Prospect council raises member pay, adopts employee handbook and confirms two ethics appointees

Prospect City Council voted on Dec. 16 to raise council compensation, formally adopt an updated employee handbook and confirm two nominees to the city Ethics Commission.

The council approved Ordinance No. 646, Series 2024, moving the monthly pay for council members from $250 to $500 beginning Jan. 1, 2027. The measure passed on a 4-2 roll call after a brief debate about whether higher pay would broaden the pool of candidates and whether the figure was justified. Councilmembers approved Municipal Orders 9 and 10, consenting to two Ethics Commission nominations, and approved Municipal Order 11 to add and update the City of Prospect employee handbook.

Supporters of the pay increase cited comparative data compiled from the Kentucky League of Cities. Mayor John Evans said the council surveyed nearby cities and that the $500 figure came from the county-average for similar-sized cities. Opponents said the raise was arbitrary. Former council member Greg Huelsman, speaking during the public-comment period, urged caution but acknowledged the overall budget impact was small: "When you look at the overall budget, it's a drop in the bucket," Huelsman said, adding the change would amount to about $18,000 in additional annual cost if implemented as written.

Why it matters: Council pay and the personnel policy affect who can afford to serve and how the city manages staff costs. Supporters said a higher stipend could encourage younger, working candidates to run; critics said time demands, not pay, are the principal barrier.

Ordinance, motions and votes Ordinance No. 646, Series 2024 — An ordinance amending Chapter 32 of the City of Prospect code regarding compensation for council members, increasing monthly compensation from $250 to $500 effective Jan. 1, 2027. Motion to advance to second reading was made by Councilmember David Holmes and seconded by Councilmember John Clark. Roll-call votes recorded in the meeting: Sarah Hines — Yes; Don Gibson — No; John Evans (mayor) — Yes; David Holmes — Yes; John Clark — Yes; Frank Fulcher — No. Outcome: approved, 4-2.

Municipal Order No. 9, Series 2024 — Consent to the mayor's nomination of Todd Eberly to serve on the City of Prospect Ethics Commission. Moved by Councilmember Sarah Hines; seconded by Councilmember John Clark. Vote: approved, 6-0.

Municipal Order No. 10, Series 2024 — Consent to the mayor's nomination of David Jernigan to serve on the City of Prospect Ethics Commission. Moved by Councilmember Frank Fulcher; seconded by Mayor John Evans. Vote: approved, 6-0.

Municipal Order No. 11, Series 2024 — An order adding and updating the City of Prospect employee handbook (sections addressing general employment policy, financial practices, classification and compensation, benefits, and paid and unpaid leave). The council voted 6-0 to adopt the handbook. The council set an effective adoption date of Jan. 1, 2025 for the handbook generally but delayed the effective date for the revised paid sick-leave language to March 31, 2025, to allow more time for the council to refine limits and caps on accrual and payout.

City staff and discussion John Carter, city clerk, told the council the handbook compiles existing policies into a single, current document and said, "This is not the policy proposed by KLC back in 2020. This is a policy as it operates today." Carter and other council members said the change is intended to give staff a single definitive reference for current practices while the council continues to refine specific provisions such as sick leave.

Police, parks, finance and other reports Police Chief Tony Dunham reported the department hired Officer Barbara Shepherd, who previously served with Metro and St. Matthew; Dunham said, "She'll be a wonderful addition." He also described routine enforcement and a single vehicle break-in of an unlocked car at Harris Creek Park.

City financial figures for November were summarized by John Carter: roughly $4.2 million in investments and $250,000 in checking, for a total of about $4.4 million in city funds, with approximately $2.8 million unrestricted. Interest earned this fiscal year was about $77,000. The city reported collecting roughly 74% of budgeted income and expending about 47% of budgeted expenditures. The restricted road-aid fund held about $181,000. A capital project for the Harris Creek bridge closed under budget by about $2,400; the related capital fund balance is about $125,000.

Parks and environment: The Trail Bash run at Harris Creek Park drew about 70 participants and is expected to net more than $1,000 for parks programs, event organizers said. The Prospect Goshen Rotary Foundation awarded the city a $5,000 recycling grant; staff and Western Kentucky University collaborators are working to raise the city recycling rate from an estimated 45% to a 60% target by June 30, 2025. Forestation Board member Linda Knox reported 18 trees were planted in a recent program and said the board is preparing a spring planting campaign and a Tree City USA application.

Public comment and valedictory remarks Former council member Greg Huelsman spoke during public comment about compensation and urged careful consideration. Departing councilmembers Frank Fulcher and Sarah Hines were acknowledged; both offered brief remarks of thanks and were recognized by the mayor and fellow councilmembers before adjournment.

Next steps The council approved the handbook with the understanding that the sick-leave language is to be revised before March 31, 2025. The compensation ordinance sets an effective date of Jan. 1, 2027; council members and staff indicated further communication with the public and budget staff as implementation approaches.