First reading of a $45.7 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year was approved Tuesday morning by Christian Fiscal Court.
Judge-Executive Steve Tribble reiterated on multiple occasions that are no proposed tax increases in the spending plan that includes grant funds for renovations of the library and on the roof of the courthouse.
It also includes $13 million for the project in cooperation with Hopkinsville Electric System and Pennyrile Electric to expand fiber broadband throughout the county.
Funds are allotted to the Boys and Girls Club to expand offerings on Friday and Saturday night programming.
County employees will see a 5 percent cost of living adjustment in the budget.
Meanwhile, District 6 Magistrate Philip Peterson voiced concerns about the current make-up of the Hopkinsville-Christian County ECC Board that oversees operations that are join-funded by the city and county.
He says when the current contract runs out with the city, he wants to see the board reconstructed to include more representation of county agencies.
Magistrates approved applying for $12 million in FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant funds that Christian County Emergency Management Director Randy Graham says could potentially allow the county to install more outdoor tornado sirens and to construct up to 13 tornado shelters in the county.
Christian County Animal Shelter Director Irene Grace says 404 animals were brought into that facility last month and 362 departed to their forever homes.