By Allyson Dix
For Glasgow News 1
The sheriff’s official receipt for more than $33 million in 2026 property tax bills was acknowledged during a special-called fiscal court meeting on Oct. 30, along with several other items of business on the agenda.
According to the sheriff’s official receipt, Barren County expects $4,191,653 in tax revenue, including more than $3.82 million in real estate tax revenue.
The Barren County Sheriff’s Office will also collect tax payments from the following taxing districts in addition to the county:
State of Kentucky – $4,178,086
Barren County School District – $14,115,020
Caverna School District – $1,336,801
Glasgow School District – $7,429,038
City of Cave City – $209,599
Library – $1,120,028
Extension – $758,158
Austin Tracy Fire – $63,600
Cave City Fire – $71,950
East Barren Fire – $120,350
Fountain Run Fire – $3,700
The City of Glasgow collects its own tax payments from city residents.
In other business, magistrates approved the hiring of four seasonal and two full-time employees for the sheriff’s office. The approval came ahead of an executive order signed by Judge-Executive Jamie Bewley Byrd appointing Adam Bow as Barren County sheriff, effective Nov. 1, 2026.
Current Sheriff Kent Keen announced his early departure, effective Oct. 31, 2026. Bow was elected sheriff in May 2026 during the primary election and is running unopposed in the November general election.
Magistrates also approved the lowest of four bids for work on low water fords along Glover Road. Two magistrates opposed the lowest bid, Derek Pedigo and Tim Durham. Magistrates Tim Coomer, Marty Kinslow, Ronnie Stinson, and Brad Groce voted in favor of taking the lower bid, totaling $186,900. Magistrate Jeff Botts was absent.
Officials said FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) funds for the project have already been received.
Magistrates approved to start accepting bids for the project on Oct. 20.
The court also approved a Search and Rescue Aid Fund contract for $6,770 for fiscal year 2027 and a contract with Kentucky Emergency Management related to a disaster grant from Winter Storm Fern.
The Barren County Fiscal Court also approved $71,346 in payments and invoices:
CAT Financial – $2,494.35
Pedigo-Lessenberry Insurance Agency – $8,276.34 for new sheriff bonding
Aramark – $8,280.36, for jail inmate meals
Thomas Oil and Fuel – $12,866.32, fuel for the sheriff’s office
Enterprise – $39,429 for lease contracts
Additionally, magistrates approved $25,701.43 in outstanding vendor claims dated Oct. 22 through Oct. 29.
The next regular fiscal court meeting is Nov. 17, 2026, at 9 a.m.
