January 10th, Leadership Hardin County visited the Government Building at 150 North Provident Way in Elizabethtown. Our day had a fantastic start, Judge Berry enlighten our group with a little history of Hardin County Government. Judge Berry helped the group to understand how the citizens’ tax dollars are spent within Hardin County. The two largest being the Landfill and the Jail estimated at nearly 14 million. Including every election is paid by county government with no restrictions on the voting issue. Either the general, primary, or wet/dry elections. Judge Berry concluded with Hardin County having the lowest tax rate within the Commonwealth.
Kenny Rambo lead the group in a great discussion from where current leaders and elected officials answered the question “What are the top three issues for Hardin County and its future?”
Our tour of the facility was led by Bryce Shumate, Director of Emergency Management for Hardin County. Like many tours, we admired the grand fiscal courtroom, the main lobby, and ending with an overall view of the 911 Dispatch center. The group was astonished by the number of calls received. Mike Leo, Director of 911 answered questions like “How do you know my location when I call 911?” or “Can you assist with CPR if needed?”
Following the tour was our round table discussion with Elected officials. Those joining our round table where:
· Pam Ogdon – Mayor Vinegrove
· Pam J DeRoche – Radcliff City Council
· Marty Fulkerson – Elizabethtown City Council
· JJ Duvall – Mayor Radcliff
· Tonya Seabrooks – Radcliff City Council
· Billy Ash – Mayor West Point
· Roy Easter – Hardin County Magistrate District 1
The main point taken away from both Judge Berry and the Elected officials was change comes with talking to Legislators within State Government to give cities and counties more governance over tax dollars.
Aaron Miller
Network Analyst
Hardin County Government
