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Citizen Portal News Kentucky
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Bourbon County commissioners are scrambling to address a shocking budget shortfall in the sheriff's fund, raising questions about financial oversight and future planning.

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#BourbonCounty #KY #RevenueTransparency #LawEnforcementFunding #BudgetAccountability #CitizenPortal
Special meeting planned after commissioners find sheriff's operating fund over budget
Commissioners scheduled a special meeting to publish and act on a budget amendment after finance reports showed the sheriff's public‑safety fund exceeded adopted budget levels; a finance consultant on the phone said revenue reimbursements for inmate housing have offset some costs but formal action is needed.
citizenportal.ai
December 21, 2025 at 5:36 AM
Bourbon County is taking a bold step by recommending a one-year moratorium on new utility-scale energy projects to ensure a comprehensive plan is in place before moving forward.

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#BourbonCounty #KY #CommunityPlanning #EnergyPolicy #SustainableDevelopment #CitizenPortal
Bourbon County planning commission unanimously recommends one‑year moratorium on utility‑scale energy and certain industrial uses
The Bourbon County Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend that the County Commissioners adopt a temporary, one‑year moratorium on new utility‑grade energy generation and storage projects (including wind, solar, battery storage), crypto mining, data centers and certain waste‑disposal operations while the county develops a comprehensive plan and zoning code.
citizenportal.ai
December 21, 2025 at 5:27 AM
The Clark County Board of Education just made big moves, approving a new school calendar, funding for roof renovations, and $5,000 to send student competition winners to a national contest—all while celebrating impressive test score gains!

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#KY #EducationReform
Clark County board approves calendar, construction work and $5,000 for national student competition; district celebrates test-score gains
The Clark County Board of Education unanimously approved the 2027–28 calendar, geotechnical work for athletic fields (one member recused), construction documents for roof projects, change orders that credited $11,199.45 back to the district, and up to $5,000 funding for students to attend a national Amazing Shake competition. Presentations highlighted district gains on the Kentucky Summative Assessment.
citizenportal.ai
December 21, 2025 at 3:18 AM
Tensions flared at the Clark County Board of Education as a parent demanded a review of school performance content over inappropriate lyrics, while allegations of criminal investigations against board members added fuel to the fire.

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#KY #EducationReform #CivicAccountability
Public commenters raise objections to school performance content and allege board investigation
At a December Clark County Board of Education meeting, residents urged review of school performance material over profanity in an RDC production and a parent representative alleged two board members were under criminal investigation; the board chair said the county attorney had no information to confirm that claim.
citizenportal.ai
December 21, 2025 at 3:13 AM
Carroll County officials are gearing up to regulate utility-scale solar projects amid buzz that companies are eyeing local land for development.

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#CarrollCounty #KY #RenewableEnergy #CarrollCountySolar #SustainableDevelopment #LocalGovernance #CitizenPortal
Carroll County discusses drafting solar ordinance amid reports of developer interest
Commissioners reviewed a draft solar ordinance compiled from other counties and a state agency draft, citing rumors that solar companies are looking to buy land locally and recommending a work session in January to review and refine the draft.
citizenportal.ai
December 20, 2025 at 10:47 PM
The historic Boyle County courthouse clock tower is under threat as engineers warn of severe structural issues that could lead to costly renovations and courtroom disruptions.

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#BoyleCounty #KY #BoyleCountyCourthouse #HistoricPreservation #StructuralEngineering
Engineer: Boyle County courthouse clock tower load and truss issues may require courtroom work; court to seek architect
Poe Engineering reported the courthouse clock tower places excessive loads on an aging queen‑post truss; engineer recommended involving a preservation architect and possible steel reinforcement; the upstairs courtroom may be unusable during repairs and tax credits were discussed as an offset.
citizenportal.ai
December 20, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Teachers in Boone County are rallying for paid parental leave, emphasizing that the current system leaves new parents facing financial strain and time constraints.

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#KY #TeacherSupport #PolicyReform #ParentalLeave #CitizenPortal
Boone County speakers press board to adopt paid parental leave; board holds first reading of sick-leave policy tied to KRS 161.155
Teachers and employees urged the board to adopt paid parental/maternity leave under Kentucky Senate Bill 9; the board conducted a first reading of a proposed sick-leave policy that would offer options to reduce future pension liabilities under KRS 161.155 and requested further budget and legal review.
citizenportal.ai
December 20, 2025 at 10:24 PM
A major upgrade is on the horizon for the county's dispatch center, expanding radio coverage from one to five towers to ensure seamless communication for first responders, even during disasters!

