Hopkinsville Mayor Wendell Lynch announced Tuesday night he is making some staff changes and implementing a hiring freeze in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the mayor’s comment portion of the virtual Hopkinsville City Council meeting, Mayor Lynch said they are not intending to layoff anyone or reduce the workforce but he is freezing 29 unfilled positions which will save the City over $300,000.
In addition, Mayor Lynch said they have implemented furloughing some vacant part-time positions.
He said these actions are is in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in order to be good managers of the City’s resources.
Mayor Lynch also said they are discussing plans to reopen which will be in accordance with the Governor’s Office. In preparation for reopening at the Municipal Center, he added they have installed plexiglass and sanitizing stations and they have face masks and personal protective equipment on hand.
Council members unanimously approved first reading establishing a zoning code for cellular antenna towers and small cell towers and a fee structure. Council also unanimously approved municipal orders for the Community Development Block Grant budget for a total of $270,365, and an expenditure of $110,000 from the Capital Equipment Replacement Reserve Fund to purchase equipment for the Public Works Department.
In other action, the first reading of repealing the Beautification Commission was approved by a vote of 10-1. The action comes after it was forwarded to City Council by the Committee of the Whole to phase out the Beautification Commission. Councilwoman Amy Craig stressed at the Committee of the Whole meeting on April 24 that the work to beautify the city will continue.
Councilman Darvin Adams cast the lone nay vote.
The Committee of the Whole will hold a virtual meeting Thursday night at 6:00, the first meeting to discuss the $38.5 million dollar budget for Fiscal Year 2020-2021 that was presented by Mayor Lynch last Friday.
