The Bourbon County Board of Commissioners voted during its Jan. 12 organizational meeting to adopt a new finance liaison role and to begin early budget planning and mini strategic-planning sessions for 2026 and the 2027 budget.

Commissioner Samuel Tran described the finance liaison as a position to coordinate work sessions early in the year so commissioners can set budget priorities before spreadsheet-driven decisions begin later in the year. "Finance is all about priorities," Tran said during the discussion, arguing that agreeing on objectives first would let staff and advisory committees put numbers to priorities later.

Commissioners debated scope, suggesting the incoming fifth commissioner could take on economic development and grant writing so the finance liaison could focus on budget timing, audit readiness and meeting deadlines. The board adopted a package of board membership assignments and liaison responsibilities by motion, and the minutes record the liaison package as including public works, public safety/EMS, courthouse and finance among others.

The board also directed staff to schedule early work sessions on budget and strategic planning in the first quarter to avoid compressed, year-end budgeting. Commissioners said doing preliminary strategic planning during the first quarter would give department heads and commissioners time to implement priorities throughout 2026 rather than reconciling budgets at the last minute.