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<h4>Affordable Housing</h4>

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<h3>Working for Our Community</h3><p>These are some of the <strong>top priorities</strong> my campaign is focused on.</p><h5>Want to <a href="/21ebb952-f187-454d-9a75-0d092567b27e"><strong>learn more</strong></a>?</h5><span class="image image-framed image-center image-tilt-left" style="width: 100%;"><span class="image-inner-wrapper"><img src="https://run.imgix.net/25480ac3-8424-43ac-8e31-14578b958bf3/c709cbab-2080-4b40-869b-4df1fa8344cc/775dc0d5-6e13-4ac8-9a1c-58a1c80c35de.webp?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=405%2C7%2C2674%2C2251&amp;w=1500" alt="Photo of Jim Becker" caption="" align="center" alignwidth="50" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed"></span><span class="caption" style="display: none;"></span></span><p></p>

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<p><strong>Let’s build a smarter, cleaner and more inclusive</strong><br><strong>Hardin County — together.</strong></p><p>As your candidate for Magistrate in District 5, I believe in building a future that respects our rural heritage while embracing sustainable growth. Guided by the principles in Hardin County’s Comprehensive Plan, I will advocate for:</p>

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<h2>Jim Becker</h2><span class="image image-framed image-right image-tilt-right" style="width: 40%;"><span class="image-inner-wrapper"><img src="https://run.imgix.net/25480ac3-8424-43ac-8e31-14578b958bf3/50018d5e-5ffe-466c-b9ff-08a3bc47c892/c935babe-d94b-4848-899d-63c13dd7f09b.webp?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C3072%2C4096&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="right" alignwidth="40" tiltdirection="right" variant="framed"></span><span class="caption" style="display: none;"></span></span><h5>Candidate for Hardin County Magistrate, District 5</h5><p>I'm Jim Becker, and I'm running to serve as your Magistrate for Hardin County's 5th District.</p><p>Elizabethtown has been home for much of my life. My family moved here in the summer of 1974, when I was nine years old, and I've never really left — graduating from <strong>Elizabethtown High School</strong> in 1982, attending <strong>ECTC</strong>, and staying connected to this community through every chapter of my life since.</p><p>My wife, Kim, grew up here too. Her family has deep roots in Hardin County — including the <strong>Whistle Stop Restaurant in Glendale</strong>, which her parents opened in 1975. I waited tables there during college. When I had the chance to <strong>come home in 2021</strong>, I didn't hesitate.</p><p>Kim and I are active members of <strong>First Presbyterian Church Elizabethtown</strong>, where we serve on the Creation Care team — a ministry focused on community education and stewardship of our natural environment.</p><p>As a <strong>licensed Kentucky attorney</strong>, I spent my career as a law school administrator — 25 years at the University of Louisville, the last 16 as <strong>Assistant Dean for Information Technology</strong> — bringing professionalism, innovation and integrity to complex problems. That's the same approach I'll bring to Hardin County Fiscal Court.</p><p>Throughout my career I've believed in <strong>service over status</strong>. As an attorney, I've represented survivors of domestic and dating violence in Jefferson Family and District Courts on a <em>pro bono</em> basis. As a father, I coached my daughter's youth soccer teams — two seasons a year — from first grade until she started playing for her middle school.</p><p>I've built a career grounded in problem-solving, integrity and thoughtful leadership. Now I'm ready to bring that same spirit of service home to the community that shaped me.</p><p>I'm running to:</p><ul><li><p>Restore <strong>civility, competence and professionalism</strong> in our county leadership;</p></li><li><p>Promote <strong>smart, sustainable growth</strong> that preserves what we love about Hardin County;</p></li><li><p>Advance policies that make our county <strong>Kentucky's next great place</strong> to live, work, visit, learn, play, worship and thrive.</p></li></ul><p>My campaign isn't just about government. It's about <strong>good government</strong> — and what we can accomplish when we lead with vision, values and a deep love for the place we call home.</p><h5>I hope to earn your support — and your vote.</h5>

<p>Welcome! I'm Jim Becker, and I'm running to represent District 5 on the Hardin County Fiscal Court. Our district is home to proud families, great schools, fantastic businesses and growing opportunity — but we need to guide that growth with wisdom, not just speed.</p><p>I've already started that work: I researched and authored a Managed Natural Landscapes Ordinance that would protect Elizabethtown homeowners who want to grow native plants and install rain gardens on their own property.</p>

