Bardstown council awards cemetery mowing contract, adopts fund-balance policy and approves appointments

The City of Bardstown City Council voted on a series of routine but consequential administrative items during its March 25 regular meeting, approving a cemetery mowing contract, adopting a fund-balance policy and confirming several board appointments while hearing updates on public safety staffing and the city budget.

Mayor J. Richard Heaton called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and confirmed a quorum with Councilmen Joe Buckman, David Dones, Betty Hart and Roland E. Williams present. Early in the meeting Nelson County Cemetery Committee member Rhonda Wathen described the committee's formation and mission related to cemetery care in the area.

The council voted 4-0 to award a two-year contract for mowing Bardstown's three city cemeteries to King's Mowing Services, LLC for $1,700 per week after a motion by Councilman Joe Buckman and a second from Councilman Roland E. Williams.

City Administrator Aaron Boles presented three recommendations from the Bardstown Historical Review Board. The council approved the HRB recommendations for COA-23-33 (Rachel Miller) to add an internally lit hanging sign at 104 N. 4th Street; COA-25-02 (Bardstown United Methodist Church) to install three dark-maroon Sunbrella awnings at 116 E. Flaget Ave. (conditioned on installation within mortar joints); and COA-25-04 (Bailey Mashburn) to replace a front door and modify side windows at 227 N. 3rd Street. Councilwoman Betty Hart moved to accept the HRB recommendations with the stated conditions; Councilman Joe Buckman seconded and the motion carried 4-0. Councilman Buckman recused himself from COA 25-03 before it was presented, creating a lack of quorum for that specific item; the council said COA 25-03 will be presented at the next meeting.

Councilman David Dones moved to approve a road closure for the Nelson County Community Clinic's "Run for the Health of It" 5K scheduled for Saturday, April 19, 2025; the motion passed 4-0. The council also approved the minutes of the Feb. 25, 2025 meeting by unanimous consent.

On fiscal policy, Councilman Roland E. Williams moved to approve Municipal Order M2025-01, establishing a fund-balance policy to maintain a minimum unassigned fund balance; Councilwoman Hart seconded and the motion carried 4-0. Mayor Heaton later reviewed the FY2026 budget timeline and stated that the General Fund's totals will increase significantly with the planned addition of an aquatic sports facility; the mayor reviewed the construction timeline but did not provide a specific dollar amount.

Councilman Buckman moved to confirm three board appointments: Sidney Shouse to the Human Rights Commission (term through March 1, 2028), and David Mattingly and Jere Roche to the Air Board (terms through March 25, 2029). The motion, seconded by Councilman David Dones, passed 4-0. The council approved cemetery deeds for Clifton Tatum, Billy Joe Curtsinger and Steven Stump by unanimous consent.

Assistant Fire Chief Kevin Grayson reported on two recent fires responded to by the department, and Police Chief Kim Kraeszig reported that two recruits are in training and a third is scheduled to begin on March 31, 2025. Councilwoman Hart commented on the success of the NelCARE treatment program.

The meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m. after a motion by Councilman Buckman and a second from Councilman Williams. Several items were introductory in nature (first readings of Ordinance B2025-05 and Ordinance B2025-06, the latter proposing zoning rules for cannabis dispensaries) and will return for further consideration at a future meeting.