[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6529296,"mediaKeyId","3804231-61b27c5e4e82b6794269c491b99e9118","parentId",3804231,"title","Georgetown council adopts $25.36 million FY‑26 water and sewer budget, stresses plant upgrades and conservative growth assumptions","audioSeconds",1967,"startMs",2529000,"endMs",4496000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3804231-61b27c5e4e82b6794269c491b99e9118&start=2529&end=4496","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3804231-61b27c5e4e82b6794269c491b99e9118/thumbnail_2529000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6529296/Georgetown-City/Scott-County/Kentucky/Georgetown-council-adopts-2536-million-FY26-water-and-sewer-budget-stresses-plant-upgrades-and-conservative-growth-assumptions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6529296-a505db06a09e57a3b2672b6e3cab0716/orig.mp4?Expires=1775192284&Signature=krQAV-2hRpcIISqmIYTBPeCx7Ghyke35xugu1B-FZOHhJyGaBQ-MgGeIHy4s7Pt52eQs05yvPjAWI4RKNWnXeAvKrfPAa-3-jvES4Ier1nixMPYHjnRI2iBPevgQZ~cnmt5QvKUyNoYaaoLG-0NlREQvMKF~2jUbt~cppjTN3-ga4knD1NOOts3S8yQOppBtMN~jnzjd-AZc23o1hSHuGwYEACI-2pWhoMchXrKDTZPepgJEcs~zCK9lJrOUNSyBus2Ksvyw089NALho2cOv5WnloeXTgfVmPHJ-~vm4DY~p4vRp4MHy8J8qdR3y7cKVLkckbHIv-uwW25xZVmr0vQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Georgetown, KY","date","2025-06-10T13:58:27.88Z","article","The Georgetown City Council on Monday approved the Fiscal Year 2026 operating and capital budget for the Georgetown Municipal Water and Sewer Service, a $25,359,991 revenue plan City staff said will fund ongoing operations, capital projects and the completion of a wastewater treatment plant upgrade.

City staff presented the budget and answered council questions before the council voted by voice in favor. Staff said the budget is built on the city’s February 2023 water and sanitary sewer rate ordinance and conservative assumptions about new connections and consumption.

City staff said the budget reflects revenue of $25,359,991, an 18.59% increase from the FY25 budget, and projects operational expenditures of $24,289,856 plus roughly $3.1 million in interest expense. Major drivers include depreciation tied to Plant 1 becoming beneficially usable (staff projected beneficial use by Sept. 30, 2025 and included 10 months of depreciation), increased water purchases while the plant is taken offline for maintenance, higher sludge disposal costs, and planned capital work on interceptors and distribution lines.

Chase, a city staff presenter, said the FY26 budget continues the city’s multi‑year capital plan, including continued work on Wastewater Treatment Plant 1 upgrade and expansion, the DeShaix/Water Street interceptor replacement, a south side tank and distribution upgrades and a Pump Station 20 replacement (partly developer funded). Jeff, identified as the city’s finance director, walked council through revenues and expense categories and noted that depreciation on a roughly $60 million investment in Plant 1 is a major new expense included for FY26. Jeff said fund‑level revenue for Fund 1 is budgeted at $22,730,279 and Fund 2 at $2,629,007.12.

Staff said the budget uses a conservative approach to new connections, budgeting 150 new water and sewer connections (a figure the administration described as intentionally cautious after prior overestimates). Chase and Jeff said the administration will revisit connection assumptions when Plant 1 reaches beneficial use and when backlog projects come online. Staff also noted a recent renegotiation of a wholesale purchase agreement with Frankfort Plant Board that will reduce the wholesale price while the city purchases more water during planned plant maintenance.

Council members pressed staff on consumption and connection trends. Jeff said consumption assumptions in the city’s rate model do not include escalators and are based on recent fiscal‑year consumption; staff reported about a 5.7% increase in water consumption since FY22 and roughly an 11% increase in sewer consumption over the same period, with FY25 projected higher still. Chase said backlog demand for Plant 1 is small (six or seven projects remain queued for Plant 1) but larger projects could shift timing into FY27.

The budget package also includes personnel and benefit assumptions: a 2.9% cost‑of‑living increase for employees, an additional merit pool up to 1%, and a projected 5.85% decrease in Kentucky CERS retirement system contributions as provided by the retirement system. Staff said group health insurance renewals were favorable; the high‑deductible plan saw no increase and the PPO rose about 4%.

On capital, staff highlighted FY26 departmental capital of $1,794,697, a Toyota‑reimbursed fund 2 capital line of $2,650,000 and a vehicle replacement budget of $130,227 (including continuing a multi‑year sinking fund for a camera truck). Chase said fleet age and possible additional vehicle needs remain concerns and he may return with supplemental requests.

Council approved the FY26 water and sewer budget by voice vote after the presentation. Staff said several capital projects are partially funded through rate revenue and grants, and noted that an ARPA allocation must be spent by December 2026 for at least one project (the DeShaix/Water Street interceptor).

