During the Month of March, the 2022 Leadership Hardin County had the opportunity to tour the Hardin County Government and participate in a round table discussion with Local Leaders.
We started the morning off with Daniel London representing the Hardin County Government Judge Executive Office. Mr. London discussed various roles and departments within the Hardin County Government. Hardin County is the sixth most populous county in the State. According to the 2020 Census there are 110,702 residents and 47,249 Households. Also, Hardin is the Fourth Largest County in the State which h consist of 403,200 acres (630 square miles) and 563 miles of County Roads. County Government consist of several seven areas. Just to name a few Fiscal Court, County Attorney, County Clerk, County Sheriff, County Jailer, and County Coroner. Mr. London briefly explained the overall function of each department and how it operates within the County Government. To include in changes in local law enforcement responsibilities between the County Sheriff Office and State Police.
Also, Mr. London explained the role of State Government in conjunction with Local Government. He shared with the group the Role of the 8 Magistrates and the districts that each one represents. Mr. London shared about the enormous growth that is coming to the Southern end of the County. With development of the Ford-Blue Oval SK, expansion of the New Glendale Road and others of areas of growth. Eli Whitlock (Leadership Hardin County Participant), asked about the agricultural growth within the Hardin County Area. Mr. London, shared some of things that he seeing within the County and throughout the State. Also, Chelsea Basham (Leadership Hardin County Participant) asked Mr. London how will the comprehensive growth be developed include the process. Mr. London explained the process and what is included. Mr. London provided a great comprehensive overall of Hardin County Government and each entity.
Our first stop on the Tour of Hardin Government was the Property Valuation Administration (PVA). Danny Hutcherson, County PVA provide a overview of what the structure of PVA and what services provided. The PVA office is elected by County but is a run by the State. Hardin County Government is required to provide office space for PVA. PVA evaluate all property and assign a valuation to it. to include residential in coordination with the State Department of Revenue. The PVA office is responsible determining amount taxes paid on a vehicle.
Our next stop was Planning and Development (Zoning) Commission, our speaker during this session was Adam King, Director of Hardin County Planning and Development. Mr. King explained that Planning being the Hardin County since 1979 and Zoning 1995. He shared his
department serves two bodies Planning commission to the meeting date (Tuesday night twice a month and The Board of Adjustment. The Planning Committee oversees zone changes, road closing, public facilities and they are also responsible for approving County Comprehensive
plan. The Comprehensive plan is that looks twenty years into the future. That includes, but not limited to resident and industrial growth. The Board of Adjustment handles two things varicosity (if your home is too close to someone else’s property line. Also, they handle conditional use permission which entail Rock corral or junk yard. The Conditional Use Permission put additional condition to ensure it is compatible with a neighborhood. He shared they go out on a road show to talk with residents within the area to see what they are wanting.
Mr. King, shared there are office is responsible for writing the Zoning ordinances.
Our Next Stop was the Hardin County Sheriff Office, our speaker for this session was John Ward, Sheriff explained to the group what the responsibility of the Sheriff Office. Some Function of the Sheriff includes the collection of property taxes. Which is roughly about 80 million dollars, law enforcement, 911 calls, serving the civil and criminal notification, eviction, Sheriff auditions, and the monitoring of the board of election.
Ms. Debbie Donnelly, County Clerk, provide an overview of the County Clerk’s Office roles and responsibilities. As our tour continued Mr. Ward provided our group the opportunity to see the end and out of the 911 dispatch area and amount of personnel that it takes operate the
dispatch center. We know that every minute count when a 911 call comes in. The team of dispatcher were laser focus on their screen and any movement that was taking place throughout the County. One of the Dispatcher some brief examples of some the calls that are received throughout the year. As this part of our tour was coming to a close Sheriff Ward, thanked group for coming today. Each Department representative provided the group with information that was both informative and beneficial to our understanding of Hardin County
Government also the way ahead for the County Government.
During the afternoon the session several Local leaders from around the county participated in a round table discussion. The list of representatives included Toshie Murrell, Radcliff City Council; JJ Duvall, Radcliff Mayor; Selena Hudson, Vine Grove City Council; Richard Ciresi, West Point City Council; Josh Lindholm, Hardin County Jailer; Virgil Willoughly, Elizabethtown City Council; EG Thompson, 6th District Magistrate; Daniel London, Hardin County Government; Jeff Gregory Elizabethtown Mayor; Jenny Oldham, County Attorney; Fred Clem 4 th District Magistrate; Marty Fulkerson, Elizabethtown City Council; Tony Bishop, Elizabethtown City Council; Julia
Springsteen, Elizabethtown City Council; and Lisa Williams, 3 rd District Magistrate. Each Leadership Hardin County team member was asked to provide two questions for the panelist to answer.
