Kentucky city votes to dissolve its local government

BONNIEVILLE, Ky. — The City of Bonnieville, Kentucky will soon be no more. An audit after Election Day confirmed residents voted to dissolve their local government by only seven votes. 

It’s left some residents with many questions on what will happen to City Hall, the roads and streetlights.

The Hart County community is where just over 200 Kentuckians call home. Just off of I-65 you’ll see a welcome sign for Bonnieville, which was established in 1958. But by next week all signs, banners with the city’s name will be removed. 

“We’re making history,” Bonnieville Mayor Marie Whitlow said. “Sad history but we’re making history.”

On Tuesday, residents believed a majority voted against dissolving the city. But a second audit revealed it actually passed with 60 people voting no and 67 voting yes.

Whitlow said an influx of new residents from other states started the petition to avoid paying city taxes.

“I don’t know what it is about paying taxes, we are the lowest rate in Hart County on property taxes,” Whitlow said. “They just got all mad one time and got together, a little community behind the school mainly, and decided to do away with the city.”

No city government means no local funds for events like their annual Fourth of July celebration. 

Organizer Kimberly Edwards called it “disheartening.”

“The city sponsored my insurance and the insurance to shut down the road is very expensive,” Edwards said. “Right now, it’s $1,000 just for insurance and the band. That’s not all of the expenses for 4th of July but they were a big help this year.”

Edwards said many residents have responded to her Facebook post asking the community for help in next year’s event. She said so far she’s gotten a lot of responses from locals willing to sponsor the event but not to physically help.

“The city will no longer be here, so we’re going to get with Kim to see if we can get some fundraisers going maybe,” Whitlow said.

The local government has 30 days from Wednesday to clear City Hall and determine what items like computers will go to the county. After it’s cleared it will become another empty building sitting in the heart of the city. 

WHAS11 reached out to the petition’s author, who said their group does not want to be on camera or gloat about the win.

Even with the city dissolving there is still a chance for them to reestablish themselves in the future.

“I just want everyone to come together,” Edwards said. “I can see both sides to dissolving the city and keeping the city. The lights are the biggest factor.”

Hart County Judge Executive Joe Choate said the county will be taking over maintenance of city streets, which will now become county roads. 

“The transfer of assets, including City Hall, will be completed within 30 days, and we will work to ensure a seamless transition. While the county does not handle street lights, we are committed to work closely with everyone involved during this change,” he said in a statement.

LG&E and KU also gave a statement when questioned about if the city’s dissolvement will impact any resident’s bills. 

“The Kentucky Public Service Commission establishes the boundary lines for service providers. This vote does not have any impact on that,” spokesperson Drew Gardner said. “KU is and will continue to be the electric service provider for residents in the City of Bonnieville even after its dissolution. The only accounts impacted are those owned directly by the city.”

As for the Volunteer Fire Department, Whitlow said they are independent and fund themselves. The termination of city government will not impact the department. 

The city will meet with its attorney Friday to discuss what they need to do. They also plan to host their last city council meeting next week. 

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