A decade from now, Hardin County could operate under a single urban county government, allow all forms of alcohol sales and enjoy a vibrant nightlife on Elizabethtown’s Public Square.
Article originally posted by The (Elizabethtown) News-Enterprise directed to:http://www.thenewsenterprise.com/content/vision-project-develops-consensus-change
Vision project develops consensus on change
Consultant presents results of research, surveys and brainstorming
By Ben Sheroan
Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at 7:00 pm
The 24 strategic goals identified through L.B. Schmidt and Associates’ research fall into six categories:
§ Education
§ Community Unification
§ Community Development
§ Quality of Place/Life
§ Downtown Elizabethtown
§ Health Care
By BEN SHEROAN
bsheroan@thenewsenterprise.com
A decade from now, Hardin County could operate under a single urban county government, allow all forms of alcohol sales and enjoy a vibrant nightlife on Elizabethtown’s Public Square.
Community leaders were surveyed and questioned in development of 24 strategic goals compiled by a consultant with roots in Elizabethtown. Many of the ideas released Thursday depart from the status quo yet received broad support in the brainstorming sessions.
“Not to say it was unanimous. It was not,” consultant Luke Schmidt said. “There was a very high level of consensus.”
The ideas range from creation of a community YMCA and trauma center certification for Hardin Memorial Hospital to controversial suggestions such as merger of public school systems and a change in alcoholic beverage laws to allow full “wet” status in urban communities.
The vision project began in July with selection of L.B. Schmidt and Associates of Prospect to coordinate research and analysis. Two detailed brainstorming sessions followed a 30-page survey completed by 70 community leaders and stakeholders. Schmidt, whose family ran a Coca-Cola bottling franchise in the community for three generations, also researched counties of similar size in Kentucky, Tennessee and Mississippi for successful ideas.
The next phase is collecting public input. A forum to review and discuss the topics is scheduled for 4 p.m. April 29 at the Hardin County Schools’ Performing Arts Center at John Hardin High School.
A population surge spurred by job development at Fort Knox, thanks to the Army’s realignment plan, fueled an initial discussion two years ago about a comprehensive vision for the county, Judge-Executive Harry Berry said.
“Hardin County is at the epicenter of the BRAC impact,” Berry said.
Funding came from the Department of Defense’s Office of Economic Adjustment and, after competitive bidding, Schmidt’s firm was hired by the Lincoln Trail Area Development District to coordinate the idea-generation process.
Several ideas suggest efficiencies available through consolidation of similar operations.
Education ideas include merger of the Hardin County, Elizabethtown and West Point public school districts into a single entity. The report also suggests a study of merged government structures that could lead to a vote on adopting a single countywide government. The list includes consideration of establishing a “powerhouse entity” to promote all facets of retail, business and industrial development including tourism and work force development.
“None of this is saying that any existing group is doing a poor job,” Schmidt said. “It’s just asking, ‘How do you make them better?’”
In discussing the findings, Berry said the One Knox strategy of speaking with a single voice in dealings with the General Assembly and the military during base realignment illustrates the effectiveness possible with unification. He said the more than $250 million state commitment toward road improvements would have been more difficult to achieve in a fractured approach.
As a single entity, Hardin County has the fourth largest population in Kentucky.
“It’s time to leverage our size and time to develop our synergies,” Schmidt said in explaining logic behind some of the recommendations.
After the April 29 forum, Berry said he would like to see volunteers interested in driving what he called “the mechanics” of the decision-making process. Steering committees may be created to research each idea’s value and the processes, costs and sacrifices necessary in consideration of each move.
“Ultimately, it’s what the community wants,” Berry said. “Not what 10 people want.”
COMING UP
Details about the 24 proposals in the Hardin County Vision project and initial reaction will appear in Sunday’s print edition of The News-Enterprise.
A decade from now, Hardin County could operate under a single urban county government, allow all forms of alcohol sales and enjoy a vibrant nightlife on Elizabethtown’s Public Square.
Article originally posted by The (Elizabethtown) News-Enterprise directed to:http://www.thenewsenterprise.com/content/vision-project-develops-consensus-change
Vision project develops consensus on change
Consultant presents results of research, surveys and brainstorming
By Ben Sheroan
Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at 7:00 pm
The 24 strategic goals identified through L.B. Schmidt and Associates’ research fall into six categories:
§ Education
§ Community Unification
§ Community Development
§ Quality of Place/Life
§ Downtown Elizabethtown
§ Health Care
By BEN SHEROAN
bsheroan@thenewsenterprise.com
A decade from now, Hardin County could operate under a single urban county government, allow all forms of alcohol sales and enjoy a vibrant nightlife on Elizabethtown’s Public Square.
Community leaders were surveyed and questioned in development of 24 strategic goals compiled by a consultant with roots in Elizabethtown. Many of the ideas released Thursday depart from the status quo yet received broad support in the brainstorming sessions.
“Not to say it was unanimous. It was not,” consultant Luke Schmidt said. “There was a very high level of consensus.”
The ideas range from creation of a community YMCA and trauma center certification for Hardin Memorial Hospital to controversial suggestions such as merger of public school systems and a change in alcoholic beverage laws to allow full “wet” status in urban communities.
The vision project began in July with selection of L.B. Schmidt and Associates of Prospect to coordinate research and analysis. Two detailed brainstorming sessions followed a 30-page survey completed by 70 community leaders and stakeholders. Schmidt, whose family ran a Coca-Cola bottling franchise in the community for three generations, also researched counties of similar size in Kentucky, Tennessee and Mississippi for successful ideas.
The next phase is collecting public input. A forum to review and discuss the topics is scheduled for 4 p.m. April 29 at the Hardin County Schools’ Performing Arts Center at John Hardin High School.
A population surge spurred by job development at Fort Knox, thanks to the Army’s realignment plan, fueled an initial discussion two years ago about a comprehensive vision for the county, Judge-Executive Harry Berry said.
“Hardin County is at the epicenter of the BRAC impact,” Berry said.
Funding came from the Department of Defense’s Office of Economic Adjustment and, after competitive bidding, Schmidt’s firm was hired by the Lincoln Trail Area Development District to coordinate the idea-generation process.
Several ideas suggest efficiencies available through consolidation of similar operations.
Education ideas include merger of the Hardin County, Elizabethtown and West Point public school districts into a single entity. The report also suggests a study of merged government structures that could lead to a vote on adopting a single countywide government. The list includes consideration of establishing a “powerhouse entity” to promote all facets of retail, business and industrial development including tourism and work force development.
“None of this is saying that any existing group is doing a poor job,” Schmidt said. “It’s just asking, ‘How do you make them better?’”
In discussing the findings, Berry said the One Knox strategy of speaking with a single voice in dealings with the General Assembly and the military during base realignment illustrates the effectiveness possible with unification. He said the more than $250 million state commitment toward road improvements would have been more difficult to achieve in a fractured approach.
As a single entity, Hardin County has the fourth largest population in Kentucky.
“It’s time to leverage our size and time to develop our synergies,” Schmidt said in explaining logic behind some of the recommendations.
After the April 29 forum, Berry said he would like to see volunteers interested in driving what he called “the mechanics” of the decision-making process. Steering committees may be created to research each idea’s value and the processes, costs and sacrifices necessary in consideration of each move.
“Ultimately, it’s what the community wants,” Berry said. “Not what 10 people want.”
COMING UP
Details about the 24 proposals in the Hardin County Vision project and initial reaction will appear in Sunday’s print edition of The News-Enterprise.