Barren County moves forward with opioid committee, ag expo board plans

BARREN COUNTY, Ky. — Barren County leaders are moving ahead with plans to address addiction recovery and long-term economic development following action at this week’s Fiscal Court meeting.

Magistrates approved the creation of a new opioid committee that will oversee the distribution of opioid settlement funds coming into the county. The group is expected to guide how the funds are used for recovery-focused efforts across the community.

Barren County Judge-Executive Jamie Bewley Byrd said the county waited several years to better understand the amount and consistency of the settlement funds before creating a formal plan.

“We’re at the point now where it’s close to that $500,000 mark that we feel like, ‘okay, we can make a plan now to use these funds for at least another four years,’” Byrd said.

The committee will include county officials such as the judge-executive, sheriff, jailer and county attorney, along with two magistrates and a citizen at-large. Byrd said the citizen appointee will come from someone with experience in addiction-related work to help provide a neutral but informed perspective.

Officials say the funds must be used strictly for recovery efforts, including treatment, housing support, training programs and other services aimed at helping individuals overcome addiction and reintegrate into the community.

“It has to be used towards recovery efforts,” Byrd said. “It’s about the care of an individual that has a drug addiction.”

The committee is expected to begin accepting and reviewing applications from organizations once guidelines are finalized.

Officials also say success will be measured over the long term.

“Success would be that we’re able to plan how these funds can be used not just for this year, but for four to five years,” Byrd said.

In addition to the opioid committee, Fiscal Court also approved plans for a new agriculture exposition board that will oversee operations of the future Ag Expo Center in Cave City.

The board will operate as a nonprofit entity and will be responsible for hiring a director to manage the facility once it is complete.

Byrd said construction planning continues to move forward, with officials expecting to take dirt as early as next April. The deed for the property is nearing completion, and the county is preparing to select a construction manager.

“We’re looking to maybe turn dirt next April,” Byrd said. 

The planned Ag Expo Center is expected to host a wide range of events, including livestock shows, tractor pulls, demolition derbies, equine events, concerts, and potentially a regional county fair.

Officials say the board structure will help ensure the facility operates independently while still serving as a regional attraction and economic driver.

More details on both the opioid committee and Ag Expo board appointments are expected at upcoming Fiscal Court meetings.