In each of our families there always seems to be “too much month left at the end of the money.”  Governments at all levels experience the same problem – too many needs and wants for the available resources.  That is why, just like at home, elected leaders must prioritize needs and wants while operating government more efficiently and effectively. 

Over three years ago I inherited a $28.2M county budget with almost one-third of it balanced through the obligation of over $9M of county reserves (savings).  At the completion of the 2002/2003 budget year (six months into this four year term) we actually used only $2.6M of the $9M from general fund savings account originally programmed to be spent – a 70% reduction in the deficit spending planned by the previous fiscal court. 

The following year, the first full year of this term, we completed the 2003/2004 budget year by reducing general reserve spending by another 50% - down to $1.2M.  Subsequently, just thirty months after taking office, we were able to reduce the actual use of general reserves to virtually ZERO at completion of the 2004/2005 budget year! 

This year we closed out the 2005/2006 fiscal year budget with NO spending from general reserves!  In fact, we were able to contribute over $21,000 to the county’s general reserve savings account.  All of this has been accomplished over the last three plus years with no reductions or eliminations to county services and programs and no increases to county tax rates!

During this term of office, Hardin County Government made a tremendous accomplishment in stopping a pending financial train wreck handed us in January 2003.  We now are traveling on a new track with a powerful locomotive fueled by innovative programs and leadership.  The results are a county government efficiently and effectively utilizing all available resources to meet the needs of our rapidly growing community while maintaining a full head of steam moving toward controlled growth and prosperity.

Below is the 2005/2006 Year End Summary

Below is the 2006/2007 Proposed Budget Summary

Hardin County government ends fiscal year in black
- July 26, 2006
Hardin County government had money left over to put back into general reserves at the conclusion of the 2005-06 fiscal year, Judge-Executive Harry Berry reported Tuesday.
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Berry offers $34.9m budget
Proposal is $5 million less than this year’s blueprint
- April 26, 2006
ELIZABETHTOWN — Judge/Executive Harry Berry proposed a $34.9 million budget to Hardin Fiscal Court on Tuesday.

The spending plan is $5.4 million — or 13.4 percent less — than this year’s budget, but contains no major construction projects as the 2005-06 plan did.
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Berry lauds departments' for tight belts
- July 27, 2005
Hardin County's 2004-05 fiscal year concluded with every department at least a little bit under budget, Judge/Executive Harry Berry said Tuesday.

That meant that less than $20,000 had to be used from the general reserve instead of the $1.6 million that was budgeted, he reported to Fiscal Court at its regular meeting in H.B. Fife Courthouse.

Berry offered thanks to everyone who had a role in finding "smarter, less expensive ways to provide the services we provide."
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Berry submits $37.7 million county budget
- April 27, 2005
The judge/executive has had his turn preparing a $37.7 million budget for the next fiscal year. Now it's time for Hardin County's magistrates to take their turn.

The budget amount for next year is up $5.6 million from this year's budget of $32.1 million.

"I propose a budget, but then it becomes the Fiscal Court's budget to do with as they please," said Judge/Executive Harry Berry, who presented his budget to Fiscal Court at its regular meeting at H.B. Fife Courthouse on Tuesday.
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County ‘turning the faucet down' on spending reserves
- April 27, 2005
One of Judge/Executive Harry Berry's budget goals is to eliminate the use of general reserve funds to balance the bottom line.

The amount used has been progressively reduced, and he expects it to continue shrinking.

The budget he proposed to Fiscal Court on Tuesday would use $897,870 from general reserves, 45 percent less than was budgeted for the current year, but he hopes the amount actually needed would be about $500,000 by the end of the fiscal year.
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Bonds to back landfill expansion
- December 28, 2004
Hardin County Fiscal Court will give people a chance to voice their opinions today about borrowing $3.75 million to help pay the cost of expanding the Pearl Hollow Landfill.

Construction of cells 3A and 4A will double the amount of trash the landfill is able to accept and could generate as much as $23.5 million in total revenue over their lifetimes.

Judge/Executive Harry Berry said the final cost will depend on what type of liner is used. If the Kentucky Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet approves the county's plan to use a modified liner in the new cells, the savings could be as much as $300,000.
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