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<h2>Just what is a Magistrate?</h2><p>When I talk to voters —  and even friends and family — about running for office, the first question I always get is ...</p><h4>What is a magistrate?</h4><p>In Kentucky, a <strong>county magistrate</strong> is an elected official who serves as a <strong>member of the county’s governing body</strong>, called the <strong>Fiscal Court</strong>. Think of a magistrate as a <strong>city council member, but at the county level</strong>.</p><p>Each magistrate represents a <strong>specific district within the county</strong>, making sure the voices and concerns of their local community are heard when decisions are made about county government. Magistrates are <strong>not judges</strong>, despite the somewhat confusing title. They are <strong>local legislators</strong>.</p><h4>What does Fiscal Court do?</h4><p>The <strong>Fiscal Court</strong> is the <strong>main governing body for county government in Kentucky</strong>. It’s made up of the <strong>County Judge/Executive</strong> and a group of <strong>magistrates</strong> (or commissioners, depending on the county structure).</p><p>The Fiscal Court is responsible for:</p><ul><li><p><strong>Passing county laws and ordinances</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>Approving the county budget</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>Overseeing county services</strong> like roads, parks, emergency management, sanitation, and sometimes zoning</p></li><li><p><strong>Managing local tax dollars</strong> and making sure public money is spent responsibly</p></li></ul><p>In short, the Fiscal Court is where <strong>big-picture decisions get made</strong> about how your county is run, how your tax money is used, and how your community grows.</p>