The council also approved a separate municipal order at the same meeting covering other routine items (see \"Votes at a glance\" for details). Staff said they will bring additional grant‑funded projects to council later with no rate impact to customers.

Looking ahead, staff said they will monitor connections and consumption when Plant 1 reaches beneficial use and will return to the board with any recommended adjustments to assumptions or to request additional capital or vehicle funding if needed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Georgetown City Council Meeting – June 9, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Georgetown City Council on Monday approved the Fiscal Year 2026 operating and capital budget for the Georgetown Municipal Water and Sewer Service, a $25,359,991 revenue plan City staff said will fund ongoing operations, capital projects and the completion of a wastewater treatment plant upgrade.","taxTitle","Georgetown City, Scott County, Kentucky","taxId",55608,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6529282,"Council to consider state law on ATVs/UTVs after constituent inquiry; county exploring draft ordinance",246,5524000,5770000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3804231-61b27c5e4e82b6794269c491b99e9118&start=5524&end=5770","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3804231-61b27c5e4e82b6794269c491b99e9118/thumbnail_5524000.jpg","/articles/6529282/Georgetown-City/Scott-County/Kentucky/Council-to-consider-state-law-on-ATVsUTVs-after-constituent-inquiry-county-exploring-draft-ordinance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6529282-33103f3398467990189f8677461fa82b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775192284&Signature=R~zm5L3PtT7X~rm3JcFopekOWRKiYzjH~d~wzH~xm6kQVKloUiSYmcr9e7fTEzx7lShLpcCw7mnGXG3LYov8Jh4ZpGfXA0-qQD7W-d1CKuPak1Psf3tlnGHhnROSGgb6lfeUTUd17iG6KxDrGZXrE8tXYv9iTVPQC36hJlaB0Uut640Db9kJFCcb20LyKEjyduRUpnVaEJ90Xjj1AWo0SectqpDYhGMUjE9g9mZT6gRrq2Xe1jrDnge4la2EcF5yWHrnyiP7JrzP~2X6dAZ6Z-9qV0QY7xPHarv62r8RIp6e~38VocEz8qTtVQtoSTqBYGxRG1n-cKLUVTDE~scpHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members on Monday discussed recent state legislation (Senate Bill 63) that allows municipalities to opt in to permitting operation of all‑purpose vehicles, such as ATVs and utility task vehicles, on local roads. The matter was raised by a constituent and a local dealer, and council agreed to place the issue on a future agenda for more information.

A council member summarized the options discussed at a Scott County work session — do nothing (leave vehicles prohibited on city streets), adopt an ordinance allowing the vehicles, or adopt an ordinance allowing them with exemptions for specified roads. Council asked staff to consult with the city attorney and the police department and invited a representative from local Powersports to present the business perspective.

Council members noted the county is developing draft language and will discuss the topic further at a July 3 work session; some council members said the city may find it easier to manage such vehicles within municipal streets than at county scale. The council directed staff to place the item on a future agenda.","Councilmembers discussed Senate Bill 63, the March law governing all‑purpose vehicles, and agreed to place the matter on a future agenda for more information including input from police and stakeholders.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6529286,"Georgetown continues review of backyard‑chicken framework and development impact fee; staff seeks stakeholder input",88,5288000,5376000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3804231-61b27c5e4e82b6794269c491b99e9118&start=5288&end=5376","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3804231-61b27c5e4e82b6794269c491b99e9118/thumbnail_5288000.jpg","/articles/6529286/Georgetown-City/Scott-County/Kentucky/Georgetown-continues-review-of-backyardchicken-framework-and-development-impact-fee-staff-seeks-stakeholder-input","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6529286-c501e03069a1014d511498b4a31dbee5/orig.mp4?Expires=1775192284&Signature=DiVqgx7SHmXKEs8c65Ydp3MqGLeyXo5qVh7JPlxp-TJOVu8pHli17AtxUmlXWS5uvd2CJCgZgyiOF6Bp9~IufAZiyvG1A7lfj3-STsNiD7CPF4VB2c4jrggSzB2vnSSvo1am3HM~qUW2oMm-QKPUrdfUxQ-rzNCm1b8Zqs8w8s~t3Dl-ffN9vcoO8TOvzx1sjPyqNmeXZv~jE06DUbD8DhMYIDWT3Nob-E1Vf18-Ezd3JtDLhk1dOzf4nyNe3mBlEK1Ky5e46QYpvfDNz9aa5kn1kl6lbXoENVL1PYdschsXDFqQGEm4kBZyHWsa0nG3BEXWI3Gredb3wJMmv-e4oQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Georgetown City Council on Monday continued work on two ongoing items — a proposed backyard‑chicken ordinance and a development impact fee study — without taking final votes.

On backyard chickens, staff said the city has gathered feedback from animal control, code enforcement and other departmental stakeholders and will present a final ordinance later. Council members and staff discussed key policy choices including whether to allow roosters (staff said most comparable ordinances disallow roosters), whether slaughter for personal consumption should be permitted (department feedback noted a difference between commercial slaughter and personal consumption), and whether the city should maintain a centralized list of active permits accessible to animal control, code enforcement and dispatch.

