Boyle County tax rates that residents will pay in 2020 will be slightly lower in some categories than they were in 2019.

The reason is that the county and other taxing districts chose to take the compensating rates allowed by law to keep its revenue about the same as the previous year.

“The appraisals went up which makes the compensating rate go down,” said County Treasurer Mary Conley.

“Assessments have gone up so that’s just a blessing in itself,” she said.

Boyle magistrates agreed with Conley’s recommendation to lower the tax rates in 2020 from the 2019 rates in the following categories. All rates are based on per $100:

• Real property; 6.7 down from 6.8;
• Personal property; 7.8 down from 8.4;
• Distilled spirits; 7.8 down from 8.41;
• Aircraft; 7.8 down from 8.41;
• Watercraft; 7.8 down from 8.41;
• Agricultural products; remained the same at 4.5;
• Motor vehicle; 6.9

Conley gave the example that a homeowner of a $100,000 home will pay $67 per every $100 on real estate tax. Last year they paid $68 per every $100.

Other taxing agencies which also took compensating rates presented their rates to fiscal court on Tuesday were:

• Conservation District; remained the same at 1 cent;
• Extension Service; 6.543 on real estate, 15.3893 on personal, and 1.3 on motor vehicle;
• Library: 7.9 on real estate; 9.93 for personal; and 3.5 motor vehicle;
• Boyle County Fire District; 10 cents
• Hotel; 3% of the room rate.

 

In other business:

• Birthplace of Kentucky Committee member Ben Miles asked the court and was granted his request to waive insurance and fees for non-profit organizations that want to use the park for events that will draw in less than 50 people at a time. Judge-executive Howard Hunt said he supported the fiscal court’s decision. “That’s what the park is for,” he said.

Miles also asked the court to look into installing 10 to 12 small video surveillance cameras around the park to enhance security. The court agreed to look into the cost and overseeing of the security cameras.

• The court approved the second reading of an ordinance to establish an Energy Project Assessment District which helps corporations finance large energy conservation projects.
• Conservation District Board Chair Allen Goggin told the court that the local dead animal removal and composting situation still needed to be addressed. “We still need to work on this problem.”