Ronald L. Sowder Jr.
KY · Mayor of Simpsonville
Ronald L. Sowder Jr. is Simpsonville's mayor and a retired firefighter and paramedic who spent 25 years in emergency services, the last 12 as Simpsonville fire chief. He previously served on the Triple S Planning Commission and Appeals Board.
Where Ronald L. Sowder Jr. stands, based on their records
Supports
Government Efficiency (2 records), Public Safety and Crime Control (3 records), Housing Affordability (1 record),
Opposes
Government Spending Reduction (2 records)
Track record
Track record — Government Efficiency
Government Efficiency · 2 support
Following the police audit, proposed that the new police chief report directly to the mayor during his trial year. The commission approved it.
March 4, 2024Supports Government Efficiency
Source: cityofsimpsonvilleky.com
Proposed hiring an outside firm to audit the police department for about $6,500. The commission approved up to $7,500.
December 4, 2023Supports Government Efficiency
Source: cityofsimpsonvilleky.com
Track record — Government Spending Reduction
Government Spending Reduction · 2 oppose
Voted for the city's 2026-27 budget (Ordinance 2026-007). He also voted for the 2023-24 and 2025-26 budgets.
May 5, 2026Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: cityofsimpsonvilleky.com
Proposed setting aside $736,000 from the sale of city lots to the library as start-up money for a new park. The commission approved it.
February 20, 2024Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: cityofsimpsonvilleky.com
Track record — Public Safety and Crime Control
Public Safety and Crime Control · 3 support
Declared a local state of emergency for a snowstorm. The commission later ratified it and ended it on Feb. 3, 2026.
January 23, 2026Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: cityofsimpsonvilleky.com
Proposed putting money in the 2023-24 budget for a school resource officer at Simpsonville Elementary. The commission approved hiring one. He also proposed making Juneteenth a city holiday, which passed.
March 6, 2023Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: cityofsimpsonvilleky.com
Pressed Shelby County leaders over EMS Station 3, a Simpsonville building meant for an ambulance that had sat empty for two years.
January 17, 2023Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: pmg-ky1.com
Track record — Housing Affordability
Housing Affordability · 1 support
Voted with a 4-2 majority on the Triple S Planning Commission to approve a rezoning for Key Homes' 120-lot housing development on Gloria Drive, despite neighbors' traffic and crime worries.
September 23, 2022Supports Housing Affordability
Source: pmg-ky1.com
Track record — Public Infrastructure
Public Infrastructure · 1 support
Voted for an ordinance raising sewer rates in two steps, starting July 2025, to pay for sewer system operating costs (Ordinance 2025-004).
May 20, 2025Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: cityofsimpsonvilleky.com
Track record — General
General · 13 records
Voted to overturn a Triple S Planning Commission recommendation to rezone 54 Just A Mere Lane from homes to commercial use. Nearby residents had objected.
March 3, 2026
Source: cityofsimpsonvilleky.com
Brought a resolution opposing state collection of local occupational (payroll) taxes. The commission passed it and authorized him to sign it.
February 18, 2025
Source: cityofsimpsonvilleky.com
Voted yes to adopt Simpsonville's new zoning rules and zoning map (Ordinance 2024-012), which line up with the city's comprehensive plan.
October 7, 2024
Source: cityofsimpsonvilleky.com
Voted for an ordinance banning all cannabis businesses, including medical cannabis sales, inside Simpsonville. He had proposed the ban a month earlier.
September 3, 2024
Source: cityofsimpsonvilleky.com
Recommended adopting police pursuit and use-of-force policies that follow state police training standards. The commission approved them.
April 1, 2024
Source: cityofsimpsonvilleky.com
Recommended naming Major Brummer police chief with a one-year trial period. The commission approved it.
January 16, 2024
Source: cityofsimpsonvilleky.com
Voted to lower the city property tax rate from 9.3 cents to 9.1 cents per $100 of assessed value (Ordinance 2023-006).
August 15, 2023
Source: cityofsimpsonvilleky.com
Proposed sending the city's new comprehensive plan to Triple S planners for review. At the same meeting he voted to fire a police officer on probation for breaking department policy.
June 20, 2023
Source: cityofsimpsonvilleky.com
Voted yes to annex about 315 acres north of I-64 and east of Buck Creek Road (the Marshall property) into Simpsonville at the owner's request.
February 6, 2023
Source: cityofsimpsonvilleky.com
Left his Triple S Planning Commission seat after becoming mayor. The city commission approved his pick, Paula Garner, to serve the rest of his term.
January 3, 2023
Source: cityofsimpsonvilleky.com
Was elected mayor of Simpsonville without an opponent in the November 2022 general election.
November 8, 2022
Source: pmg-ky1.com
Retired as Simpsonville fire chief after 22 years with the department, the last 12 as chief. He also worked nearly 25 years full time for the Shively Fire Department.
August 1, 2022
Source: pmg-ky1.com
As Simpsonville fire chief, declared a hazardous-materials scene and evacuated the area after leaking chlorine tanks were found buried in a yard. No one was hurt.
July 10, 2013
Source: pmg-ky1.com
Past race Ronald L. Sowder Jr. ran in:
- MAYOR City of Simpsonville · November 3, 2026 · Simpsonville city, Kentucky · incumbent