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Bourbon County commissioners debate 10–15% mill-levy cuts, staff COLAs and modernization push
Summary
Commissioners opened the budget discussion with competing calls to cut the mill levy—Commissioner Milburn suggested a 10% reduction while Commissioner Beerbower pressed for 15%—and debated staff cost-of-living increases, modernization of county processes and transparency measures ahead of department work sessions.
Commissioners at the Bourbon County Board of Commissioners meeting on March 27 discussed competing proposals for property-tax relief and steps to modernize county operations.
Commissioner Micah Milburn Key proposed lowering the county mill levy by 10% from last year. Commissioner David Beerbower urged a larger 15% reduction and said any tax changes should be accompanied by a rebalancing of services, singling out road maintenance and the possibility of a county recycling center. Commissioner Greg Motley emphasized restoring public trust and improving financial transparency.
The board did not adopt a final levy at the meeting. Commissioners repeatedly stated a preference “not to levy a single dollar more than we did last year” and agreed to hold additional work sessions and meet with departments on April 6 to give staff direction before formal budget numbers are set.
On personnel costs, one commissioner proposed limiting annual cost-of-living increases for county employees to 2–2.5% tied to the consumer price index. The board also discussed standardizing equipment inventories, lifecycle-replacement planning for courthouse and sheriff’s office computers and heavier capital equipment, and revising job descriptions to improve staffing flexibility.
Why it matters: The mill levy and staffing decisions directly affect county revenues, employee pay and services such as road maintenance and public safety. Commissioners framed the work ahead as a combination of tax relief and internal reforms to deliver services with greater accountability.
What’s next: Commissioners directed staff to prepare for department-level meetings on April 6 and to return with data and options for levy and operating budgets; no formal budget or tax rate was adopted at the session.
