April is County Government Month, and we’re celebrating with a month-long initiative to explain what your local county government does for you. Let’s get into it!

Here’s what you need to know:

• Boone County was formed in 1798.
• The Judge/Executive and three County Commissioners are elected every four years to represent citizens of Boone County.
• Roughly 15 County departments provide services and resources to more than 140,000 residents in Boone County.

Governing the County
Boone County was formed by the Kentucky legislature in December 1789. The first official meeting of the local government was held in June of the following year. (We’re celebrating the 225^th anniversary of that first meeting this summer!)

Today, Boone County is governed by a Fiscal Court, made up of a Judge/Executive and three County Commissioners. Powers and duties of a fiscal court are outlined by state statute (KRS 67.080) and include:

• Appropriate funds for lawful purposes.
• Buy and sell county property.
• Supervise fiscal (financial) affairs of the county and county officers.
• Maintain accurate fiscal records.
• Exercise all corporate powers of the county.
• Investigate all activities of county government.
• Establish appointed offices and define their duties.
• Appropriate money for the various purposes required by law.
• Provide for the construction, operation and maintenance of county buildings, roads and other property.
• Provide for the incarceration of persons arrested in the county.
• Adopt an administrative code for the county.

Fiscal courts also have the authority to:

• Enact ordinances (county laws).
• Issue regulations.
• Levy taxes.
• Issue bonds.
• Appropriate funds.
• Employee personnel in the performance of public functions.

It’s a lengthy list, but what does it really mean? The Fiscal Court must discuss, vote on, and approve (or deny) issues related to these responsibilities.

Recent examples of this authority include:

• Purchasing land for a new home base for Boone County Water Rescue.
• Lowering the property tax rate to 0.096% for 2023/2024.
• Approving the use of CARES funding to bring broadband internet to nearly every single-family residence in Boone County.
• Reviewing, adjusting and approving the County Budget. (We are currently entering the FY 24/25 Budget Season.)
• Voting to establish the state’s first Transportation Improvement District (TID).
• Committing to a public/private funding partnership to build the Ron and Sherrie Lou Noel Boone County Animal Shelter.
• Approving the hire of all new personnel employed by the Fiscal Court and County Departments.
• Approving funds to continue Rural Water
• Approving funds to widen Porter Road as part of the County’s Rural Road Program that addresses safety issues on select rural roads in Boone County.
• Approving county ordinances, including those relating to golf carts, zoning matters, and the sale of alcoholic beverages.

Stay informed on what’s happening in Boone County. Sign up for our email newsletter.

Today, the Fiscal Court includes:

• Judge/Executive Gary W. Moore
• Cathy Flaig, Commissioner – District 1
• Chet Hand, Commissioner – District 2
• Jesse Brewer, Commissioner – District 3

County Departments 101
While the Fiscal Court is responsible for the big picture items that impact the county and ensuring all laws related to the running of the county are followed, the day-to-day operations largely fall on the Judge/Executive, county leadership and staff of Boone County Government.

There are more than 15 departments under the purview of the Fiscal Court that are responsible for improving and maintaining our residents’ quality of life.

Departments include:

• County Administration
• County Treasurer/Finance
• Animal Care & Control
• Assisted Housing
• Building Department
• Community Services and Programs
• Emergency Management
• Golf Courses
• Human Resources
• Information Systems
• Occupational Licensing
• Parks
• Property Maintenance
• Public Safety Communications Center
• Public Works
• Solid Waste
• Water Rescue

Next week, we’ll share more details on these county departments and introduce your elected officials on the Boone County Fiscal Court.