Following weeks of internal and external debate, and alongside considerable public outcry, Christian County magistrates Tuesday morning voted 6-2 in favor of passing the 2023-24 fiscal year budget.
Magistrates Rich Leibe and Maggie Ferguson, both Democrats, were the lone nays in the decision.
It’s a $43 million ledger that trimmed, among many things, the Hopkinsville-Christian County Public Library annual allotment by roughly $90,000, and completely removed the Human Rights Commission and its $20,000-plus altogether.
And it’s these cuts that have caused the most vocal uproar.
Although intending to leave her post by the end of this summer, HRC Director Idalia Luna moved forward with a resignation late Monday night. She had coarse words for the court.
Gwenda Motley, sister to famed author bell hooks and a local activist, said she had no intent to offend — but simply wanted to relay community concerns about these reductions, concerns especially stemming from Christian County’s African American population.
She noted the cuts “hurt,” and make individuals ask: “Why is this being done?”
Teresa Carter Williams, former Hopkinsville City Council member, noted that while both the HRC and the Library do find funding through things like grants and private dollars, budget reductions like these don’t instill a lot of confidence in public support.
Furthermore, she noted citizens would be more willing to charitably donate rather than pay any tax. And she noted she was speaking on behalf of her family, which has recently provided funds to HCCPL.
Caleb Ballard, a fairly recent addition to the HRC, brought about what he considers to be internal issues of the organization — involving a perceived lack of transparency, honesty and some alleged blaming of the fiscal court.
Most his concerns, either indirectly or directly, referenced Luna and Christian County Public Schools Board Chair Tom Bell — who spoke in favor of HRC at the last fiscal court meeting.
HRC Assistant Director Raychel Farmer said the group is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year by inviting members of the McHenry family back to Christian County for an honored salute to the founder, and that the organization remains committed to providing assistance to underserved minorities and those in need.
Another HRC commissioner, Molly Lewis, said “not to believe the hype.”
Magistrate Phillip Peterson said there were four distinct questions asked when considering this year’s budget: was the expense a county responsibility, did the expense assist a small group or the county as a whole, and what was the strategic plan behind a specific line item?
He also added that the budget committee had no plans of “squirreling” these monies away for reserves or carry over, but instead shifted them into public safety and infrastructure needs — like asphalt costs, insurance costs, another school resource officer, and more.
In other fiscal court news:
— Magistrates also accepted a bid for three outdoor weather sirens, two planned for Oak Grove on either side of Walter Garrett Lane, and another in Pembroke. Another is scheduled for bidding in downtown Hopkinsville. Emergency Management Director Randy Graham noted the FEMA grant buying the sirens is 75% reimbursable, with 12% coming from state funding, and the final 13% at the cost of the cities.
— Walter Cummings, meanwhile, was reappointed county treasurer by resounding unanimous vote.
Caleb Ballard:
Phillip Peterson:
Idalia Luna:
Gwenda Motley:
Teresa Carter Williams:
Molly Lewis:
Raychel Farmer:
