Jessamine County Welcomes New Magistrate as Leadership Transition Aims to Enhance Community Services

Jessamine County, Kentucky has welcomed a new magistrate following a recent appointment by Governor Andy Beshear. On November 13, 2024, Fred Allen Meyer was appointed as the magistrate for the First District. He was officially sworn into office on November 19, 2024, marking the beginning of his term at the Jessamine County Fiscal Court meeting later that day.

Meyer, a graduate from the University of Kentucky‘s Gatton School of Business, holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. He currently serves as Principal Consultant at Logan Development Group. His appointment fills the vacancy left by Justin Ray, who resigned after being appointed as deputy judge-executive for Jessamine County in October 2024.

Ray’s transition to deputy judge-executive came after a vote by the other magistrates, necessitating his resignation from the magistrate position due to the conflict of holding both roles. Despite stepping down, Ray emphasized his commitment to the fiscal court, stating, “I’m still definitely a part of our Fiscal Court, it’s just in a full-time administrative role.”

Judge-Executive David West noted the importance of reinstating the deputy judge-executive position, which had been vacant for over two decades. According to West, this role is critical as the county engages in various initiatives such as allocating ARPA funding and collaborating on capital projects.

Ray is confident that the return of the deputy judge position will enhance the county’s operational efficiency, which he describes as “crazy busy.” The county recently enlisted the help of Nancy Wiser from Wiser Strategies to update its website, expected to be completed by the end of December. This initiative aims to enhance public interaction with the county’s services.

Among the projects on the mind of the division is the long-awaited Recreation Community Center. While no timeline for its completion has been established, Ray expressed optimism about the project’s potential benefits for the community, recognizing the need for inclusive recreational opportunities for all residents. “People deserve the rec center… it’s not just about kids,” he stated, highlighting the need for facilities that cater to all demographic groups.

This transition in leadership marks a significant step for Jessamine County as it navigates a busy agenda focused on enhancing community services and infrastructure.