The Kentucky General Assembly took action on a piece of legislation that could affect county and city officials all across the Commonwealth.
In what might be termed last-minute action, lawmakers passed annexation-related legislation. At the heart of the discussion was how to allow for city growth, but not at the financial expense of counties.
Senate President Robert Stivers said representatives of the Kentucky Association of Counties and Kentucky League of Cities met with him multiple times to discuss common issues.
“And they talked through them and they did it in a very professional collegial way. Naturally, you’re going to have some ruffling of feathers. But, in the end, they came to an agreement,” said Stivers.
Madison County Senator Jared Carpenter said the measure calls for an annexation moratorium unless cities and counties are in agreement.
Carpenter noted the measure isn’t a revenue generator for county governments.
“I don’t think it’s going to make a difference on helping them get more tax revenue, but it’s going to keep them from losing it without having some conversations and just losing property that gets annexed with maybe without the county realizing it,” said Carpenter.
The Berea lawmaker said it will mean county-initiated infrastructure improvements and financial benefits won’t be lost through annexation. In his home county, Carpenter added Richmond and Berea have both grown to now be just a few miles away from each other.
The bill’s now in the hands of the governor.
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