Bullitt County, Kentucky
Bullitt County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky, just south of the city of Louisville. It is part of the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY–IN Metropolitan Statistical Area. Bullitt is one of the fastest growing counties in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The population was 61,236 as of the 2000 census. Population estimates of 2008 put the population at 75,028. Shepherdsville is the county seat.
History
Bullitt County is named after Alexander Scott Bullitt, one of the architects of Kentucky government, and was created on January 1, 1797. It was formed out of parts of Jefferson and Nelson County. In 1811, the current northwestern area of the county was formed from land given by Jefferson County, and when Spencer County was created in 1824, land from the eastern boundary was given to them.In the late 18th century to the mid 19th century, Bullitt County was the site of thriving Salt and Iron works industries.
Natural disasters
The Great Flood of the Ohio River Valley in 1937 left a profound impact throughout the region, and Bullitt County was no different. Much of the county was covered, including the cities of Shepherdsville and Lebanon Junction. Most local attention was diverted to Louisville, but at least a few of the nearby news sources reported on the event in Bullitt County. One such notable source was the Jeffersonia, a local newspaper of Jeffersontown, Kentucky, which reported the inundation of Shepherdsville and the general state of panic in the town.On May 28, 1996 a large tornado outbreak occurred and an F4 tornado hit Brooks and Pioneer Village causing millions of dollars in damage but only 10 injures. A more recent tornado outbreak happened in mid-October 2007 from Florida to Michigan, from Oklahoma to Ohio. One tornado hit Bullitt County twice getting to strength of an EF1.
Economy
Bullitt County, which is bisected by I-65, the main north-south transportation corridor, has grown into a thriving distribution hub, and several of its major business parks are just about 16 miles (26 km) from Louisville International Airport and UPS’s global air-freight hub Worldport. More than 6,000,000 square feet (560,000 m2) of distribution, warehousing and other complexes have been built and absorbed in Bullitt County since 2000, and additional construction is ongoing.Additionally, Bullitt residents have easy access to major job centers such as Elizabethtown, Fort Knox, and Louisville.
Parks and outdoor attractions
Knobs State Forest in Bullitt County, Kentucky's newest state forest, has added 429 acres (1.74 km2), bringing the total size to 1,539 acres (6.23 km2). The forest will have no visitor’s center or other man-made features, and it initially will have no established trails. Gwen Holt, information officer for the Division of Forestry said she expects it to be used for hiking, with trails being worn in over time, wildlife viewing, and picnicking. You can even bring your dogs if you keep them on a leash.Knob State Forest is located near the 14,000-acre (57 km2) nationally recognized Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, about 25 miles (40 km) south of Louisville.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 300 square miles (777 km2), of which 299 square miles (774 km2) is land and 1 square mile (2.6 km2) is water.
Adjacent counties
Jefferson County- Louisville (north)
Spencer County- (east)
Nelson County- (southeast)
Hardin County- Fort Knox (southwest)
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 61,236 people, 22,171 households, and 17,736 families residing in the county. The population density was 205 per square mile (79 /km2). There were 23,160 housing units at an average density of 77 per square mile (30 /km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.07% White, 0.38% Black or African American, 0.34% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.16% from other races, and 0.77% from two or more races. 0.63% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race.There were 22,171 households out of which 39.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.40% were married couples living together, 10.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.00% were non-families. 16.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.07.The age distribution was 27.20% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 32.70% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 7.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 98.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.20 males.The median income for a household in the county was $50,058 (2005), and the median income for a family was $49,481. Males had a median income of $35,851 versus $24,098 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,339. About 6.20% of families and 7.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.40% of those under age 18 and 7.60% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
Although large-scale residential development hasn't made its way south of county seat Shepherdsville, the growth is apparent in and around that town and in Mount Washington, as well as points north along I-65 towards Hillview. Both Shepherdsville and Mount Washington have stretched their boundaries such that they are nearly touching each other. The 10-mile (16 km) stretch of Kentucky 44 that connects the two towns have homes nearly the entire expanse.
