Boone County collected $3 million more in occupational license fees than it budgeted this fiscal year, even as real estate tax revenue fell $467,000 short, according to the treasurer's report presented at the Fiscal Court's July 28 meeting.

The figures came from the year-end report, which also showed $4.62 million in golf course revenue and $129 million in cash rollover. The county's total FY2027 budget across all funds is $286.7 million, adopted June 9.

Judge/Executive Gary Moore presided over the meeting at the Boone County Administration Building in Burlington, where the court also approved $706,000 in budget transfers: $525,000 shifted between capital projects and $181,000 moved from reserves for a previously budgeted project.

New hires and appointments

The court appointed Matthew Noll and Savannah Eder as 911 dispatchers for the Public Safety Communication Center and promoted Megan Green to police social worker. Russell Buss was appointed to the Northern Kentucky Board of Health, and Jerry Noran joined the Boone County Building Inspection/Code Appeals board.

Mobile command vehicle grant

Moore was authorized to apply for a Kentucky Office of Homeland Security grant to purchase a mobile command and communications vehicle for the county's Emergency Management department. The grant would be fully reimbursable, with the county covering upfront costs.

Emergency Management Director Kevin Vogelpohl told LINK nky the vehicle would "provide command level operations at the scene of large scale incidents, which we are getting an increasing number of in our county," and serve as a backup if the main dispatch center became unavailable.

Water rescue dock and surplus vehicles

The court approved $75,000 in budgeted funds for a water rescue dock along the Ohio River. The county's share is its 25% match on a $300,067 FEMA Port Security Grant, with the federal government covering $225,050. Washington Marine, a Cincinnati-based company, holds the contract, with completion expected by March 2027.

Three former pursuit vehicles were declared surplus. Two will be auctioned on GovDeals.com; one goes to Madison County police.

Looking ahead

Mr. Mallard raised the question of adopting a code of conduct for elected officials under old business, but no action was taken. Bill Nobel said he is researching e-bike, UTV, and dirt bike use on county streets and preparing a presentation.

A waste tire collection event runs August 20 through August 22. The next Fiscal Court meeting is 8:30 a.m. on August 11 at the Administration Building in Burlington.