City Budget Approved

By PJ Martin

Editor, The Herald-News

 

The Edmonton City Council met in regular session on Monday, June 1^st, at Edmonton City Hall. Those in attendance were Mayor Doug Smith, Councilmembers Teresa Hamlett, Curt Estes, Cathy Nunn, Faye Word, and Tommy England. 911 Director Jordan Crump and City Attorney Brian Pack were not in attendance.

Others in attendance were City Clerk/Administrator Dawn Devore, Public Works Superintendent Moe Hensley, Police Chief David Robertson, Brandon Glass, ABC Administrator Fred Ray, Park & Recreation Director Brian Garrett, and PJ Martin from The Herald-News.

The mayor opened the meeting and declared a quorum present, and the minutes from the May 4^th meeting were approved.

The first reading of Ordinance # 2025-26-09 to close a portion of Lakeview Drive was discussed. Mayor Smith stated, “Council Pack has been in contact with the owner. Both sides of the street that lead straight to their house have signed a consent closure to the program with at least 436 linear feet of Lakeview Drive.”

Devore explained where it would close, “The old Wes Jolly House, the hill. It ends at the curve, and so it looks like the street actually goes up to their house. And this will close that hill for public access.”

Nunn made the motion to accept the 1^st reading, a second was made by Estes, and the motion was approved.

Next, the mayor presented his budget message. The following are excerpts from his message.

“Health insurance programs have an increase this year of 7%. We are still waiting on prices for property, liability, and workman’s comp.

The parks and recreation department has continued to budget funds for the new Edmonton Memorial Park improvement project. We have filed an extension on the community development block grant, an amount of $750,000. As we are still waiting to hear back from the ARC grant for the balance of the community center with the amphitheater, we have included some funds for grants that have been applied for…

Police Department is requesting funds to purchase radios and software updates. Thermal portal printers, cruisers, and continued upgrades to the evidence room.

Public Works Department requests funding for a mini-excavator, leak detection meter, gas meter replacement, and locator. Sewer Department requests funds for a manhole and a smoke blower. Also, we have included the fences and close behind the Wallace House, and dirt work and rock for the maintenance lot.

The city has budgeted funds for capital improvements for the water, sewer, and gas departments, and have budgeted to begin the sewer project that we received $2 million from HB 900, and we received $4 million in fiscal year 2027-2028 to complete this project. We have also applied for a $9 million grant to upgrade parts of our gas infrastructure.

The Edmonton Fire Department will continue to seek funding for fire truck equipment that needs to be replaced. Edmonton Metcalfe County 911 became part of our payroll this past year, and we have included the income for one-half of the estimated payroll and expenses in this budget.

We will continue to honor our commitments to various organizations that depend on city funding… I have included the cost of living increase of 84 cents per hour for all employees. Merit pay increases will be based on employees’ evaluations…

After much discussion and research, my office has been in contact with the Kentucky League of Cities, our attorney, our auditor, and the BRADD office to help with this great opportunity for our community. You will see a new to this year’s budget line items in each department entitled Fresh Market Grocery Development Grant. This would be a grant the city is offering to prospective grocers to locate in the city limits of Edmonton. These funds will total up to $750,000. And we will be working with BRADD to set up grant guidelines for this council to approve soon. I continue working hard to ensure a grocery store that can and will locate here and fill these funds could assist.”

The first reading of Ordinance # 2026-27-01 for the FY 2026-27 Budget was approved.

Next was Ordinance # 2025-06-10, a budget amendment to the general fund for a $3,000 donation to the Metcalfe County Fair Board. The ordinance was approved.

The department reports were presented next. Hensley listed, “We’ve done four water taps, fixed nine leaks, and we’ll replace the gas meter… replaced the roof on the gazebo, the senior center… put up flags around town… and we got okayed today for our Nunnally Road plans from the Division of Water.”

Police Chief Robertson presented the May report: 14 arrests, 3 non-injury accidents, 1 injury accident, 4 alarms, 2 animal complaints, 5 domestic disputes, 1 DUI, 1 EPO, 2 fights, 1 incomplete 911 call, 4 new investigations, 6 motorist assists, 6 medical calls, 40 traffic stops, 1 trash complaint, 8 warrants, and 3 funeral escorts. Total complaints were 64, and total citations were 27. They patrolled 3,694 miles.

Chief Robertson also stated that the department would be hiring a new officer named Chris Ford, stating, “He’s a certified officer, been certified for over 20 years. Military vet.”

Brandon Glass was present to give the Edmonton Fire Department run report for May, with 3 medical, 5 lift assists, 1 injury accident, 1 non-injury accident, and 1 fire investigation.

A special-called meeting was discussed for Thursday.

There were no city attorney updates, and the meeting was adjourned.

The special called meeting was held on Thursday, June 4^th, at 3 p.m. for the second reading of the ordinances.

The second reading of Ordinance #2025-26-09 to close a portion of Lakeview Drive was approved after motions by Hamlett and Estes.

Ordinance # 2026-27-01 for the FY 2026-27 Budget, and motions to approve the second reading were made by Nunn, seconded by Beard, and the budget was approved.

The second reading of Ordinance #2025-26-10 to amend the budget to allow the donation of $3,000 to the Metcalfe County Fair Board was approved after motions by Hamlett and Estes.

There were no other items on the special agenda, so the meeting adjourned.