Calloway County government to continue funding city-county parks and recreation through end of year

Calloway County Fiscal Court met Wednesday and agreed to fund the Murray-Calloway County Parks and Recreation through the end of the calendar year.

The Murray Sentinel reported in an executive order, Judge Executive Kenny Imes agreed to pay $4,500 per month from July through December of this year from a contingency fund in the fiscal year 2027 budget.

The commitment temporarily resolves a public dispute over support for the city-owned park system, but does not deal with how funding will handled in 2027. 

The funding dispute became public earlier this month when the Murray Park Board had a special meeting to discuss the FY 2027 budget.  That group will hold a special meeting Thursday to discuss its budget.

Judge Exeuctive Imes framed the action as an effort to honor a commitment made during his administration without binding the officials who will succeed him. 

Imes lost the Republican primary in his bid for reelection in May to Fourth District Magistrate Paul Rister. Rister will face off against two Independent candidates in the November general election.  

Reprinted in partnership with The Murray Sentinel.  To read more click below:

Imes commits $45,000 to parks through December | The Murray Sentinel