The Trigg County Fiscal Court unanimously passed its first reading of the 2022-23 fiscal year tax code Monday night — which included a one-cent reduction of public service program-real, ambulance district-real and ambulance district-personal property taxes.
More commonly known as “the hospital and ambulance tax,” this drops all three codes down from 10 cents to nine. Judge-Executive Hollis Alexander noted the continued success of Trigg County Hospital and its rebound from deficit — coupled with increasing assessed values — allowed for the trimming.
There is considerable hope to eventually either drastically minimize or zero out the tax altogether, particularly as hospital revenues and property values continue to see gains.
Magistrate Mike Wright, who also serves as the county’s representative on the Trigg County Hospital Board, said it was “a credit” to CEO John Sumner and the hospital staff.
The tax rate will become law, should it pass second reading on September 6.
In other fiscal court news:
— Stan Humphries, Trigg County’s in-waiting judge-executive, was unanimously appointed to the Pennyrile West Park Board, which Alexander explained has a unique story.
Just last week, Lake Barkley Economic Development Director Amanda Davenport shared with the Caldwell County Fiscal Court precisely what this board is.
Developed under Governor Paul Patton’s administration, a 500-acre parcel of property was contained just north of the prison farm in Lyon County along KY 641, which would be used for industrial development.
Davenport noted that the judge-executives from Livingston, Lyon, Trigg, Caldwell and Crittenden were self-appointees to the board of this mega-site because of the potential impact. But for years, activity has been dormant. However, exploration has returned. In 2018, the entire site was deemed in a flood plain by FEMA officials, and a meeting just last week brought everyone back to the table for renewed discussion.
— Magistrates approved a one-year contract for the emergency notification system “Hyper-Reach” at nearly $5,000. Alexander noted the county is no longer an affiliate of “Code Red.”
Alexander noted that Caldwell County’s emergency team has already vetted the company, and $1,000 cheaper than “Code Red.”
