County government planning for growth

Yes. It became clear, earlier this year before the BOSK impact study, that county services are stretched (some more than others) because of recent inflation and insufficient increases in revenue. When rapid population growth is added to the equation, then appropriate planning to adjust and expand our resources to meet the challenges must be developed, including how to effectively pay for them.

What are some of the challenges and obstacles to providing county services to a rapidly growing population?

Each service has its own challenges. The primary benefit of the BlueOval SK impact study was to quantify the predicted population growth and the resulting needs for increased infrastructure, housing, education, etc. In response to these results, there are several specific studies planned to address EMS, Fire, 911 and infrastructure such as transportation and sewer expansion.

Emergency services are of course essential. Emergency management resources must be proactively ready at all times for varying degrees of countywide or even areawide emergencies.

E911 services must stay ahead of the growth curve. They are the hub of communication for all types of emergencies for this county. No one deserves to get placed on hold when calling 911.

Response times and the quality of the response impact lives, our lives. Location and quantity of staffed ambulances must be understood to meet response time goals throughout the entire county.

We must apply a planning process across all of the county services including police protection, detention center, road maintenance, animal control, garbage collection and recycling. Important services that are planning for growth to enable your government to function properly are engineering, building and grounds, finance, planning and development, PVA, county clerk and county attorney.

Let’s not forget an important service that we don’t like to think about. The county coroner services cannot be overstated, helping families and friends through some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

Even though the challenges to serve our resident during a rapid growth period are substantial, so are the benefits. The key benefit is an abundance of job opportunities. Our children and future generations that want to live here in Hardin County will have ample opportunities.

So, do the future benefits and value exceed the effort and cost? I am optimistic that the answer is a resounding YES. Your county government is researching and planning for the future. I’m confident that the best solutions will be developed and implemented in spite of any known or even unknown obstacles.

This requires increased planning and team collaboration. The county services that we all depend on every day will be available to every current and future resident of this great county.

Let’s make it happen.