A meeting of the Russell County, Kentucky, Fiscal Court on September 14, 2026. County Judge Executive Randy Marcum presiding.

Russell County Fiscal Court Honors Fallen Deputy, Sets Tax Rates, and Addresses Infrastructure & Solar Construction

Quick 10-Second Takeaway

  • Deputy Josh Phipps Honored: September 16 declared Deputy Josh Phipps Day of Remembrance and Honor.
  • Tax Rates Maintained or Lowered: Public Library adopted the compensating rate of 5.8¢, while Russell County Hospital held its rate at 4.6¢ despite an ongoing $32M facility expansion.
  • Road & Equipment Upgrades: Reviewed state resurfacing plans for KY 1729 and KY 910, approved an interlocal road maintenance agreement with Adair County, and authorized a skid steer purchase for the transfer station.
  • Solar Construction Concerns: Mount Olive residents raised urgent safety and property damage concerns regarding solar farm construction traffic.

JAMESTOWN, KY — The Russell County Fiscal Court convened on September 14 for a wide-ranging session marked by solemn tributes, key tax rate decisions, infrastructure updates, and public concerns over local development impact.

The meeting opened with a proclamation designating September 16 as Deputy Josh Phipps Day of Remembrance and Honor. Deputy Phipps lost his life in the line of duty on September 16, 2024. His mother, Pam Phipps, thanked the court and urged community members to keep his memory alive by speaking his name and carrying out simple acts of connection and kindness. The court also marked WJRS Radio’s 60th anniversary, recognizing the Hoover family’s six decades of community broadcasting.

In financial business, local taxing districts presented conservative rates. Russell County Public Library Director Cody Gayhart announced a reduced real property rate of 5.8 cents per $100 of assessed value—the compensating rate—holding county tax revenue steady while opening the new park trail and pavilion on September 18–19. Presenting for the Russell County Hospital, the court approved holding the real property rate at 4.6 cents, lower than the 4.9-cent compensating rate. The hospital has lowered or held the rate steady for three consecutive years while self-funding a $32 million expansion project.

On infrastructure, magistrates reviewed KYTC District 8 asphalt resurfacing plans covering 1.14 miles of KY 1729 and 0.946 miles of KY 910. The court formally approved an interlocal agreement with Adair County allowing Russell County to maintain 5.517 miles of West Sulphur Creek Road. Magistrates also authorized the purchase of a wheeled skid steer ($49,495), extended warranty ($2,320), and dirt bucket grapple ($2,796) for the county transfer station off the state contract bid.

During public comments, a Mount Olive resident raised concerns regarding heavy truck and equipment traffic tied to solar farm development. The resident reported construction crews repeatedly tearing out boundary fences, leaving cattle to roam, and driving aggressively along narrow rural routes. County Attorney Kevin Shearer and local officials advised documenting reckless driving directly through dispatch and pursuing property restitution through the contractor’s commercial insurance carrier.