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<h2>The Neighborhoods, History and Character of Hardin County District 5</h2><span class="image image-framed image-center" style="width: 80%;"><span class="image-inner-wrapper"><img src="https://run.imgix.net/25480ac3-8424-43ac-8e31-14578b958bf3/e7bef807-0c05-489f-a89b-f3c64323b65d/8a8b92da-53fe-4fd2-bc90-5bf71854d138.webp?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C4096%2C1604&amp;w=1500" alt="Photo of downtown Elizabethtown" caption="" align="center" alignwidth="40" variant="framed"></span><span class="caption" style="display: none;"></span></span><p>Hardin County <a href="https://hccoky.org/pdf/pmaps/MD5n.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Magisterial District 5</a> represents the historic and civic core of <strong>Elizabethtown</strong> and includes the county’s oldest neighborhoods, most recognizable landmarks and charming gathering places. It is a district shaped by generations of families, local institutions and small businesses — places where Hardin County’s history is visible and its community life remains strong.</p><h4>Neighborhoods and Community Character</h4><span class="image image-framed image-left image-tilt-left" style="width: 40%;"><span class="image-inner-wrapper"><img src="https://run.imgix.net/25480ac3-8424-43ac-8e31-14578b958bf3/0e4232f3-467c-400e-8ab3-1ce68c466613/bd011841-df98-4d24-976b-82fdc69b50b6.webp?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C4096%2C3072&amp;w=1500" alt="Photo of cannon in Elizabethtown City Cemetery" caption="" align="left" alignwidth="40" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed"></span><span class="caption" style="display: none;"></span></span><p>District 5 includes the <strong>Haycraft</strong> neighborhood, Elizabethtown's first, and the areas surrounding downtown, where tree-lined streets, older homes and close-knit blocks reflect centuries of history. These neighborhoods are complemented by the residential areas stretching out from downtown: <strong>E'town North</strong>, <strong>E'town West</strong> and <strong>Valley Creek</strong>, which represent mid-century growth. Together, these areas form stable, diverse communities where people value walkability, neighborhood pride and local involvement.</p><span class="image image-framed image-right image-tilt-right" style="width: 40%;"><span class="image-inner-wrapper"><img src="https://run.imgix.net/25480ac3-8424-43ac-8e31-14578b958bf3/bed9fddc-8dfe-43f7-8d42-a01a12cfa1a1/612bd1ba-9a04-4fd5-ae66-f0953b4cd37b.webp?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C4096%2C2304&amp;w=1500" alt="Historic Brown-Pusey House" caption="" align="right" alignwidth="40" tiltdirection="right" variant="framed"></span><span class="caption" style="display: none;"></span></span><h4>Historic Homes and Landmarks</h4><p>District 5 is home to some of Hardin County’s most recognizable historic sites. The <strong>Brown-Pusey House</strong>, located near downtown, stands as a symbol of Elizabethtown’s early development and remains a key cultural landmark today. Nearby historic homes, churches and civic buildings reflect the county’s role as a regional center dating back more than two centuries. Downtown Elizabethtown itself — centered around the courthouse square — remains a focal point for community events, parades and local traditions.</p><h4>Schools, Parks and Public Spaces</h4><span class="image image-framed image-left image-tilt-left" style="width: 40%;"><span class="image-inner-wrapper"><img src="https://run.imgix.net/25480ac3-8424-43ac-8e31-14578b958bf3/a5724f4c-fbe2-4a9e-bda0-dcf37c629ea6/680c3803-0eee-4eaa-9878-e90dcbab98af.webp?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C4096%2C2302&amp;w=1500" alt="Photo of children playing soccer at Elizabethtown Sports Park" caption="" align="left" alignwidth="40" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed"></span><span class="caption" style="display: none;"></span></span><p>Families in District 5 are served by important local institutions, including <strong>T.K. Stone Middle School</strong> and the Elizabethtown Independent School District's three elementary schools — Morningside, Helmwood Heights and Valley View Education Center — which anchor their neighborhoods and foster strong community ties. Public spaces such as <strong>Elizabethtown Sports Park</strong> provide recreational opportunities, walking trails and family activities that draw residents from across the county — and beyond. These shared spaces are central to quality of life and deserve continued investment and care.</p><h4>Shops, Restaurants and Local Attractions</h4><span class="image image-framed image-right image-tilt-right" style="width: 40%;"><span class="image-inner-wrapper"><img src="https://run.imgix.net/25480ac3-8424-43ac-8e31-14578b958bf3/cd5eacf1-cd1e-4456-95dd-4702e8346f34/854bb5f6-b08f-494f-bd5d-a9222125fa5e.webp?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C4096%2C3072&amp;w=1500" alt="Photo of historic State Theater" caption="" align="right" alignwidth="40" tiltdirection="right" variant="framed"></span><span class="caption" style="display: none;"></span></span><p>District 5 is also where much of Hardin County comes together to shop, dine and gather. Downtown Elizabethtown features locally owned shops, coffee spots and restaurants that contribute to the area’s unique character and support the local economy. From neighborhood businesses to long-standing establishments that have served residents for decades, these small businesses are an essential part of District 5’s identity and vitality.</p><h4>Seven Voting Precincts, One Community</h4><p>All of these neighborhoods and places come together across District 5’s seven voting precincts:</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://hccoky.org/pdf/pmaps/E001.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Central (E001)</strong></a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://hccoky.org/pdf/pmaps/E002.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>E'town North (E002)</strong></a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://hccoky.org/pdf/pmaps/E003.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>E'town West (E003)</strong></a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://hccoky.org/pdf/pmaps/E004.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Valley Creek (E004)</strong></a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://hccoky.org/pdf/pmaps/E005.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Memorial (E005)</strong></a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://hccoky.org/pdf/pmaps/E006.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>VanMeter City (E006)</strong></a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://hccoky.org/pdf/pmaps/E007.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Haycraft (E007)</strong></a></p></li></ul><p>Each precinct has its own history and priorities, but all share a common interest in strong neighborhoods, responsive county government and thoughtful planning for the future.</p><p>District 5 is not just arbitrary lines on a map: It is the heart of Hardin County’s civic life. As your Magistrate, my commitment is to protect the character of these neighborhoods, support local institutions and businesses, and ensure that county decisions strengthen the places that make District 5 some of the best parts of Hardin County.</p>

<h2>Let's make Hardin County Kentucky's next great place  — together.</h2>

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Jim Becker for Hardin County Magistrate, District 5

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<p>Hardin County is facing a real housing shortage — and our own zoning rules are part of the problem. According to <a href="https://www.kyhousing.org/Data-Library/Housing-Gap-Analysis/Pages/Data.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">the Kentucky Housing Corporation</a>, our region could be short thousands of units within just a few years. I've spent months studying our county's zoning ordinance and I've identified specific changes that would give property owners more flexibility to build the kinds of housing our community actually needs. This isn't about adding more regulation — it's about removing barriers that never should have been there.</p><p><strong>Everyone deserves a place to call home. I will:</strong></p><ul><li><p>Advocate for a variety of housing types — single-family, workforce, senior and multi-family — to meet our community's needs at every stage of life.</p></li><li><p>Push for targeted zoning reforms that restore flexibility for property owners and remove outdated barriers to the kinds of homes between a single-family house and a large apartment complex.</p></li><li><p>Support adaptive reuse of existing buildings and neighborhood preservation strategies that keep housing affordable without displacing residents.</p></li><li><p>Promote energy-efficient housing design that keeps long-term costs manageable for homeowners and renters alike.</p></li></ul>

