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Bowling Green voters fund public safety upgrades; city plans two new fire stations
Summary
Voters approved a 0.15% income tax increase to strengthen public safety; city officials say the revenue will fund equipment upgrades and construction of two fire stations designed to reach about 90% of the city within four minutes.
Bowling Green voters approved a 0.15% income tax increase in November to bolster the city’s public safety services, city officials announced in the 2026 State of the City address.
The speaker said the newly approved funding will finance equipment upgrades and the construction of two fire stations, one on Newton Road near the community center and another on Campbell Hill Road at Carter Park near the Water Tower. "These strategic locations will allow the fire division to reach approximately 90% of the city in 4 minutes or less," the speaker said.
The address noted the police division maintained staffing levels through retirements in 2025 and highlighted a leadership transition: Chief Tony Hetrick retired and Chief Justin White was promoted. The speaker also described expanded community policing efforts and upgrades to body-worn and in-car camera systems to reinforce accountability and transparency.
Construction of the two new fire stations is slated to begin later this spring, with completion expected by late 2027, and the police division will move temporarily into the former Court Street station while a renovation of the historic police station occurs in 2027 and 2028.
City officials framed the measures as community-backed investments in response capacity and training, and said the changes are intended to preserve fast response times as the city grows. No additional vote tallies or referendum language were provided in the address.
