Fiscal Court Approves $64 Million Budget, Including 2.9 Percent Raise
File Photo: Kentucky State Seal in the courtroom at Mercer County Fiscal Courthouse.
Robert Moore
Herald Staff
[email protected]
The Mercer County Fiscal Court gave second reading to a budget with appropriations of more than $64 million for the 2026 fiscal year, which starts July 1. The budget is a significant increase over the 2025 fiscal year of $41 million and 2024 budget of $22 million.
At the fiscal court’s regular meeting on Tuesday, June 10, the magistrates also approved a salary schedule for the 2026 fiscal year which includes a 2.9 percent salary increase for all county employees.
County officials have stressed a lot of the budget consists of money that is being passed through the fiscal court, such as $11.8 million in state funding for the Wilkinson Farm Industrial Park, which accounts for a little over 18.5 percent of the budget, according to county documents. Nearly a third of the entire budget—more than $22.7 million—is for bonding and debt service on different projects.
In specific line items, a little over 50 percent of the budget—more than $32 million—goes to the general fund, with a little over 19 percent—more than $12.2 million—in payroll and net profit taxes.