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#PaducahCityMcCrackenCounty #KY #EmergencyResponse #PaducahDispatch #PublicSafety
Dispatch center to expand radio network to five towers for countywide coverage
Officials discussed replacing dispatch-center consoles and adding four towers (from one to five) to bring handheld radio coverage countywide and meet a 95% reliability target; shelters, generators and fuel sources will be installed at each site for redundancy. A completion timeline was not provided.
citizenportal.ai
December 20, 2025 at 6:47 PM
The Elizabethtown City Council made significant strides on December 8, updating sewer rates, confirming key appointments, and making decisions on local projects that could shape the community's future.

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#ElizabethtownHardinCounty #KY #CommunityPlanning #ElizabethtownCouncil
Elizabethtown council adopts sewer-rate amendment, reappoints members and approves small project changes
At its Dec. 8 special meeting the Lisonbee City Council adopted an amendment to sewer rates, reappointed members to local boards, rejected an outdoor venue bid, and approved small change orders and inspection contracts for local projects. The council then went into closed session on real property and litigation.
citizenportal.ai
December 20, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Elizabethtown is taking a major step towards becoming its own primary 911 dispatch center with a new $2.2 million contract with Motorola, unlocking significant savings in the process!

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#ElizabethtownHardinCounty #KY #CommunityInnovation #EmergencyResponse #PublicSafety
Elizabethtown council authorizes mayor to sign Motorola contract, advancing city toward primary 911 dispatch
The council authorized the mayor to sign a Motorola radio/console contract that staff said will move Elizabethtown toward becoming a primary PSAP; the quoted system price was $2.2 million with $850,000 already allocated and a $130,631 signing incentive. The council approved immediate authorization to lock pricing.
citizenportal.ai
December 20, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Scott County is poised to accelerate its broadband expansion by approving a significant drawdown of federal grant funds, but it all hinges on federal approval!

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#ScottCounty #KY #CommunityConnect #DigitalInclusion #ScottCountyBroadband #FederalFunding #CitizenPortal
Scott County authorizes conditional early closeout and drawdown for broadband grant
The fiscal court approved a conditional early closeout and drawdown of broadband grant funds, pending federal approval: $765,600 payable to Charter and $61,600 reimbursed to Scott County for grant administration, with final action contingent on NIST/NTIA acceptance.
citizenportal.ai
December 20, 2025 at 11:28 AM
The Jefferson County Board of Education has postponed critical decisions on school closures and relocations, igniting passionate pleas from community members to preserve Liberty High's legacy.

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#KY #EducationReform #CommunityInput #CitizenPortal #SchoolClosures
Board postpones vote on three consent items including proposed Liberty closures after community comment
The board agreed to remove and postpone consent items involving school relocations, consolidation of King Elementary and closure of Zachary Taylor, and proposed closures of Liberty Middle and High School, and asked Superintendent Yearwood to provide additional rationale and impact details by Dec. 23 for the Jan. 20 meeting. Community speakers, including a longtime Liberty advocate, urged the board to preserve Liberty High.
citizenportal.ai
December 17, 2025 at 4:18 AM
Woodford County is on the brink of major zoning changes aimed at preventing farmland fragmentation and aligning with state laws, but committee members are calling for more data before making a final decision.

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#WoodfordCounty #KY #RuralDevelopment #ZoningAmendments #CitizenPortal
Woodford County planning director revisits text amendments to curb farm fragmentation and tighten in-family conveyances
Director Steve Hunter presented proposed revisions to zoning articles 2 and 7 to align definitions with state law, adjust in-family conveyance rules, and reduce potential lot fragmentation; committee members asked for more verified parcel data before final action.
citizenportal.ai
December 17, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Pulaski County is taking bold steps to enhance its disaster response with a new emergency operations plan and a push for a countywide shelter network after facing devastating tornadoes and floods this year.

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#PulaskiCounty #KY #EmergencyShelter #DisasterResponse
Pulaski County emergency manager briefs court on FEMA reimbursements, shelter plans and EOC expansion
Emergency management director Chris Mason told the Fiscal Court the county now has a state‑approved emergency operations plan, expects FEMA reimbursements (including $222,585.50 for three road projects), and urged the creation of a countywide shelter network and EOC mobile expansion to protect thousands living in mobile homes.
citizenportal.ai
December 17, 2025 at 1:22 AM
Barren County is taking a bold step towards agricultural growth by approving a feasibility study for a new grain elevator, with no local tax dollars on the line!

