Hopkinsville council approves budget amendment, alley closings and ordinance updates on April 7

Hopkinsville City Council approved multiple ordinance actions during its April 7 meeting, including final passage of an alley-closing ordinance and a second-reading amendment to the fiscal year 2025–26 budget. Council also approved first readings of ordinances updating the city’s citizen participation rules and revising the occupational license tax section.

On second reading the council passed Ordinance 06-2026 to permanently close seven unnamed alleys between West Second and West Seventh Street, totaling roughly 14,529 square feet; the ordinance references KRS 82.405 and notes abutting property owners provided written, notarized consent. The roll-call recorded affirmative votes from the members present and the ordinance passed on second reading.

Council also passed Ordinance 07-2026 on second reading to amend the FY2025-26 operational budget. The summary included revenues and resources with total revenues and expenses of $59,438,584 and broke out general fund and municipal road aid fund figures.

On first reading council approved Ordinance 08-2026 to amend Section 31.04 (citizen participation) to require public commenters to use the podium, state their name for the minutes, limit comments to one appearance per meeting and cap remarks at five minutes; it grants the presiding officer authority to remove disruptive speakers. Ordinance 09-2026 (chapter 110.04 occupational license tax) also passed first reading; it amends occupational license payment rules, sets rate language (1.95% on wages; 1.3% on net profits) and describes conditions and a $25 minimum fee for small receipts.

Each ordinance’s full text is available in the City Clerk’s office and on the city website as described during the meeting. Council recorded vocal roll-call results for the second readings and first-reading approvals and all items advanced as presented; specific legal references (KRS 82.405) were cited for the alley closings ordinance.