<h2>Affordable &amp; Diverse Housing</h2>

<p>Freeman Lake Park • Lions Pavilion<br>June 18, 2026<br>6:00 PM</p><p>Refreshments will be served.</p>

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<h4>Campaign Kick-Off</h4>

<p>Hardin County government faces a financial burden that most residents don't know about — and that isn't the county's fault.</p><p>Under current Kentucky law, when someone is arrested on a felony charge, they are held in the county jail while their case moves through the courts. That process can take months or even years. The county pays every cost — housing, food, medical care, staffing — but <strong>the state pays nothing during this pretrial period</strong>. If the person is ultimately convicted of a state felony and receives credit for time served, that entire period counts toward a state sentence, <strong>but the county that bore the cost receives no reimbursement</strong>.</p><p>The result: Hardin County now spends approximately $6 million per year on jail operations, with general fund transfers to the jail having grown 76% statewide between 2019 and 2025. That's money diverted from roads, parks, emergency services and other community needs.</p><p>During the 2026 Kentucky legislative session, <a href="https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/note/26RS/hb557/CI.pdf?utm_source=copilot.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>House Bill 557</strong></a> proposed to fix this, shifting the state to a contract-based, actual-cost reimbursement model and requiring the state to pay for pretrial detention when that time is credited toward a state sentence. The bill attracted more than 50 co-sponsors and broad bipartisan support from county officials across Kentucky. <strong>It did not pass.</strong></p><p><strong>As Hardin County District 5 Magistrate, Jim Becker would:</strong></p><ul><li><p>Actively engage our state legislative delegation to revive and pass jail cost reform in 2027</p></li><li><p>Ensure Fiscal Court clearly communicates Hardin County's costs and case to Frankfort</p></li><li><p>Advocate for the county to receive every dollar of reimbursement it is owed under current law</p></li><li><p>Support regionalization strategies that improve efficiency without sacrificing local control</p></li></ul><p>County government can only serve its residents well when the state meets its own financial obligations. <strong>This is a matter of fiscal fairness — and Jim will fight for it.</strong></p>

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<h2>Fiscal Responsibility & Jail Cost Reform</h2>

<p>Smart growth means building an economy that works today without sacrificing what makes Hardin County worth living in. I've already put this philosophy into practice: <strong>I researched and authored a Managed Natural Landscapes ordinance for the City of Elizabethtown</strong> — a policy that would allow residential property owners to plant native wildflowers, create rain gardens, and maintain natural buffers without running afoul of the city's existing vegetation rules. I'm presenting it to the Elizabethtown City Council this summer, and I'm hopeful it will soon become law. That's what green economic development looks like at the local level: practical, specific, and grounded in the community it serves.</p><p><strong>I will support smart growth that balances opportunity with sustainability by:</strong></p><ul><li><p>Promoting green industries and encouraging businesses that adopt environmentally sound practices, including opportunities in the growing clean energy sector as Hardin County's industrial landscape evolves.</p></li><li><p>Preserving farmland and natural areas through conservation easements and agricultural land protection policies.</p></li><li><p>Incentivizing redevelopment and infill development to reduce sprawl and protect our rural landscapes from strip-mall growth.</p></li><li><p>Supporting public-private partnerships that help locally owned small businesses start and grow here —including small business incubators — rather than recruiting from the outside.</p></li></ul>

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<h2>Green Economic Development</h2>

<p>Hardin County has been studying public transportation for years — and the need has never been clearer. A 2024 study conducted by the <a href="https://radcliff-elizabethtown-mpo.org/">Radcliff/Elizabethtown Metropolitan Planning Organization (REMPO)</a> surveyed more than 1,400 residents and found that one in six don't own a personal vehicle. That's not a small number. Those are working people, seniors and students who depend on rides they can't always count on to get to jobs, medical appointments and school. The county now has a concrete, phased plan to build a real transit system — starting with vanpools and leading to fixed-route service along Dixie Highway and through Elizabethtown. <strong>That plan deserves a champion at the Fiscal Court level, and I intend to be one.</strong></p><p><strong>Transportation must work for everyone. I will:</strong></p><ul><li><p>Advocate for full implementation of the county's three-phase transit plan — supporting the vanpool phase already in development and pushing to keep the timeline for fixed-route service on track.</p></li><li><p>Champion federal funding through programs like the <a href="https://www.transit.dot.gov/rural-formula-grants-5311" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">FTA Section 5311 rural transit grant</a>, which is designed specifically to help counties like ours build transit systems without bearing the full cost alone.</p></li><li><p>Support walkability improvements and bike paths, especially in and around rural villages and public facilities where short trips shouldn't require a car.</p></li><li><p>Prioritize road safety and responsible corridor planning to improve access while preventing unplanned commercial sprawl that degrades both safety and community character.</p></li></ul>