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#BarrenCounty #KY #EconomicDevelopment #CommunityOutreach #AgriculturalInnovation #CitizenPortal
Fiscal Court approves operator selection and funding pursuit for grain elevator feasibility study
Barren County Fiscal Court voted to accept a respondent to be the operator-of-record for a feasibility study of a proposed grain elevator and authorized pursuing agricultural economic-development grant funding; court emphasized no county tax dollars would be used for the study phase.
citizenportal.ai
December 17, 2025 at 12:15 AM
The Jefferson County Board of Education faces a staggering $2.5 billion in deferred maintenance needs, sparking urgent calls for new revenue and tighter procurement standards to protect federal funds and worker rights.

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#KY #WorkerProtection #FiscalTransparency
Task force flags need for new revenue as vendors and workers raise procurement and contract concerns
A revenue task force told the board deferred-maintenance needs may total $2.5 billion and the district must identify $132 million in cuts; public speakers — including enrichment vendors and worker advocates — urged prompt contract approvals and strengthened procurement standards to protect federal funds and worker protections.
citizenportal.ai
December 17, 2025 at 12:07 AM
Dr. Yearwood revealed promising improvements in Jefferson County's schools, yet emphasized the need for targeted support as the district still lags behind state averages.

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#KY #EducationReform #StudentSupport #AccountabilityData #CitizenPortal
JCPS superintendent presents accountability data showing gains but district remains below state averages
Superintendent Dr. Yearwood told the Jefferson County Board of Education that proficiency rates rose in several subjects and graduation remained high, but the district still trails state averages; he urged focus on foundational literacy, attendance, and supports for schools needing additional assistance.
citizenportal.ai
December 16, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Woodford County's budget committee unanimously backs $1.5M for the sheriff and over $1.2M for the county clerk, paving the way for crucial operational funding in 2026!

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#WoodfordCounty #KY #CommunitySafety #GovernmentAccountability #PublicFinance #WoodfordCountyBudgets
Woodford County committee recommends 2026 budgets for sheriff and county clerk
The Woodford County budget and finance committee voted unanimously to recommend the sheriff’s $1.532 million 2026 budget and the county clerk’s $1.202 million 2026 budget to the full fiscal court and approved associated annual order allowances.
citizenportal.ai
December 16, 2025 at 9:23 PM
The Owensboro City Commission just approved crucial appointments, granted cost-of-living adjustments for pension plans, and is now diving into a closed session for a potential business proposal.

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#OwensboroCityDaviessCounty #KY #BudgetTransparency #PensionReform
Owensboro commission approves appointments and pensions, introduces budget amendment and votes to enter closed session
The commission approved multiple board appointments and personnel hires, approved 2.8% COLAs for two closed legacy pension plans covering a total of 28 remaining annuitants, heard a first reading of a budget amendment that includes a grant-funded police officer and approved the October financial report; it then voted to enter a closed session under 61.811(g) to discuss a business proposal.
citizenportal.ai
December 13, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Madison County Haven of Hope is on the brink of opening an emergency overnight shelter, but they need the community's support to make it happen!

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#RichmondCityMadisonCounty #KY #EmergencyShelter #CommunityVolunteers #HousingSupport #CitizenPortal #RichmondCity
Local nonprofits say Haven of Hope has secured a shelter property and ask for community support
Speakers at public comment said Madison County Haven of Hope has signed to acquire a property and aims to open an emergency overnight shelter within weeks, while nonprofit partners described a housing continuum and volunteer and funding needs.
citizenportal.ai
December 12, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Richmond is transforming a 190-acre agricultural site into a heavy industrial zone, fueled by a $2 million grant and plans for high-paying jobs!

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#RichmondCityMadisonCounty #KY #EconomicDevelopment #JobCreation #IndustrialInnovation #CitizenPortal #RichmondCity
Commission adopts rezoning of 495 Duncannon Lane to spur industrial development
The Richmond Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted Ordinance 25-27 on second reading to rezone 495 Duncannon Lane (190 acres) from agriculture to heavy industry, citing a $2 million state PDI grant, a city match and plans for utilities and industrial-ready sites.
citizenportal.ai
December 12, 2025 at 5:17 AM