Owensboro commission approves budget amendment, adopts temporary moratorium; several first readings heard

The Owensboro City Commission on second reading approved a budget amendment to appropriate funds for the purchase of the Massey property from the city’s economic development fund and to record a $500,000 donation from the River City Pickleball Club to offset upcoming construction expenses at Bent Halls.

City Manager (first appearing SEG 346) told commissioners the purchase is funded from the economic development fund and "because it is a purchase from the economic development fund, it has no impact on the general fund." He said the city’s agreement with River City Pickleball "requires them to provide $500,000 toward the project," money the city must add to the budget now because construction and related expenses are approaching.

Also on second reading the commission voted to adopt Ordinance 13-20-25, imposing a temporary moratorium on certain categories of group housing and facilities in Owensboro. The measure was read and approved by roll call after commissioners were briefed by staff and the city attorney at a prior meeting.

In addition to those adopted items, the commission approved routine business including the minutes of Aug. 19, 2025, and two board appointments: Bridal Kegel to a four-year term on the Owensboro River Port Authority (effective Sept. 10, 2025) and John Marshall Moore to a three-year term on the Owensboro Health board (effective Nov. 1, 2025). The meeting also confirmed several personnel appointments and promotions as presented by the city manager.

Several other proposals completed first readings and remain pending further action: a zoning text amendment to allow contractor shops by conditional use permit in certain B-3 and B-4 zones, a draft ordinance to permit up to six backyard hens in single-family yards with standards and a $25 permit, proposed ad valorem tax rates for fiscal year 2025–26 (the city manager described a reduction in the real property rate to 25.6¢ per $100 assessed value), and updates to the property maintenance code including mowing requirements for undeveloped parcels and new rules for incomplete construction projects.

Votes at a glance - Ordinance 12-20-25 (budget amendment — Massey property purchase; record $500,000 River City Pickleball revenue): Approved by roll call (all voting in favor as read on second reading). (Topic intro SEG 336; topic finish SEG 383) - Ordinance 13-20-25 (temporary moratorium on certain group housing): Approved by roll call on second reading. (Topic intro SEG 383; topic finish SEG 413) - Approval of minutes dated 08/19/2025: Motion carried by voice vote. (SEG 307–318) - Appointments: Bridal Kegel, Owensboro River Port Authority (4-year term); John Marshall Moore, Owensboro Health Board (3-year term). (SEG 319–332) - Personnel appointments and regular-status confirmations: Approved by voice vote. (SEG 751–784)

What’s next Items on first reading — including the zoning text amendments, backyard chickens ordinance, tax rates and property maintenance code changes — will return to the commission for further consideration and a future vote per the city’s ordinance schedule.

No deadlines were set on the record for the first-reading items during the meeting.