Bourbon County selects Confluence to lead comprehensive plan and zoning; board approves contracting path forward

Bourbon County commissioners voted to select the consulting firm Confluence as the county's contractor of choice to develop a comprehensive plan and (optionally) a zoning code update.

Brian Ashworth, representing planning staff, told the board the planning commission interviewed three firms and recommended Confluence on the basis of demonstrated experience, community engagement approach and responsiveness. Ashworth said Confluence's scope includes a preliminary community assessment, demographic and land‑use analysis, transportation and parks needs assessment and an employment and economic analysis; the planning staff said the firm could also perform zoning work if the county opted to include that phase.

Commissioners discussed price and value. The transcript records a combined price figure quoted in the packet in the neighborhood of "152" (presented as the combined comprehensive plan and zoning total), and commissioners asked staff to seek "best and final" offers and to return a contract for formal approval. "The price tag of 152 may actually go down if we pick this contractor and go back for best and final," a commissioner said during the discussion.

A motion to select Confluence as the contractor of choice passed with the board instructing staff to negotiate the final terms and provide a contract for signature. Commissioners emphasized preserving robust community engagement while seeking cost savings where appropriate.

Staff will return to the commission with a final contract and any negotiated reductions before awarding the work.