Bourbon County advisory group finalizes scope for comprehensive-plan RFP, sets 5–6 week proposal window
February 05, 2026 | Bourbon County, Kentucky
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
Bourbon County planning volunteers met Feb. 5 to review a draft request for proposals for a countywide comprehensive plan and agreed on several changes to the document and schedule.
The group discussed whether theRFP should focus on unincorporated areas while still incorporating demographic and growth information from Fort Scott and Uniontown. “This should all be based on unincorporated land,” said Speaker 2, arguing that city-specific zoning falls to the cities themselves. Speaker 1 emphasized that the comprehensive plan is a guiding document, not a regulatory zoning code, saying, “This document is not about controlling it. This is no regulations. It’s basically statistical information.”
Members recommended adding clearer language in the RFP that the scope is countywide guidance while excluding direct city zoning authority; they also asked the consultant to evaluate existing land-use maps, propose revised mapping categories and recommend any additional categories needed for Bourbon County. The draft will be adjusted to request a land-use map and recommendations for revised mapping categories as part of the deliverables.
Public engagement was a recurring topic. The group agreed to strengthen the public outreach section to be “multifaceted” and to coordinate public participation with city planning and zoning commissions. Speaker 1 said the RFP should require a robust outreach program that reaches residents, property owners and business owners.
On timing, members agreed to leave exact publication dates TBA pending input from county commissioners, but they recommended a 5–6 week proposal window after publication to allow firms sufficient time to respond. The group will review proposals, recommend a short list (about three firms) to the county commissioners and then hold interviews with finalists; Speaker 1 said in-person interviews are preferred but some follow-up meetings could be virtual.
The advisory group compiled and discussed a list of prospective consultants to send the RFP to, including regional and local firms such as TransSystems, Confluence, Walker Consultants, Marvin Planning Consultants, Olson and Shockey. Members agreed to finalize the firm list and forward the RFP packet to the county clerk for distribution.
No formal contract award was made at the meeting. The group agreed to make edits to the draft RFP, solicit feedback from county commissioners and return with a revised document and finalized consultant list at the next scheduled meeting.
The meeting also included routine procedural business: a motion to table approval of the December minutes and a motion to adjourn, both recorded without further substantive action on the RFP itself.
The group discussed whether theRFP should focus on unincorporated areas while still incorporating demographic and growth information from Fort Scott and Uniontown. “This should all be based on unincorporated land,” said Speaker 2, arguing that city-specific zoning falls to the cities themselves. Speaker 1 emphasized that the comprehensive plan is a guiding document, not a regulatory zoning code, saying, “This document is not about controlling it. This is no regulations. It’s basically statistical information.”
Members recommended adding clearer language in the RFP that the scope is countywide guidance while excluding direct city zoning authority; they also asked the consultant to evaluate existing land-use maps, propose revised mapping categories and recommend any additional categories needed for Bourbon County. The draft will be adjusted to request a land-use map and recommendations for revised mapping categories as part of the deliverables.
Public engagement was a recurring topic. The group agreed to strengthen the public outreach section to be “multifaceted” and to coordinate public participation with city planning and zoning commissions. Speaker 1 said the RFP should require a robust outreach program that reaches residents, property owners and business owners.
On timing, members agreed to leave exact publication dates TBA pending input from county commissioners, but they recommended a 5–6 week proposal window after publication to allow firms sufficient time to respond. The group will review proposals, recommend a short list (about three firms) to the county commissioners and then hold interviews with finalists; Speaker 1 said in-person interviews are preferred but some follow-up meetings could be virtual.
The advisory group compiled and discussed a list of prospective consultants to send the RFP to, including regional and local firms such as TransSystems, Confluence, Walker Consultants, Marvin Planning Consultants, Olson and Shockey. Members agreed to finalize the firm list and forward the RFP packet to the county clerk for distribution.
No formal contract award was made at the meeting. The group agreed to make edits to the draft RFP, solicit feedback from county commissioners and return with a revised document and finalized consultant list at the next scheduled meeting.
The meeting also included routine procedural business: a motion to table approval of the December minutes and a motion to adjourn, both recorded without further substantive action on the RFP itself.
View the Full Meeting & All Its Details
This article offers just a summary. Unlock complete video, transcripts, and insights as a Founder Member.
✓
Watch full, unedited meeting videos
✓
Search every word spoken in unlimited transcripts
✓
AI summaries & real-time alerts (all government levels)
✓
Permanent access to expanding government content
30-day money-back guarantee
