Senate committee changes taxing districts bill

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Senate committee changes taxing districts bill

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - Legislation intended to increase oversight of a multitude of tiny taxing districts that have existed largely under the radar of government auditors has cleared a Senate committee, but with a change that Auditor Adam Edelen called unacceptable.

The measure sets up a system for auditing the entities that collect and spend more than $2 billion a year to operate a variety of government services, including rural fire departments, airports, sanitation districts, even libraries. It also would create an online database where taxpayers could review financial reports for each taxing district.

The Senate State and Local Government Committee added a provision that would allow county fiscal courts to veto increases in taxes or fees imposed by the taxing districts. Edelen staunchly opposes the provision.

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