Schools
Bullitt County is served by Bullitt County Public Schools.There are 3 High Schools:Bullitt Central High School, located in Shepherdsville
Bullitt East High School, located in Mount Washington
North Bullitt High School, located in Hebron Estates (served by the Shepherdsville post office)
County infrastructure
Jewish Hospital Medical Center South, opened in Hillview in May 2006. It's a $35 million, 49,000-square-foot (4,600 m2) outpatient center that provides surgery, diagnostic imaging and 24-hour emergency care, with an adjacent 24,000-square-foot (2,200 m2) medical office building.Status: A 60 inpatient hospital bed was approved in 2009 but expansion has not yet begun.
Bullitt Community College, Bullitt County officials and business leaders as well as theKentucky Community and Technical College Systemare working toward the development of a permanent college campus in Bullitt County. The county has agreed to donate 40 acres (160,000 m2) near the intersection of Kentucky 245 and Interstate 65 for a permanent campus, but will need $28 million to $35 million for construction and equipment costs.Status: Planning stage.
Heritage Hill, an upscale residential golf community, located off Kentucky 480. A multi-year development covering 840 acres (3.4 km2) with 40% preserved as green space, a seven-mile (11 km) walking trail, a farmhouse which was built in the early 19th century being converted into a community center, and an 18-hole championship public golf course.Status: Construction began in early 2005, with 1,200 home sites planned for the 840-acre (3.4 km2) development in the next 10 to 12 years.
County
There are several police agencies in Bullitt County. The primary law enforcement agency in the county is the Bullitt County Sheriff. The current Sheriff of Bullitt County is Donnie Tinnell. The Sheriff's Office is an elected position and is staffed by 34 Deputy Sheriff's, and four office staff. There are also 9 Deputies and Court Certified Security Officers (CCSOs) who provide courthouse security as required by Kentucky law. The Sheriff's office provides patrol, crime prevention, criminal investigation; and all other police related functions in the county. The primary areas for the Sheriff's patrol division are the unincorporated areas in Bullitt County they also provide backup for the various city police agencies. Since 1989 the Sheriff's Office has been contracted by the County Fiscal Court to provide the County Police force to the citizens of Bullitt County after the County Police Department was folded. The County Sheriff's Office has deputies assigned to the Drug Task Force, Arson Task Force, Accident Reconstruction Team, Rapid Response Team, Technical Operations, ATV Squad, Boat Patrol, Hostage Negoations, and an Incident Command Team. Most of the services are provided while on duty or for free by Special Deputies who serve their county for free, even paying for their own equipment, uniforms, and sidearm.The Sheriff's Office also collects taxes for most of the other agencies in Bullitt County with the exception of the cities.
Municipalities
The cities of Bullitt County are staffed by City Police Departments in accordance with KRS Chapter 95. There are 5 City Police Departments in Bullitt County.
Shepherdsville
The Shepherdsville Police Department provides protection to the City of Shepherdsville with 25 officers including bike patrols, K9's, and members on the Bullitt County Drug Task Force and Bullitt County Accident Reconstruction Team. For more information please visit there website www.sheppolice.com Shepherdsville's Chief is Col. Doug Puckett, Chief Puckett retired from the Louisville Police Department.
City of Hillview
The City of Hillview Police Department provides 15 Police Officers who are community oriented and have bike patrols, several community based events each year, and give their community a professional organization. Please visit their website at www.hillviewkycityhall.com for more information. In 2008 Col Aaron Yates was appointed Chief of Police for the City of Hillview leaving the Jefferson County, KY Sheriff's Office after 10 years.
Mount Washington
The Mount Washington Police Department recently built a new station staffs 16 officers for the Mount Washington city limits. They recently appointed Col. Roy Daughtery as the new Chief.
Pioneer Village
The City of Pioneer Village is land locked between Fox Chase, Hebron Estates, and Hillview. Chief Dave Greenwell spent years with the County Sheriff's Office prior to taking the reins of Pioneer Village as interim Chief and later appointed by the Mayor as Chief. Pioneer Village has approximately 10 officers who assist and receive assistance from Hillview working close together with neighboring agencies. Pioneer Village is also contracted by the City of Fox Chase for Police Protection.
