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Simpson County Fiscal Court lowers property tax rate to 9.75% and approves equipment purchases
Summary
Simpson County Fiscal Court voted Aug. 5 to reduce the 2025 property tax rate to 9.75% and approved a series of budgeted purchases — including a jail vehicle covered by a technology grant and a coroner van — along with staff hires and an IT services agreement.
FRANKLIN, Ky. — The Simpson County Fiscal Court set the 2025 property tax rate at 9.75% on Aug. 5, approving the reduction by a quarter-percent and completing a slate of budgeted purchases and personnel actions.
Judge/Executive Mason Barnes led the meeting where the court voted unanimously to lower the county's property tax rate from the current 10.00% to 9.75%. Court members were reminded that rates must be finalized by Sept. 1 and publicly distributed in October.
The court approved procurement actions tied to existing budget authority and grant funds. Members accepted the best and most responsible bid from Serra Chevrolet Buick GMC of Madison, Tenn., for a 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe to serve as a jail vehicle for $63,252.38; the purchase will be paid from a technology grant awarded to the jail. The court also approved purchase of a used 2021 coroner van with roughly 30,000 miles and a lift system for $33,735.00. Both motions passed unanimously.
The court approved an IT service contract with ISTT after Simpson County Sheriff Jere D. Hopson explained the sheriff's office handles sensitive data and prefers a vendor with multiple staff resources rather than relying on a single, internal technician. The agreement was authorized for signature by the County Judge.
Fiscal Court approved two employee resolutions hiring Justin McMillian and Rondall Gingerich as full-time firefighters for Franklin Simpson Fire & Rescue; a separate resolution for another candidate was voided after the candidate decommitted. The court also authorized a cash transfer of $23,826.04 from the Federal Grant Fund to the General Fund and several internal budget line transfers listed in the meeting minutes.
All motions reported at the meeting carried by unanimous vote of the present members: Judge/Executive Mason Barnes and Magistrates Jeffrey Burr, Marty Chandler, Scott Poston and Myron Thurman.
The court approved numerous routine bills and claims during the meeting; the claims list included recurring payroll and vendor payments and a notable invoice to Barren River Health District recorded in the minutes.
