City Councilman Resigns; Trash issues discussed

 

Lynn Bledsoe

Edmonson News

 

Brownsville City Council held its regular meeting on March 3, 2025. All members were present except Justin Meredith, who was at work at BGFD.

In the bills to be paid, Mayor Ricky Simon reported the recent gas leak. Mayor Simon also stated that while a small leak was detected there was another issue found. One of the batteries in the fire trucks had shorted out and needed immediate replacement.

The issue of garbage rates was addressed once again. Mayor Ricky Simon said he has checked with some area cities of the relative size of Brownsville for their prices as a comparison. Councilwoman Melinda Van Meter stated she had checked with Scott Waste, who services the county, and reported their rates. She had no results on the commercial rates. Mayor Simon asked the Council to bring some ideas on rates and dumpster pickup charges to the next meeting. The City Council has been discussing garbage rates since August of 2024 with no action taken so far.

Resident Kathleen Bolton addressed the council about buzzards roosting near her home and in Brownsville. Mayor Simon stated he had contacted Fish and Wildlife because some species are protected. He had not received a reply but suggested she continue to scare them away with loud noise.

The City Council then went into a closed session.

 

 

After the council was opened back up to the public Mayor Simon gave the mayor’s updates. He found that he could purchase some used trash cans from Hancock County and dumpsters from Green River Waste, due to them changing over the type they use. All are in good condition and would save the city over $4,000.

In police updates, Chief Jeremy Hodges stated he has hired a new officer, Mike Hatler, for a part-time position. Hatler has 25 years of experience with the Warren County Sheriff’s Department and KSP. Chief Hodges also stated he has applied for a grant to purchase new tasers. The software to read the use of the tasers will become outdated, before long. He is also applying for grants to outfit the department with a new ballistic vest.

Anthony Duvall asked if anyone had an idea of how many picnic tables were damaged during the recent flooding. Mayor Simon apologized for not getting the tables out but stated they had no idea how quickly the flooding would happen, especially since Lock 5 was taken out.

 

 

Councilman David Campbell resigned at the end of the meeting. He explained that he was moving out of the city and did not want to leave a black eye on the council by retaining his position even though he still owned property within the city limits. He expressed how much he had enjoyed working with the other council members and encouraged them to continue with the campsites at the city park and to continue to work for Brownsville’s residents. “If City Hall doesn’t try to step up to the plate, we are going to be like Bonnieville.”, Campbell stated referring to the diminished city.

The city council was adjourned.