Litchfield council approves zoning text change, adopts new tax ordinance and approves appointments, vehicle donation

Litchfield City Council on Sept. 2 adopted a city ordinance to update zoning text procedures to conform with Kentucky law and approved a separate ordinance imposing ad valorem taxes and a bank franchise/local deposit tax for the 2025 tax year. The council also appointed Theresa Clemens to the Planning and Zoning Commission, declared a 2013 Dodge Charger surplus and approved donating it to the Magoffin County Sheriff’s Department, and approved documents to create the Litchfield–Grayson County Economic Development Board and a related interlocal agreement.

The zoning-text amendment revises provisions of Ordinance 99-6 (originally enacted July 1999) so the planning commission will hold at least one public hearing on text amendments and the process will conform to Kentucky Revised Statutes, Chapter 100. The council took the measure on second and final reading and approved it by roll call.

The council also adopted a second ordinance on second and final reading setting the city's ad valorem rates and imposing the local branch bank franchise/deposit tax for the 2025 tax year. Councilmember Tim voted against the tax ordinance and explained his position during debate: "If there was an articulable reason to raise taxes, I would consider that. There is not." Other councilmembers voted in favor and the ordinance passed on second reading.

In other formal actions, the council: - Appointed Theresa Clemens to fill a vacancy on the Planning and Zoning Commission; she will move from the Board of Adjustments, creating a vacancy on that board to be filled later. - Declared a 2013 Dodge Charger surplus, then approved transferring the vehicle to the Magoffin County Sheriff's Department without a public sale as a government-to-government transfer. Police staff noted the car has some body damage and obsolete in-car equipment but is mechanically serviceable. - Approved a resolution and an interlocal agreement to establish the Litchfield–Grayson County Economic Development Board; the documents include a requirement that the board produce a budget by February each year so the city and county can incorporate it into their budgets. - Scheduled a public hearing for zoning request RZ-25-137; staff indicated the earliest allowable hearing date is Oct. 20, 2025, if required newspaper notice and property-owner notifications are posted on the publication schedule described in state law. - Entered executive session under KRS 61.810(1)(f) for personnel matters and later returned to regular session; after the session a brief recap of an employment change was given.

Quotes and roll-call results are taken from council proceedings. The text of the tax ordinance as read in the meeting included specific per-100-valuation figures and a deposit-tax percentage, but several numeric phrases in the audio transcript were garbled; the council document on file at City Hall contains the exact rates and effective dates. The council recorded votes on the measures by roll call as noted in meeting minutes.

Votes at a glance (as recorded in the meeting): - Zoning text amendment (second and final reading): Motion by Billing, second by Clayton; roll call recorded Tim: Yes; George: Yes; Clayton: Yes; Terry: Aye. Outcome: approved. - Ad valorem tax and local bank franchise/deposit tax ordinance (second and final reading): Motion (second reading sequence recorded twice); final motion by Terry, second by Tutti; roll call recorded Tim: Nay; George: Aye; Clayton: Aye; Terry: Aye; Tutti: Aye; Billy: Aye. Outcome: approved. - Appointment of Theresa Clemens to Planning and Zoning Commission: Motion by George, second by Clayton; all in favor. Outcome: approved (Clemens appointed). - Surplus and donation of 2013 Dodge Charger to Magoffin County Sheriff's Department: Motion by Billy, second by Clayton; all in favor. Outcome: approved (vehicle surplus declared and donation authorized). - Resolution to create Litchfield–Grayson County Economic Development Board and interlocal agreement: Motions and votes recorded as approved; council asked staff to finalize interlocal forms for signatures. - Schedule public hearing RZ-25-137: staff advised earliest hearing Oct. 20, 2025 based on publication and notice timelines; council directed staff to set the hearing and send required notices. - Executive session under KRS 61.810(1)(f) (personnel): Motion and second recorded; council entered and later returned to regular session and gave a brief personnel recap.

The council also approved the Aug. 18 meeting minutes and ratified bills during the consent portion of the meeting.

A copy of the ordinances and the text of the tax ordinance are available at City Hall; the council referenced Kentucky Revised Statutes Chapter 100 (zoning procedures) and KRS Chapter 136 (financial institution taxes) during readings.