HARDINSBURG (04/09/24) — The Hardinsburg City Council approved a 4% Annual CPI increase charged to the city for water, trash and sewer services during Tuesday’s meeting. Project Manager Brett Mingus said the increase amounts to an additional 56-hundred dollars charged to the city. City Clerk David Bollinger reminded council members the 5.5% increase on the services approved by the Council previously will begin with the July 1st billing.
The Council gave authority to Mingus to bid out for a Dual-axle garbage truck in the 25-26 fiscal year budget on the state contract, then bid if not. Cost would be $300,000.
Quarterly Financial Statements were presented to the Council, who was informed that the budget would have to be amended to reflect the numbers cited in the report.
A list for 2024 Street Maintenance list was presented to the council: among the streets on the list include: Sunset Drive, intersection of Morning Drive/High Street to top of the hill; intersection of Hardin Street/East 2nd to Mailbox 209, Bennett Lane, Third Street from Breckinridge to Five Star, City Hall Gravel parking lot, Westview Church and Tiffany Lane patch, reseal and stripe of City Hall parking lot and Chambliss Drive among others. Mingus asked council if they do receive comments about other streets and sidewalks to notify him.
The panel approved the 2nd reading of the ordinance for new wholesale water rates to Cloverport and Irvington and allowed to let stand a Planning and Zoning Board vote re-zoning of a location on Docile Drive from R-1 to R-3. Council woman Nettie Parker attempted to move to override the ruling but the motion died for lack of a second. An attempt to second by Council woman Susan Shelman could not be accepted she was participated due to being on video conference.
Council was presented an ordinance for first reading to increase the amount for bidding from 30,000 to $40,000.
The Council held a brief closed session. Upon return, the Council voted to buy out the contract of a Sheriff’s Deputy at a cost of $35,000 for the purpose of hiring as a new officer. An amendment to the budget will be needed to cover the salary.
In the Police Department monthly report, Assistant Chief Lucas reported they responded to 209 calls for service in March. Daylight Firearms Qualification is scheduled for April 11th. The Council agreed with a request to amend the budget to allow for the purchase of a police vehicle with the cost not to exceed $38,000 or 50,000 miles. There were two vehicles being looked at that fit the criterion.
In the Fire Department report, Chief Nathan Smith said 47 fire runs last month. Smith added the department was working on a pair of grant applications and the annual “Battle of the Badges” fundraiser to benefit the Crusade For Children was set for May 18th.
Bollinger read a report from Planning and Zoning Director Larry Hatfield noting that work was underway to address complaints in the Gilbert Heights trailer park.
Bollinger and Smith updated items brought up at the last council meeting: efforts would be made to replace or upgrade a city warning siren on the east side of town. Bollinger spoke with the State Highway Department regarding the number of injury accidents at the intersection of Kentucky 261 and the U.S. 60 Bypass. He said the state would look into adjusting the size and height of traffic signals with the five-year goal of creating a roundabout at the intersection.
