Hardin County Fiscal Court hosts second February meeting

The Hardin County Fiscal Court met for their second meeting of the month Tuesday.

Hardin County Judge/Executive Keith Taul presented the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline EMS Gold Achievement Award to Director Mark Peterson and the other team members of Hardin County EMS.

“Mission: Lifeline EMS is the American Heart Association’s national initiative to advance the system of care for patients with high-risk time-sensitive disease states, such as severe heart attacks and strokes,” Taul said.

Hardin County Coroner Pat Elmore presented his annual report for 2025. Elmore said the coroner’s office responded to 1,193 cases, about 23 more than the year prior. Elmore reported 45 accidents, three homicides, 1,106 natural causes, 32 suicides, two pending autopsy, and two undetermined. Elmore said an increase was seen in the number of suicides but a decrease was seen in the number of drug-related deaths.

The court approved, on second reading, an ordinance to amend the fiscal year 2025-2026 budget. The amendment accommodates about $700,000 in road repair expenses due to be reimbursed by FEMA. Magistrate Fred Clem asked Taul if there has been any response from FEMA on the payment.

“Not recently,” Taul said. “I mean, we’re still working on it., and so we’re still optimistic that we’re going to get the amount of money that we are wanting to get, but we’re still working through that. But no payment yet.”

The Hardin County Fiscal Court will next meet March 10.