Fiscal court discusses budget, agreement with city
A first reading of the county budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year was conducted at the Laurel County Fiscal Court's meeting Monday morning.
The funds, which are subject to change before official adoption at the next meeting, are as follows:
General Fund — $17,227,565
Road Fund — $5,698,780
Jail Fund — $13,841,000
LGEA — $37,020
Forest — $9,003
Occupational Tax Fund — $8,216,324
Opioid Settlement — $1,083,000
LOPC — $6,502
County Clerk Storage Funds — $176,060
These funds come to a grand total of $46,295,254. The motion to approve the reading was made by Magistrate Jeff Book.
Also discussed at the meeting was the agreement between the city and county regarding the London-Laurel County 911 Communications Center. Judge-Executive David Westerfield requested that the agreement be extended for three months to give himself and the magistrates adequate time to review it before submission as it would have been due June 15, and submission is required 30 days in advance. The magistrates approved the extension.
Magistrates additionally approved the MOA (memorandum of agreement) and resolution regarding Durango One, LLC — a business which will be located in the spec building near Ison & Co.
Both the monthly financial report and accounts payables were approved with no discussion, following motions by Magistrate John Crawford which received unanimous support.
Judge Westerfield then shared that he found a 2017 F350 truck from the state to replace another which is having engine-related issues. The purchase of the truck, in the amount of $70,500, was approved by each of the magistrates following a motion by Bobby Overbay.
The cash transfer report included $2,170 from General Fund to Jail Fund — U.S. Marshals Service, and $5,941.44 from General Fund to Jail Fund — U.S. Treasury ICE. The meeting came to adjournment following the report.
The Laurel County Fiscal Court regularly meets at 8:45 a.m. on the second Monday and 9:30 a.m. on the final Thursday of each month. The next meeting will take place Thursday, May 29.
NOTE: This article has been updated to clarify that the LGEA budget is $37,020.
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