Warren County Fiscal Court approves road work, jail training program

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Warren County Fiscal Court approved several projects Thursday, including funding for a new forklift training program at the county jail and road improvements across the county.

The court approved a $33,500 proposal from Forklift University for a forklift simulator, on-site training and curriculum to establish a forklift academy at the Warren County Regional Jail.

Warren County Jailer Stephen Harmon said the program is part of the jail’s reentry efforts and is designed to give inmates job skills they can use after their release.

The county’s total investment in the program is expected to be about $50,000, Harmon said.

The jail partners with Pan-Oston, which Harmon described as one of Warren County’s largest second-chance employers. He said having prior forklift training or experience could potentially increase an inmate’s starting wage by $2 to $3 per hour.

The program will also result in four certified forklift instructors being available on staff at the jail.

Judge-Executive Doug Gorman praised the jail’s reentry efforts, saying the goal is to help people move forward after serving their sentences rather than return to jail.

Fiscal Court also approved the county’s rural secondary roads program for the 2026-27 fiscal year.

Warren County’s projected allotment is $1,550,739, with $263,324 available in flex funds for road projects.

One of the projects will use the flex funds to complete approximately 2.8 miles of Blue Level Road. District 5 Magistrate Eric Aldridge said the road is currently in poor condition, with deteriorated shoulders.

The work is expected to include shoulder improvements and new pavement markings, as well as tree trimming along the roadway.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet also plans to resurface approximately 4.68 miles of Kentucky 1083, or Galloway Mills Road, from Browning Road north to a pavement joint near mile point 8.63.

The state project has an estimated cost of $759,828 and will include base repairs, tree trimming, graded shoulders and permanent pavement markings.

Aldridge said the Blue Level Road work and the state’s work on Kentucky 1083 will provide significant resurfacing in the area and connect with road improvements completed in recent years.

Fiscal Court also recognized two Warren County Jail deputies who are retiring after decades of service.

Shawn Whittlesey is retiring after 29 years with the Warren County Jail, while Eddie Pendleton is retiring after 27 years.

Harmon credited both men with serving in numerous capacities during their careers and helping make the community safer.

Gorman also thanked the two deputies for what he called “almost a lifetime of service to the community.”

The meeting highlighted county investments in road infrastructure, workforce preparation and reentry efforts, while recognizing longtime public servants.