City of Hickman holds second reading of FY 2025–26 budget; staff warn of revenue shortfalls and missing ABC checks

The Board of Commissioners of the City of Hickman conducted the second reading of Ordinance 25‑150, which establishes the annual operating budget for fiscal year 2025–26 for the general fund, gas, water, wastewater, cemetery and Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) funds.

An unidentified city official described this budget as "probably the hardest one to write so far," saying projected revenues were down and that staff had found unaccounted checks affecting ABC fund balances. The official said the discrepancy directly affects the police budget and other general fund projections and that staff were reconciling records to correct the schedules.

The ordinance as read authorizes the city manager to administer collections and expenditures, to cause audits as required by law and to change line items within a department budget to meet unexpected needs as provided in the ordinance language. The official reminded the board that the budget can be amended later if necessary.

Board members noted the requirement to file materials with the Kentucky Department of Local Government "by the thirtieth," and said that scheduling special meetings was necessary to meet that deadline. After discussion, a motion was made by Commissioner Gannon, seconded by Commissioner Holloway, to move into an executive session citing Kentucky statute 61.18(1)(f). A roll‑call vote followed and commissioners on the record voted in favor; the motion carried.

The board did not complete final adoption on the public record during the excerpts provided; staff indicated they would continue reconciling ABC funds and other revenue items and that the schedules attached to the ordinance would be updated as part of the appropriate legal process.