CHRISTIAN COUNTY, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Christian County Judge Executive Jerry Gilliam gave a budget address on May 7, providing information about the county’s revenue and expenses for the upcoming fiscal year.
“We are in a good spot folks, and I certainly want everyone to feel comfortable knowing that our county is secure financially and that we will continue to be good stewards of that dollar,” said Gilliam to present county and state representatives. The 2026-27 budget is higher than last fiscal year, rising from $52 million to $60.8 million. There is an overall 3% increase in operational costs which includes raises for county employees.
The Christian County Fiscal Court is required to fund specific operations such as the sheriff’s department, jail, animal shelter, the coroner along with county roads and buildings. As far as how the funds are being allocated, Gilliam explained that $6.1 million is being designated to public safety. This includes $1.6 million toward the Christian County Jail and $3.9 million for the Christian County Sheriff’s Office.
Acquisition of Commerce Park II
Gilliam explained that the proposed budget is a significant increase from last fiscal year in part because of $17 million in state funding that was awarded as a loan to permit the county to purchase the Commerce Park II industrial site.
This influx of funding is an interest free, ten-year loan from the Kentucky State Budget Reserve Trust Fund, part of House Bill 900 through the partnership of local state legislators. This will give the county full control of incoming industry at that location.
“It’s going to give us breathing room to allow Christian County to select the right industry to come to Christian County,” said Gilliam. “As it exists today, we are in a situation where any industry could come, and we would have to sell…this will allow us to make the right decision for increasing jobs and opportunities.”
He emphasized that food processing and food manufacturing seems to be a reliable industry for the area given the current development of Kitchen Foods Co. and the existing Continental Mills. He said, “In a recession, people stop buying automobiles. In a recession, no one stops eating.”
Capital projects in the budget
The previously announced plan to redevelop the entire block around the Christian County Courthouse has not been forgotten. The entire project would cost around $50 million, and would include constructing a parking structure, upgrading facilities to be ADA compliant, and modernizing the courthouse and nearby buildings.
Gililam said this will definitely be a phased project, starting with some upgrades at the courthouse this fiscal year. The county has pursued a hefty grant through the federal government for this project and will be hearing about the status of that shortly.
“That’s a bite that I don’t believe this fiscal court is ready to take on as far as self-funding. We are certainly going to have to lean on our partners at the state and federal government to look at it and help us make that decision to improve downtown Hopkinsville,” he said. “Assure that we are working on it and we continue to push forward to secure funding for that.”
The following are one-time capital expenses from the general fund of the proposed budget.
- Upgrading county buildings: $190,000
- Library improvements: $50,000
- Animal shelter renovation/upgrade: $362,000
- Western Hills Golf Course upgrade/improvements: $125,000
- Pickleball court/improvements at Ruff Park: $150,000
- Alhambra Theater audio system upgrades: $50,000
- Radio system: $559,000
- HVAC RCC/Jail: $300,000
- Road fund: $345,855
- Jail upgrades: $214,842
- Sanctuary Inc. new development: $100,000
The fiscal court will have a first reading of the proposed budget during the next meeting. It will then go to the state and will return for final approval in June. The new fiscal year starts July 1.
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