Simpson County Fiscal Court adopts zoning code, creates Planning & Zoning board in emergency votes

Simpson County Fiscal Court approved a set of emergency ordinances July 15 to adopt county zoning regulations, establish a Simpson County Planning & Zoning Commission and Board of Adjustments, and adopt a comprehensive plan.

The measures—Ordinance No. 920.128 (zoning regulations and codes), Ordinance No. 920.129 (creating the commission and board), and Ordinance No. 910.60 (comprehensive plan)—were advanced under an emergency declaration invoking KRS 67.078, which allows the court to adopt an ordinance without the usual notice period when a majority names and describes an emergency. Each ordinance passed by recorded roll-call votes of three in favor and two opposed: Magistrates Scott Poston, Marty Chandler and County Judge-Executive Mason Barnes voted yes; Magistrates Jeffrey Burr and Myron Thurman voted no.

The court also appointed members to the newly formed bodies, with staggered terms: to the Planning & Zoning Commission—Chad Konow and Gary Sliger (four-year terms expiring June 30, 2029), Jeff Henderson (three-year term expiring June 30, 2028), Paxx Burke (two-year term expiring June 30, 2027) and Stephanie Hastings (one-year term expiring June 30, 2026). Appointments to the Board of Adjustments included Jordan Hawkins (four-year term), Jerry Summers (three-year term) and Clay Jordan (two-year term). The motions to appoint carried on recorded votes where indicated in the minutes.

The court addressed related personnel changes. After discussion about conflicts of interest and a recusal, the court approved an amended Employee Resolution (2025-07-15-EMP-PZ1) retaining Jon Chandler as Chief Building Official and Code Enforcement Officer for the newly formed Simpson County Planning & Zoning. The court also approved Employee Resolution 2025-07-EMP-PZ2 appointing Mikala McClain as Interim P&Z Administrator while she continues duties as the P&Z administrative assistant.

Members of the public spoke before the emergency votes. Concerned citizens Chad Konow and Ryan Forshee urged the court to take planning and zoning under county control; Susan Sablesak asked what county enforcement would mean if the role moved from the existing Franklin-Simpson structure. Those public comments were entered into the record prior to the emergency ordinances.

County Attorney Sam Phillips explained implementation steps and legal limits as the court adopted the ordinances under KRS 67.078. The record shows the decisions were contentious: two magistrates voted against the emergency measures, and one magistrate recused from an employee resolution vote. The minutes do not record subsequent appeals or legal challenges.

Votes at a glance: • Ordinance No. 920.128 (Adopting zoning regulations and codes) — Passed, emergency reading and final passage; yes: Poston, Chandler, Barnes; no: Burr, Thurman. • Ordinance No. 920.129 (Establishing Planning & Zoning Commission and Board of Adjustments) — Passed, emergency reading and final passage; yes: Poston, Chandler, Barnes; no: Burr, Thurman. • Ordinance No. 910.60 (Adopting a comprehensive plan) — Passed, emergency reading and final passage; yes: Chandler, Poston, Barnes; no: Burr, Thurman. • Employee Resolution 2025-07-15-EMP-PZ1 (retaining Jon Chandler as Chief Building Official) — Approved after modification; recorded votes show majority approval with at least one recusal noted in the minutes.

What happens next: the ordinances take effect as adopted under the court’s emergency action; the court named commission and board members and assigned interim staff duties. The minutes do not record an immediate implementation schedule beyond appointments and personnel assignments.