Bourbon County planning panel schedules firm interviews, reviews public-notice rules for comprehensive plan

At a regular meeting, the Bourbon County planning commission outlined plans to interview consulting firms to support the county's comprehensive plan update and discussed how to structure those presentations to ensure fairness and public participation.

Members said they intend to tailor questions to each firm's proposal and try to schedule interviews so firms have adequate notice. Several members urged caution about hosting interviews in the commission's usual broadcasted forum, noting the meeting recording could allow later firms to review earlier presentations; they discussed using a larger in-person venue to allow public attendance while reducing that advantage.

The commission reviewed language identified in the transcript as Section 747B, noting the requirement that planning commissions 'make or cause to be made' comprehensive surveys and studies covering land use, population, public facilities, transportation and related elements. Members also reiterated that the adoption process requires a public hearing with notice published in the official county newspaper at least 20 days before adoption. The group clarified that the commission adopts a plan and then forwards a signed copy to the county commissioners, who would ultimately approve or reject it; commissioners also influence plan spending through budget decisions.

On logistics, members agreed to compile a standard set of interview questions, circulate those through staff (Susan and Laura were named as intended recipients in the discussion) and reach out to the firms'contacts to set dates. The panel debated timing: one member said next week was likely too soon for firms to prepare and favored meetings in two weeks, while another suggested trying to get at least one firm to present sooner if possible.

The panel recorded routine procedural actions: a motion to approve the agenda, a motion to approve minutes from the April 15 meeting (with members noting they can amend minutes later to add speaker names if needed), and a final motion to adjourn; participants described those votes as unanimous in the transcript, though individual vote tallies were not stated.

The commission set a tentative follow-up meeting for Wednesday, April 29 at 5:30 p.m. to check progress and possibly hold interviews; members said they would cancel the session if there were no substantive updates. The next steps are for a member to compile interview questions, staff to contact firms and circulate materials to commissioners, and for the commission to schedule firm presentations consistent with statutory notice and transparency requirements.