A staff memo cited a proposed Section 9 that would prohibit breeding or slaughtering within city limits; staff and council told attendees that departments had suggested personal‑consumption slaughter at the household level could be permitted while commercial slaughter or sale would remain prohibited. Council members asked that a permit registry be made available to enforcement departments so officers can verify active permits quickly.

On the development impact fee, staff reported a stakeholders meeting had been held and a dedicated webpage with the presentation and comment submission process will be created. The staff presentation and subsequent remarks highlighted that the consultant’s contract includes a limited number of in‑person visits and the city will evaluate whether additional in‑person engagement is warranted to reach stakeholders who could not attend virtual meetings.

Council directed staff to continue stakeholder outreach, post presentation materials and open a channel for written feedback. No final ordinance or fee schedule was adopted Monday.","Council continued discussion of a proposed backyard‑chicken ordinance and a development impact fee program, heard stakeholder feedback and department concerns, and directed staff to refine draft language and post materials online for additional comment.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6529291,"Georgetown council approves grant match, audit contract and multiple routine orders in Monday meeting",100,4567000,4667000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3804231-61b27c5e4e82b6794269c491b99e9118&start=4567&end=4667","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3804231-61b27c5e4e82b6794269c491b99e9118/thumbnail_4567000.jpg","/articles/6529291/Georgetown-City/Scott-County/Kentucky/Georgetown-council-approves-grant-match-audit-contract-and-multiple-routine-orders-in-Monday-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6529291-f81133c454353de3d2c281fb78c9b768/orig.mp4?Expires=1775192284&Signature=Fxp9eOMPQAI1BlI3qa9izkEE-ZtivlIVGHl7Hi2jNDdmp8Lhos-WYRCGvm4iL5cOvD2S7DTv-Fnng0-NXtc32u~eSKe8g1DVAvc9Xx2IzFgINVnaR99TQY0CEdepqcCrs~X2kLd64Ee0gL0D9ZmZP4Wux9nKcZICvQR-9PdzUdsHDbPfw4QVr~9WIET5iuNp3vgKlcVdTBts6pGEYjJ40MZAK4fWIjdP9Q-XLuVMcPq2fGbV1T-eSUTKrFJBgA5dKzJVVoH-YrRqkvXAAmVYdtzyXMUgbuTJPXWJTdXQ9BNcEA~tfwzzw1TNlLsJBAKWTx87s5bQQq6E5aFzG~frEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Georgetown City Council on Monday approved several resolutions and municipal orders that city staff said will help move capital projects and routine operations forward.

Key approvals include a resolution allowing Scott County Fiscal Court to serve as grantee for a Lane Runs Business Park Phase 3 grant and reaffirming a $100,000 city matching contribution; an award recommendation for three years of annual financial audit services to RFH Consultants; acceptance of municipal road aid program funds; approval of municipal insurance renewals through the Kentucky League of Cities; and participation in the League of Cities reverse salt auction to procure road salt.

Devon, a city staff member who briefed council on the Lane Runs grant mechanism, told the council the fiscal court will adopt a resolution to serve as the grantee, with funding flowing to the fiscal court then to the city. Devon said the project’s phase 3 budget is just under $1 million with Scott County and Scott United contributing additional funds. The council voted by voice to approve the city’s role and the $100,000 matching commitment.

Chase and city staff recommended awarding the city’s portion of the annual financial audit contract to RFH Consultants after receiving two proposals (RFH and CRI). Councilman Minkie moved the audit award with Miss Mitchell seconding; council approved by voice.

Patrick Johnston, presenting the municipal insurance renewal, said overall property and liability premiums rose about 25.6% ($192,000) and workers’ compensation increased about 38% ($140,000), driven by higher payroll, additional vehicles and higher equipment values. Council approved the insurance renewal through the municipal order by voice vote.

Other routine approvals included the municipal order to accept municipal road aid program funds (staff said the packet contained the boilerplate agreement) and a municipal order to participate in the League of Cities reverse salt auction (staff said the auction has produced cost savings in prior years). The council also moved a municipal order related to the financial audit award and approved the FY26 water and sewer budget (separately covered in this meeting’s detailed budget presentation).

Several items were discussed but not decided Monday, including a municipal order related to fire department uniforms (staff said bids had been requested and the matter will be revisited) and a personnel ordinance amendment that was introduced and read for the record (the amendment would add or change multiple personnel positions across departments and will be considered at subsequent meetings as part of the budget process).","At the June meeting the council approved a resolution naming the fiscal court as grantee for Lane Runs Business Park phase 3 funding with a $100,000 city match; awarded a three‑year audit contract to RFH Consultants; accepted municipal road aid funds; approved an insurance renewal and other routine municipal orders.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Georgetown council adopts $25.36 million FY‑26 water and sewer budget, stresses plant upgrades and conservative growth assumptions

Council to consider state law on ATVs/UTVs after constituent inquiry; county exploring draft ordinance

Georgetown continues review of backyard‑chicken framework and development impact fee; staff seeks stakeholder input

Georgetown council approves grant match, audit contract and multiple routine orders in Monday meeting