Richmond commissioners approve multiple hires, contract awards and appointments; entertain first reading to expand downtown beverage district

The Richmond City Board of Commissioners voted to approve a bundle of personnel moves, contract awards and appointments at its Aug. 26 meeting, and held a first reading of an ordinance to permanently expand hours for the downtown entertainment district.

Mayor Rob Blythe and commissioners voted unanimously to hire Chris Johnson as city attorney and ABC administrator, accept the retirement of fire department employee Brooks Elder effective Aug. 31, 2025, hire two probationary firefighters and approve multiple capital project contracts, including playground work at the Richmond Regional Sports Complex and a street-paving contract funded from the municipal road aid fund.

The city read Ordinance 25-21 for the first time, a proposal to make the downtown entertainment district a permanent, activated zone from Thursday at 11 a.m. through Sunday at 1 a.m. The ordinance would also move responsibility for approving alcohol-related permits in the district from the city manager to the city attorney as the ABC administrator; commissioners moved and seconded the measure for discussion but did not adopt it at this meeting.

City attorney hire: The board approved Order 25-126 to hire Chris Johnson as city attorney and ABC administrator, effective Sept. 2, 2025. Commissioner Newby moved the measure and Commissioner Goble seconded. Johnson addressed the board after the vote: "I'm super excited ... I am at your all's beck and call anytime you need me," he said. Roll-call votes recorded Commissioner Cole: Yes; Commissioner Goble: Yes; Commissioner Newby: Yes; Commissioner Brewer: Yes; Mayor Blythe: Yes. Outcome: approved.

Retirement acceptance: Order 25-127 accepted the retirement notice of Brooks Elder from the fire department, effective Aug. 31, 2025. The board thanked Elder for service since Feb. 2002. Motion by Commissioner Newby; second by Commissioner Brewer. Roll-call: Cole: Yes; Goble: Yes; Newby: Yes; Brewer: Yes; Mayor Blythe: Yes. Outcome: approved.

Firefighter hires: Order 25-128 authorized hiring Christopher Neal and Shane Thornton as Firefighter I positions, contingent on background checks and a 12-month probationary period, effective Sept. 19, 2025. Motion by Commissioner Cole; second by Commissioner Brewer. Roll-call: Cole: Yes; Goble: Yes; Newby: Yes; Brewer: Yes; Mayor Blythe: Yes. Outcome: approved.

Playground contracts at Richmond Regional Sports Complex: Order 25-129 awarded multiple contracts for the playground project at the Richmond Regional Sports Complex (Tate's Creek Road and Goggins Lane). The transcript lists the following submitted figures: Bluegrass Recreational Sales — Playground Area 1: $683,000; Playground Area 2 (turf only): $160,000; Playground Area 3: $249,000. Recreational Insights was listed as the installer for Playground Area 2 at $405,000. Funding was identified as coming from a bonding allocation (series not fully specified in the transcript). Commissioners discussed inclusivity features and a phased schedule; the city manager said the first half of the park is on track to open late August next year with the second half in the fall. Roll-call: Cole: Yes; Goble: Yes; Newby: Yes; Brewer: Yes; Mayor Blythe: Yes. Outcome: approved.

Housing authority appointment: Order 25-130 appointed Jamie Jordan to the Richmond Housing Authority Board to serve the remaining term through Jan. 1, 2026. The mayor noted Jordan already serves on the Section 8 board and that the dual appointment was intentional for coordination. Motion by Commissioner Newby; second recorded but not named on the transcript. Roll-call: Cole: Yes; Goble: Yes; Newby: Yes; Brewer: Yes; Mayor Blythe: Yes. Outcome: approved.

Public works hire: Order 25-131 hired Christopher Mullins as equipment operator I for the public works department, contingent on preemployment requirements and a one-year probation. Motion by Commissioner Cole; second by Commissioner Goble. Roll-call: Cole: Yes; Goble: Yes; Newby: Yes; Brewer: Yes; Mayor Blythe: Yes. Outcome: approved.

Street paving contract: Order 25-132 awarded a street-paving contract to Allen Company Inc. The transcript reports the contract amount as $463,000 (additional digits in the spoken record were unclear). The city said funding will come from the municipal road aid fund and noted initial bids exceeded available funds, so some streets were removed from the scope to reduce the total. The transcript references a public hearing held Aug. 26 as required by KRS 171.100. Roll-call: Cole: Yes; Goble: Yes; Newby: Yes; Brewer: Yes; Mayor Blythe: Yes. Outcome: approved.

Votes at a glance: The board recorded the same five affirmative roll-call votes for each order listed above: Commissioner Cole — Yes; Commissioner Goble — Yes; Commissioner Newby — Yes; Commissioner Brewer — Yes; Mayor Rob Blythe — Yes.

Why it matters: The personnel hires restore key city functions (the city attorney role had been vacant after the prior attorney accepted a judgeship) and the capital awards move several multi-hundred-thousand-dollar projects into procurement and construction phases. The ordinance first reading signals potential policy change for downtown nightlife and event operations; the board will consider a second reading at a later meeting.

What’s next: Ordinance 25-21 requires a second reading for enactment. The contract awards and hires are effective on the dates listed in each order or contingent on preemployment requirements as stated.