LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Bonnieville, a small city Hart County city about an hour south of Louisville, no longer exists. Residents voted to dissolve the city on Election Day by a margin of seven votes.

Like every Sunday, church bells filled the morning air in Bonnieville. But this week was a little different. 

“I like Bonnieville," said Rufus Skaggs, resident. "Small-town community; everybody knows everybody. That's just a good place to be." 

About 260 people live in the community, and Skaggs is one of many who have spent most of their life there.

“I’m 34 years old; I've been down here since I was about seven or so,” he said.

Skaggs was elected to next year’s city council, but it won’t exist. Bonnieville residents voted 67 to 60 in favor of dissolving the city, meaning the city and its assets will be passed off to Hart County.

“We have full support from the county, the judge and I think there’ll be a lot more took care of down here with county equipment and such that we didn't have as an incorporated city,” Skaggs said.

Even though Bonnieville won't be a city anymore, signs at the community’s limits were set up.

But the signs that lined North Dixie Highway came down, and the city streetlights are off, except for the lights residents are paying Louisville Gas & Electric and Kentucky Utilities to keep on.

“Of course they took down our Bonnieville established signs, and few street lights are still off; a lot of them are being taken over by residents," Skaggs said. "I have mine on; a few neighbors down the road have theirs on." 

Bonnieville will still be Bonnieville, just without the city title.

“It's just a good little hometown,” Skaggs said.

Marie Whitlow, Bonnieville mayor, said she is handing off the City Hall keys to Hart County Monday, Dec. 9. 

LG&E and KU said it sent letters to residents informing them they have the option to pay for the former city lights. The average cost of those streetlights per month is between $8 and $14, depending on the type of light.

Residential service was not affected.