Lebanon Junction
Located in the southern most tip of Bullitt County, Lebanon Junction is the entry point to Bullitt County on I-65, has major rail lines traveling through it, and is bordered by the legendary Fort Knox to its west. LJPD is compromised of approximately 6 officers.
State
There are also personnel from the Kentucky State Police that reside in and patrol Bullitt County. Currently there are three troopers and one detective that engage in traffic and criminal enforcment.[citation needed] The State Police is mostly a supplemental entity to local law enforcement. However, they do initiate investigations independently of the local police.
Fire protection
Fire protection is provided by both Kentucky Chapter 75 and 95 Districts and Departments. Zoneton Fire Protection District, Mount Washington Fire Protection District, and the Shepherdsville Division of Fire are currently staffed with a 24-hour professional firefighting staff.Nichols, Southeast Bullitt, and Lebanon Junction are all volunteer-based.Zoneton Fire District
Mt. Washington Fire District
Nichols Fire District
Southeast Bullitt Fire Department
Shepherdsville Fire Department
Lebanon Junction Fire Department
Zoneton
Zoneton Fire Protection District is 59 square miles (153 km²) with coverage from two stations. A $1 million expansion to Station 1 was completed in October 2006 providing more offices, apparatus storage, dormitories, and training facility. Zoneton also has live-ins at both stations to provide faster response times. In 2002 Zoneton hired the first Career Firefighters to supplement the volunteers. In 2007 3 additional firefighters were hired and again in 2008 another 3 firefighters hired in to give a full Career crew to the district. Zoneton still has a vibrant volunteer force who attend a rigorous training academy to become certified by the Ky State Fire Commission prior to being reconginzed as a firefighter. In total, Zoneton staffs 60 people in the careers and volunteer positions to ensure the coverage is adequate. Thanks to improved relations with the surrounding departments, the entire county is better off and received a much quicker dispatch and response from Mt. Washington and Shepherdsville assisting in their respective borders. Zoneton is an ISO Class 4 fire department.
Shepherdsville
Shepherdsville Division of Fire provides their residents with four man crew on staff 24 hours a day. The crew consists of a Captain, Sergeant, and two Firefighters. Shepherdsville Fire also has four live-in firefighters who live at Station 1 for a faster response time for a second apparatus. Shepherdsville Fire opened a new firehouse in November 2006, located in the Shepherdsville Government Center in addition to the existing Station 2 on Frank E. Simon Blvd. Shepherdsville also has 30-35 volunteer firefighters to augment the paid personnel. In September 2008 the City of Shepherdsville received a SAFER grant from the federal government. Six fulltime firefighters were hired as a result of this grant.
Mount Washington
The Mount Washington Fire Protection District gains operating funds as a taxing district which was established in 1970. They service a 43-square-mile (110 km2) area in the north eastern corner of Bullitt county, Kentucky and average approximately 350 calls a year. The district has three stations , and an administrative building and are currently staffed by 45 volunteers, 12 full-time career firefighters, and other personnel who fill various support and administrative duties
Emergency Medical Services
The Bullitt County Emergency Medical Service (BCEMS) provides all emergency medical care and transport in Bullitt County including services from Jewish Medical Center South to other hospitals in the area. BCEMS is a division of Bullitt County Fiscal Court and authorized and funded by the County through taxes. Mike Phillips is the current Director of Emergency Medical Services and Emergency Management.
Emergency Management Agency
The Bullitt County Emergency Management Agency (BCEMA) is a KRS Chapter 39 local emergency management agency which provides an Emergency Operations Plan for emergencies and disasters. Mike Phillips is current director with Lt. Col Les Bandy running day to day operations.
Central Dispatch
Bullitt County Central Dispatch is now an arm of the Bullitt County Emergency Management Agency under the direction of Mike Phillips. The provide all E-911 services to the county residents for Police, Fire, and EMS calls for services.
Attractions
Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest
Jim Beam Distillery- Home of Jim Beam andKnob Creekbourbons.
Knob Creek Gun Range- Home of the Knob Creek Machine Gun Shoot. Although the range's postal address is in the Hardin County city of West Point, the range actually lies in Bullitt County.