MOREHEAD, Ky. — The Rowan County Fiscal Court will meet Tuesday morning, August 18, with a packed agenda that includes discussion of a possible data center moratorium, a budget amendment exceeding $1 million, property tax rates, the Tri-County Animal Shelter and several personnel matters.
The regularly scheduled meeting is set for 8 a.m. at the Rowan County Courthouse.
Among the most notable items under new business is a “Data Center Moratorium Discussion.” The agenda does not provide additional details regarding the scope or duration of a potential moratorium, and the item is listed for discussion rather than as a proposed ordinance or order.
The issue comes as data centers have increasingly become a topic of discussion in communities across Kentucky and elsewhere, particularly regarding land use, infrastructure, electricity and water demands, and economic development.
The Morehead Minute will be watching Tuesday's discussion for additional details about what Rowan County officials are considering.
More Than $1 Million Budget Amendment
Under old business, Fiscal Court is scheduled to consider passage of a $1,042,214.84 budget amendment.
The agenda does not provide a breakdown of the amendment or identify the individual revenues or expenditures included in that amount.
Fiscal Court will also consider an ordinance amending Ordinance 25-19 concerning the Joint Tourism Commission.
County Property Tax Rate Would Decrease Slightly
Fiscal Court is scheduled to consider an order setting Rowan County's 2026 real and personal property tax rates.
The proposed rates listed on the agenda are:
Real property: 6.4 cents per $100 of assessed value, a decrease of one-tenth of a cent.
Personal property: 7.1 cents per $100 of assessed value, unchanged.
The court will also consider setting the county's 2027 motor vehicle and watercraft tax rates at 8 cents per $100 of assessed value, with no change in either rate.
Fiscal Court is additionally scheduled to accept tax rates established by the Rowan County Public Library. Those rates are listed as 8.9 cents per $100 for real property and 11.11 cents per $100 for personal property, both unchanged.
The library's 2027 motor vehicle and watercraft tax rates are listed at 3.5 cents per $100, also unchanged.
Tri-County Animal Shelter
Another item listed under new business is simply “Tri-County Animal Shelter.”
No additional explanation is included on the published agenda regarding what will be discussed or whether Fiscal Court is expected to take action concerning the shelter.
The court is also scheduled to receive its regular Animal Control Officer report earlier in the meeting.
Manufactured Home Parks and RV Communities
Fiscal Court will conduct the first reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 153 concerning manufactured home parks and RV communities.
Because Tuesday's action is listed as a first reading, additional action would generally be required before the ordinance becomes final.
Hiring, Appointments and Grants
Several personnel and administrative matters are also scheduled for consideration, including a road foreman appointment, a Road Department hire, a Building Inspector Trainee hire and EMS hires.
The court will also consider an Elliottville Volunteer Fire Department grant match, along with resolutions involving a Kentucky Office of Homeland Security grant and an Appalachian Regional Commission grant.
Other agenda items include a Countywide HVAC Preventative Maintenance bid award, budget transfers, the monthly financial statement, consideration of monthly bills and the Rowan County Sheriff's 2025 tax settlement.
Closed Session Possible
Near the end of the meeting, Fiscal Court has scheduled a closed session under KRS 61.810, citing provisions involving discussions of proposed or pending litigation against or on behalf of the public agency and personnel matters.
The agenda does not identify the litigation or personnel matter expected to be discussed.
Fiscal Court will also hear regular reports from the county finance director, road foreman, county jailer, Environmental Services director, Animal Control officer and EMS director, along with communications from Rowan County Judge/Executive Harry Clark and a period for public comment.
Committee meetings are scheduled to be held immediately following the Fiscal Court meeting.
The Morehead Minute will continue following Tuesday's meeting and report on significant action taken by the Rowan County Fiscal Court.
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