Citing core pillars of public safety, economic growth, city cleanliness and staff retention, Hopkinsville Mayor JR Knight revealed his 2024-25 city budget proposal Friday morning — one valued at $51.1 million.
Knight noted this is a 7.9% increase from FY 2023-24 appropriations, while FY 2023-24 brought about a near 10% increase on allocations from FY 2022-23.
Among the highlights, he said:
+ No tax increases
+ Payroll tax revenue budgeted at 2%
+ Insurance premium tax budgeted at 2%
+ Property taxes budgeted at FY 2023-24 actuals
+ An increase in the water park maintenance budget
+ A pension cost decrease for hazardous and non-hazardous employees
+ And a student co-op/internship opportunity for all city departments
Knight called public safety “his top priority,” and as such unveiled this budget comes with:
+ Four more school resource officers
+ A new police patrol officer, filling the vacancy created after moving a unit to Hopkinsville City Hall
+ The full staffing of Hopkinsville Police Department for the first time in 13 years
+ The addition of another ECC communication technician
+ And the funding for a full-time Hopkinsville Fire Department chaplain
For economic growth, Knight said the creation of the Small Business Commission, along with concerted focus on industrial development through incentives, roadways and rail spurs in Commerce Park II, could make a difference.
With city cleanliness, Knight said the addition of two street maintenance worker II’s, two groundskeeper I’s and facility maintenance technician would do more than offer a face-lift to the downtown area.
Targeting retention, happiness and well-being, city staff can expect a 6.5% salary increase at the start of the new fiscal year — should it pass the ranks of city council.
Knight said he expects more than 75% of next year’s revenue to come from payroll, insurance premiums, property taxes, ambulance and ECC board reimbursements, with the remaining 25% coming from business licenses, school resource officers, investment interests and other sources.
