Wayne County Fiscal Court met Thursday evening, in special session, with all
magistrates and County Judge Executive Scott Gehring presiding.
County Finance Chief Dawn Harmon presented the first reading of the proposed Fiscal
Year July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027 budget totaling $21,181,388 broken down as
follows:
General Fund $9,831,190
Road Fund $2,963,600
Jail Fund $2,925,207
Local Government Economic Assistance Fund $127,212
Emergency Management Fund $23,514
Timberland Fund $8,005
Opioid Settlement Fund $257,689
Community Development Block Grant Senior Citizens
Building Fund $750,000
Natural Gas Fund $4,057,900
Alcohol Beverage Control Fund $91,734
County Clerk Permanent Storage Fees Fund $145,337
Magistrates also heard and approved both the second reading of Amendment 8 to the
FY ‘26 budget, increasing both revenue and expenditures by $109,855, and the
second reading of Amendment 9 to the FY ‘26 budget, increasing revenue and
expenditures by $750,000.
Magistrates approved the annual county road agreement with the state totaling
$1,262,900.
Wayne County Conservation District presented their budget in the amount of
$298,892.
The court approved financing for a new ambulance in the amount of $160,000 over
five years through Citizens National Bank at 4.75% interest, contingent upon there
being no fees associated with the loan.
Wayne County Alcohol Beverage Control Administrator Shelbi Mitchell presented her
monthly report, reflecting $2,415 in fees collected. Mitchell reported that a special
temporary license had been approved for an upcoming event, while two alcohol
license applications remain under review. Two compliance checks were also
conducted.
On recommendation of Judge-Executive Scott Gehring, the court approved the
reappointment of David Worley and Jacob Keeton to the airport board.
Several opioid settlement funding requests were approved. Rise Mental Health
received $500, Operation UNITE was awarded $3,000, Wayne County Detention
Center received $1,500 and Hooked on Fishing event received $1,500. In addition,
Cumberland Elite was awarded $250 in ABC funds to promote anti-drunk driving
awareness.
Wayne County Jailer Ronnie Ellis presented the jail’s monthly report. The jail
generated $156,737 in March and billed $119,045 during April. Ellis reported that 123
new inmates were booked in during April, while 86 were released. Ellis ask for and
magistrates approved adoption of new Kentucky Association of Counties model
policies regarding restraining device use and denial of admission for prisoners who are
unconscious, suffering from serious illness or injury, or who register a breath alcohol
concentration of. .28 or higher. Ellis also reported that Westley Cook and Paul
Thurman resigned from full-time positions in April, while Jadon Jenkins was promoted
from part-time to full-time status.
Wayne County EMS Director Sherwin Corder reported 324 calls for service during
April, including 227 within the city and 97 throughout the county. EMS billed $344,414
and collected $110,220 in payments during the month. Corder informed magistrates
that EMS had undergone a state inspection and passed with no deficiencies.
Judge-Executive Gehring presenting a plaque honoring Tony Jones for 47 years of
service to Wayne County government upon his retirement.