McCracken County Lowers Auto and Life Insurance Premium Taxes

The McCracken County Fiscal Court has approved a measure to decrease taxes on auto and life insurance premiums from 6.9% to 4.9%, effective July 1. This adjustment aligns these rates with other insurance categories in the county, including casualty, inland marine, and fire insurance, which already stand at 4.9%. Health insurance premiums remain exempt from county taxes. The ordinance also mandates an annual review of tax rates, offering opportunities for future reductions.

AI Data Center Opportunities

Bruce Wilcox, President and CEO of Greater Paducah Economic Development, updated the court on potential AI data center projects at the Department of Energy Paducah Site. An industry day event was organized to engage potential stakeholders. "We anticipate a decision or an announcement from the DOE on who they anticipate partnering with for the large-scale AI data centers very soon," Wilcox stated. Although optimistic, Wilcox clarified that no official announcement has been made yet. Energy considerations were extensively discussed, focusing on independent energy management for the proposed centers.

Humane Society Contract Update

The fiscal court also endorsed a new two-year contract with the McCracken County Humane Society, valued at $350,000 annually. This agreement, disbursed in monthly payments, aims to support the society's operations amidst financial challenges like increased animal intake and rising operational costs. Traci Phelps, Director of the society, emphasized the impact of their no-kill policy on capacity and expenses, noting increased wage and health insurance expenses. The finalized contract omits a proposed incremental cost adjustment linked to the consumer price index.