ELKINS, HALE SCORE BIG BUDGET WINS
FOR BATH AND MENIFEE COUNTIES
Transformative funding supports local projects and infrastructure upgrades
FRANKFORT, KY (April 10, 2024)—Bath and Menifee Counties will receive significant support for local projects and road improvements thanks to the advocacy of Sen. Greg Elkins, R-Winchester, and Rep. David Hale, R-Wellington.
As provisions of House Bill (HB) 1, Bath County will receive $2 million to support youth baseball fields and Menifee County will receive $3 million to support new athletic fields at the Menifee County Community Park. The funds will be distributed to the local fiscal courts through the Kentucky Department for Local Government. HB 1 leverages Kentucky's $3.7 billion budget reserve trust fund to boost infrastructure and support local projects, among other priorities. The legislation invests over $2.7 billion from the budget reserve trust.
Included in the state's two-year road plan, HB 266, Elkins and Hale helped secure nearly $7 million for Menifee County and over $19.4 million for Bath County for planning, designing, right-of-way obtainment, utility work, and construction of various projects, including:
Bath County
Nearly $6.8 million to support repaving and resurfacing of local roads.
$4 million to improve safety on KY Highway 36 from the intersection with Interstate 64 to the intersection of KY Highway 965, including the curves known as Clear Creek Furnace and Thomas Hill from mile point 13.394 to mile point 17.104.
$1.5 million to realign roadway on US Highway 60 near Owingsville, beginning in the vicinity of Rose Bush Lane and Ending at Wells Road near I-64 exit 123.
$509,000 to support county priority projects. These funds are included in House Joint Resolution (HJR) 92. Bath County projects are on pages 5-6 of the resolution.
Menifee County
$1.4 million to improve safety, correct geometrics and enhance regional connectivity on US Highway 460 from the bridge over Dog Trot Fork at mile point 3.3 to Rothwell.
$1 million to improve safety, correct geometrics and enhance regional connectivity on US Highway 460 from the intersection of KY-1240 to 0.7 miles east of the Morgan County line.
$357,000 to support county priority projects (HJR 92). Menifee County projects are on pages 36-37 of the resolution.
"It's been great working with my friend Rep. Hale during my first session representing the great people of Bath and Menifee Counties. I just want to thank my constituents for allowing me to be their voice in the state Senate," Elkins said.
"Every working Kentuckian or parent of a child understands how important it is to have safe and trusted roadways. I look forward to improving our local roads through these millions in funding. I also look forward to the enjoyment Bath and Menifee County families will get from the baseball field and community park. I thank all my colleagues in the House and Senate who supported the inclusion of these dollars through the state road plan and as provisions in the transformative investments in HB 1."
HJR 91 includes scheduled projects and anticipated needs for the remaining four years of the six-year highway construction plan. Find HJR 91 HERE. Bath County-specific projects can be found on pages 10-12, and Menifee County-specific projects on pages 169-170.
Budget-related bills are still subject to final changes and consideration of gubernatorial line-item vetoes during the final two days of the 2024 Legislative Session: Friday, April 12, and Monday, April 15.
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Sen. Greg Elkins, R-Winchester, represents the 28th Senate District, including Bath, Clark, Menifee, and Montgomery Counties and an eastern portion of Fayette County. Elkins is a member of the Interim Joint Committees on Local Government, State Government, Families and Children, and Health Services. He is a liaison member of the Budget Review Subcommittee on Human Services. Elkins is also an Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee member.
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