Hopkinsville City Council approved the $43.1 million budget for the next fiscal year on the first reading at Tuesday night’s meeting but not without several questions being asked and a discussion about allocations to agencies.
Councilman Steve Keel said he likes this budget including the five-percent cost of living adjustment (COLA) and what they are doing with the departments, but his issue is increasing the allocations for agency expenses.
After a lengthy discussion, Mayor Wendell Lynch ensured Keel that everything he wants is a part of this budget.
click to download audioIn other action, the council approved the $1.8 million capital budget on the first reading.
During awards and recognitions, Alonso Sanders, Andrew Patino, and Larry Johnston were officially sworn in by Mayor Lynch as the newest officers joining the Hopkinsville Police Department.
In addition, the mayor introduced Tom Britton who was recently hired as the new Community Development Services (CDS) director. Mayor Lynch said Britton actually began his career with CDS in 1995 as a printer and served there in other capacities before he moved to South Carolina and then returned to Hopkinsville and the CDS about three years ago.
click to download audioBritton said he is happy to be back in Hopkinsville after a dozen years and grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve the CDS in another capacity.
