He credited multi‑agency rescue efforts — including Woodford County Fire, neighboring rescue teams, the sheriff’s office, city police, volunteer organizations and state partners — and said FEMA established a local assistance center at the senior center during the response.

The judge highlighted major capital work: Millville sewer and Millville waterline projects, a Payne’s Depot project supported by more than $1 million in grant funding, an $8.5 million sewer project for Millville and Castle & Key, and a $1.2 million Payne’s Depot project. He noted the court approved a recent $297,100 bid for the Millville waterline and described a robust paving and flood‑rebuild season.

On the county budget, the judge said the fiscal court managed a $61,000,000 budget and lowered the county’s tax rate from 6.3 to 5.9 without taking on new debt. He summarized recent cost‑of‑living adjustments for employees (2022: 7%; 2023: 6.5%; 2024–25: 3.5%) and said the current budget includes a 3% adjustment to continue supporting staff.

Public‑safety and community investments received attention: the court purchased an ambulance, new vehicles and stretchers; invested in dry hydrants and storm‑shelter projects in county parks; and established or funded programs such as a school‑partnered EMS workforce pipeline with Woodford County Public Schools. The judge also referenced opiate‑litigation settlement funds, new net recovery devices at the detention center, and support for nonprofits including Bluegrass Community Action and the Woodford County Food Pantry.

The judge closed by thanking county staff, magistrates and community partners for their roles in 2025’s work and in ongoing recovery efforts. The court adjourned after brief magistrate remarks and holiday wishes.