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Nicholasville commission approves budget amendment readings, sewer contract, pay-scale updates and routine finance items
Summary
Commissioners advanced budget and tax-rate ordinances, ratified a solid-waste franchise amendment following CKY's sale to Republic, awarded a $566,370 Brookview sewer contract funded by a Cleaner Water grant, approved personnel pay-scale updates and police promotions, and authorized accounts payable of $6,248,306.82.
The City Commission handled a slate of routine and substantive items at its Aug. 12, 2024 meeting, approving budget and personnel measures, ratifying a franchise amendment and moving forward with a sewer construction contract funded by a state grant.
On second reading the commission approved Ordinance 161-2024, an annual budget amendment for fiscal year 2024'025. The commission also heard first readings of tax-rate ordinances, including Ordinance 162-2024 (property tax rates) and Ordinance 163-2024 (motor vehicle and watercraft tax rates).
Finance staff presented Ordinance 167-2024, which would amend Chapter 21 of the city code to update delinquent tax billing dates and penalties (including a 10% penalty on 12/01/2024, 12% per annum interest beginning 02/01/2025, and an additional late penalty after 04/01/2025). Staff requested the mailing date for tax bills be no later than Oct. 31 of each year. The first reading was held and moved forward by roll call.
The commission ratified the mayor's signature on the fourth amendment to the exclusive residential solid-waste and recycling franchise after CKY was purchased by Republic; staff said rates and service remain the same and fiscal court had already approved the change.
Bob, who presented the Brookview sanitary sewer improvement project, said the project will enlarge the Brookview sewer line and take flow from the north end; the low bid was $566,370 from CTW Contracting and staff issued a notice of award. "We issued a notice of award for them. They're getting their bonds in order, and then we'll be ready to sign the contract," Bob said. Funding for the project will come from a Cleaner Water grant; commissioners authorized the mayor to sign the construction contract and related documents.
Personnel and compensation items: Staff presented Ordinance 168-2024, updating the personnel policies and adopting a revised grade and pay scale to address compression and to remain competitive. Ms. Reininger said the grade-scale update follows a prior consultant recommendation (adjust by half of the local cost-of-living increase). The commission approved implementing rate adjustments effective Aug. 13, 2024, to correct anomalies and compression stemming from the new scale. The commission also approved a rate increase for Kevin Soriano to $25.32 per hour following KLEC certification and promotions for Alex Fogle (Lieutenant) and Zachary Lawson (Sergeant) with specified hourly rates.
The commission approved several refunds of tax overpayments (net profit and payroll tax withholdings exceeding $1,500) and approved accounts payable totaling $6,248,306.82 covering June 29 through Aug. 5.
Meeting housekeeping: there were no public commenters. Commissioners shared updates on upcoming conferences and local events, and one commissioner noted a pending Kentucky Court of Appeals case that could affect municipal authority to impose criminal penalties in local ordinances.
What happens next: staff will proceed with contract execution for Brookview when bonds are secured, and personnel/pay adjustments take effect on Aug. 13, 2024. Tax and budget ordinances will return for further readings as required.
