Mason County Fiscal Court holds first reading of 2024–25 budget

At a special call meeting May 29, the Mason County Fiscal Court conducted a first reading of its proposed fiscal year 2024–25 budget and agreed to send the draft to the Kentucky Department for Local Government for review. Treasurer Kim Muse read fund totals and described revenue and cost drivers that shaped the draft.

Treasurer Kim Muse, presenting the draft, read a list of fund totals into the record and stated, “It's the first reading of, ordinance 24 0 3, 20 4 20 5 fiscal year budget. In the general fund, we have a total of $90,005,699,866 dollars.” Muse also listed figures for the road fund, jail fund, grants and other funds and the draft “total $27,828,381.28.” The court discussion acknowledged those numbers and noted that some transcripted figures appear inconsistent; the figures above are presented as read aloud at the meeting for transparency and will be reviewed in detail during the county’s formal budget review process.

Muse told the court the draft budget represents an increase of “a little under $3,000,000” from the prior year, with occupational tax receipts accounting for most of the growth. She also cited higher charges for garbage and tipping fees and higher spending for supplies and equipment; she told the court that retirement costs fell this year while insurance costs rose. On insurance, Muse said the county experienced its lowest claims in recent years, which helped control county premiums this year despite broader national increases “because of mother nature.”

The presiding official said the court intends to rebuild county reserves and aim for a $4 million–$5 million range, and to consider future policies or automatic austerity measures to maintain that reserve level. The court agreed to approve the first reading at this meeting procedurally, to transmit the draft to the Kentucky Department for Local Government for review and sign‑off, and to reconvene on June 11 to address questions and finalize the budget.

Next steps: the draft will be reviewed by the Kentucky Department for Local Government; court members will meet again on June 11 to consider comments and to complete the budget process.