Bowling Green commission approves personnel moves, public-safety purchases and FAA airport grants

The Bowling Green Board of Commissioners, presided over by Mayor Alcott, approved a package of personnel appointments, equipment purchases and grant acceptances at its July 1, 2025 regular meeting at City Hall.

The commission confirmed several staff appointments: Zane Martin was promoted to Staff Accountant II in the finance department; James (Jim) Morrow was appointed quartermaster for the fire department; Jack (Jackie/Jack) Ezell was appointed Creative Media Specialist in the city manager’s office; Richard Cardwell was appointed Parks Facility Maintainer I; and Bonnie Williams and David Lee were approved to serve on the Housing Authority and Historic Preservation Board, respectively. Katie Scheller Ward, assistant city manager/CFO, said of Zane Martin that he “recently achieved his certified public finance officer designation” and noted his work with the city since May 2020.

Commissioners approved several public-safety procurements. The board authorized up to $63,000 for 15 sets of turnout gear for the fire department via a Kentucky state-pricing cooperative contract; staff said existing gear would not meet NFPA standards. The commission also approved a sole-source purchase of a multi‑screen police training simulator from TI Training LE LLC for $163,950; staff said the system’s scenarios align with Kentucky League of Cities (KLC) recommendations and provide branching scenarios for de‑escalation and other training. Mayor Alcott and staff described the new joint police/firer training facility (Station 8 at Porter Pike) as a key site for the new simulator.

The commission authorized a purchase of mobile data computers (MDCs) — approximately 150 devices for patrol cars, motorcycles and fire apparatus — not to exceed $706,959.04 from Law and Order Technology LLC. IT director Danita Weeks told commissioners the devices were tested by officers and noted model variations to suit patrol, motorcycle and truck needs.

Airport-related grant agreements drawn from Federal Aviation Administration programs were approved. The commission accepted FAA grants enabling purchase of an aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) vehicle and related equipment, and approved a $325,000 FAA grant for taxiway C design work serving corporate hangars. Staff said the city’s required match rate for those grants is 1.25% (roughly $13,002.33 for the truck and around $4,000 for the taxiway design grant); Susan Harmon, the airport manager, answered commissioners’ questions about project scope.

The board approved an amendment to the city’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) to update project schedules and funding sources and adopted Amendment No. 4 to the City’s FY2025 operating budget. Commissioners also adopted three annexation ordinances (BG2025‑9 and BG2025‑10) to add right‑of‑way and a small parcel to city limits, an ordinance renaming White Court to Abraham Avenue (BG2025‑12), and a code amendment to remove the workforce recruitment outreach committee from Chapter 17 of the City code (BG2025‑13).

The commission publicly recognized Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1298 for being named an all‑state post; Mayor Alcott noted the post’s reported achievements, including more than 102% membership, over $14,000 in charitable donations and more than 750 volunteer hours. The finance department was recognized for earning a Government Finance Officers Association award for its annual comprehensive financial report.

Votes at a glance (selected items approved on roll call): - Municipal Order 2025‑154 — promotion of Zane Martin to Staff Accountant II — approved (moved by Commissioner Hill; seconded by Commissioner Bailey). - Municipal Order 2025‑155 — probationary appointment of James Morrow, quartermaster, Fire Department — approved. - Municipal Order 2025‑156 — appointment of Jack Ezell, Creative Media Specialist — approved. - Municipal Order 2025‑157 — appointment of Richard Cardwell, Parks Facility Maintainer I — approved. - Municipal Order 2025‑158 — renewal for fire department uniforms with Galls and Nat’s Outdoor Sports — approved. - Municipal Order 2025‑159 — turnout gear purchase (911 Fleet and Fire Equipment), not to exceed $63,000 — approved. - Municipal Order 2025‑160 — convention center floor resurfacing (Stuart Richey Construction Inc.), not to exceed $85,800 — approved. - Municipal Order 2025‑161 — Clear Lane deicer continuation with Cargill Inc. — approved. - Municipal Order 2025‑162 — mobile data computers (Law and Order Technology LLC), not to exceed $706,959.04 — approved. - Municipal Order 2025‑163 — TI Training LE LLC police simulator, $163,950 (sole source) — approved. - Municipal Orders 2025‑164 and 2025‑165 — FAA airport grants for an ARFF vehicle and taxiway C design (city match ~1.25%) — approved. - Municipal Order 2025‑166 — JDIP agreement with Valor Flex Packaging LLC (reported: 76 jobs credited over 10 years; capital investment ~ $23.4M) — approved. - Municipal Order 2025‑167 — amendment to Capital Improvement Program — approved. - Municipal Orders 2025‑168 and 2025‑169 — appointments to Housing Authority and Historic Preservation Board — approved. - Municipal Order 2025‑170 — acceptance of $360,000 private donation toward land purchase for Fire Station 9 — approved. - Ordinances BG2025‑9, BG2025‑10, BG2025‑11, BG2025‑12 and BG2025‑13 — second readings/adoptions covering annexations, budget amendment, street renaming and code amendment — all adopted on second reading.

What’s next: The commission set its next regular meeting for July 15, 2025. No items were tabled; most actions were routine approvals or staff‑recommended purchases and appointments.

Quotes “They have also raised over $14,000 in charitable donations and donated over 750 hours of volunteer service,” Mayor Alcott said in recognition of VFW Post 1298’s statewide honor. “Katie Scheller Ward said of Zane Martin that he recently achieved his certified public finance officer designation,” staff remarked during the promotion presentation.

(Reporters: the article is based solely on remarks and motions recorded on the July 1, 2025 meeting transcript.)