Judge Gabbard Discusses Finances

As we approach the end of the fiscal year, we have to be frugal with our finances. We have had so much storm damage to roads, culverts and bridges, equipment problems as well as County owned facility issues that we have stressed what little money we have left in our budget. The end of the fiscal year and the beginning of the next is always the toughest for a county government. It is when you have the least amount of operational money to work with. 

I have numerous requests daily for a variety of issues. We address issues as we are able. It's not always received well but we can't spend what we don't have. I apologize as I realize this can be frustrating but I'd rather be honest than try to create a false hope. Magistrates have requests they receive as well and they are of importance to them so we have to collaborate on how we can best find a solution. Oftentimes those solutions are not popular but that is why we vote on them and discuss them as a Fiscal Court. 

I have always tried to be open and honest about our financial situation since I have been serving as Judge Executive. We have more responsibilities now financially than we have ever had. Some requests I get are feasible to address and some are not. 

I have talked with several other community leaders around us. Many counties that are similar in size to Jackson County are seeing the same issues. More requests than money to fulfill them. We can not compare ourselves fairly to bigger counties such as Madison and Laurel. The population in those counties alone dwarf the population in Jackson, Estill and Clay counties put together and so does their tax revenue. 

We all want to see Jackson County grow and prosper as well as have new opportunities. I am thankful for what improvements we have seen over the years. The last thing we want is to see businesses struggle. Unfortunately, we have seen several close their doors as they have not been able to make it in a small community and in an ever changing economic climate. It is hard for a business to locate in an area where the revenue may not exceed the cost of operations. 

When people ask me why I haven't been able to have bigger businesses locate and operate here I try to explain to them that the decision is not solely up to me. If the community does not seem that it would fit the company's criteria then they probably won't locate here, no matter the incentive we offer them to come. We have reached out to many larger corporations, even had the Kentucky Economic Development Cabinet assist us with this but just haven't had any commit yet. All I know to do is continue trying. 

One thing that I believe will help in the long run is we have to work together as a County. We have had a sense of division for too long. We are more than just McKee, Sand Gap, Gray Hawk, Tyner and Annville, we are Jackson County. If something does happen that improves one area of the County it eventually will improve the County as a whole. If a big job provider does locate in one community, as long as it's in Jackson County it will help the whole County. If we allow this to happen, we will make big strides towards economic and community development. 

Have a blessed week.