<h2>Expanding Public Transportation Options</h2>

<p>Hardin County has the basics covered — curbside trash pickup, a landfill, and seven drop-off recycling sites across the county. That's a foundation worth building on, but drop-off recycling with a short list of accepted materials isn't the same as a modern recycling program, and it puts the burden on residents to do what other communities handle at the curb. <strong>As the county grows, our waste management infrastructure should grow with it</strong> — more materials accepted, more convenient access, and a longer-term vision for reducing what ends up in the landfill.</p><p><strong>Clean, modern services are essential. I will:</strong></p><ul><li><p>Advocate for expanding both the convenience and the scope of recycling services — working toward more materials accepted and options that don't require a special trip to a drop-off site.</p></li><li><p>Support environmentally responsible solid waste management, including resource recovery and reuse programs that reduce what ends up in the landfill.</p></li><li><p>Ensure responsible wastewater planning for rural areas, including community-scale and on-site treatment solutions for neighborhoods not connected to a central sewer system.</p></li></ul>

<h2>Public Sanitation &amp; Expanded Recycling</h2>

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<h4>Event title here</h4>

<p>All <a href="https://www.hardincountyky.gov/391/Magistrate-District-Map" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">eight magistrate seats</a> in Hardin County will be contested this year — political challengers have filed to run against every incumbent in the upcoming election.</p>

<h4>Challengers aim to unseat incumbents in every district</h4>

<p>This one is personal. My wife Kim's family opened the Whistle Stop Restaurant in Glendale in 1975. I waited tables there myself as a college student in the 1980s. Glendale draws visitors from across the region because of its character — locally owned businesses, a railroad that runs right through the heart of Main Street, a genuine historic district that's been on the National Register since 1988. That doesn't happen by accident, and it doesn't survive without intentional policies that say: <strong>new development has to fit the community, not the other way around.</strong></p><p>Hardin County has just taken an important step in that direction. The county recently adopted a <a href="https://www.hcpdc.com/_files/ugd/67a6e3_8904d01aa30c429382c2643efd7fcdc3.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Creating Vibrant Communities plan for Glendale</strong></a> — a detailed roadmap for preserving Glendale's small-town character while guiding smart growth as the area develops. I support that plan fully, and I believe <strong>the same kind of thoughtful, community-driven planning should extend to Hardin County's other Rural Villages: Cecilia, Rineyville and Stephensburg</strong>. Each of those communities has its own identity worth protecting. Each one deserves a vision for its future before growth makes those decisions for them.</p><p><strong>Our rural identity is a strength. I will:</strong></p><ul><li><p>Support full implementation of the Glendale CVC plan and advocate for similar community planning efforts for Cecilia, Rineyville and Stephensburg — before development pressure overtakes them.</p></li><li><p>Protect the character of rural villages through development standards that ensure new construction fits the look, scale, and feel of the community — not a highway commercial strip.</p></li><li><p>Encourage locally owned small businesses and agritourism initiatives that bring visitors in and keep dollars circulating in our local economy.</p></li><li><p>Support targeted infrastructure improvements — roads, broadband, wastewater — that make rural communities more livable without sacrificing what makes them special.</p></li></ul>

<h2>Protecting Rural Villages &amp; Promoting Agritourism</h2>

<p>Quick question: Can you name a public park in unincorporated Hardin County? You can't — <strong>because there isn't one</strong>. Residents inside Elizabethtown have the Sports Park, Freeman Lake, American Legion Park, and more, but if you live in the unincorporated parts of Hardin County, public green space simply isn't part of the picture. That's a quality-of-life gap, and it's one a county of our size and resources shouldn't accept.</p><p><strong>Outdoor spaces improve health, community and quality of life. I will:</strong></p><ul><li><p>Work toward a county-wide Parks &amp; Recreation Master Plan — a basic planning tool that most comparable Kentucky counties already have and that Hardin County lacks.</p></li><li><p>Support development of accessible passive and active recreational amenities: trails, athletic fields, and public river and stream access that residents across the district can actually use.</p></li><li><p>Encourage open-space requirements in new residential developments, so that as Hardin County grows, green space grows with it rather than getting paved over.</p></li></ul>

<h2>Parks &amp; Public Spaces for All</h2>

Jim Becker for 5th District Magistrate, Hardin County, KY

Jim Becker for Magistrate

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