By Sarah Ladd
University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media
The Midway City Council met Monday to discuss the budget that starts in July, approve the city’s borrowing limit and honor a local Eagle Scout.
The council held the first reading of the budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 following two workshops at which the council worked on it. The budget outlines the city’s planned revenue as well as spending for next year.
It reflects significantly lower property tax revenue for the next fiscal year, $82,000, compared to $110,000 in the current year. Vandegrift said in January he wanted to reduce property taxes 25 percent since the city is getting so much more money from occupational taxes as a result of increased employment. Tax rates will be set later this year.
Vandegrift said second reading of the budget ordinance would be held June 4. Later in the meeting, Council Member Bruce Southworth said he thought there was going to be another workshop before action on the budget. Vandegrift said he would call a council meeting for another workshop, perhaps at a special meeting he plans to have about blighted property on May 30, and would not reschedule the second reading.
Southworth said after the meeting that he wanted the council to discuss the $17,000 proposed for various improvements at Walter Bradley Park. City Attorney Phil Moloney said the budget could be changed on second reading as long as the changes were not "substantial."
Mayor changes his mind
University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media
The Midway City Council met Monday to discuss the budget that starts in July, approve the city’s borrowing limit and honor a local Eagle Scout.
The council held the first reading of the budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 following two workshops at which the council worked on it. The budget outlines the city’s planned revenue as well as spending for next year.
It reflects significantly lower property tax revenue for the next fiscal year, $82,000, compared to $110,000 in the current year. Vandegrift said in January he wanted to reduce property taxes 25 percent since the city is getting so much more money from occupational taxes as a result of increased employment. Tax rates will be set later this year.
Vandegrift said second reading of the budget ordinance would be held June 4. Later in the meeting, Council Member Bruce Southworth said he thought there was going to be another workshop before action on the budget. Vandegrift said he would call a council meeting for another workshop, perhaps at a special meeting he plans to have about blighted property on May 30, and would not reschedule the second reading.
Southworth said after the meeting that he wanted the council to discuss the $17,000 proposed for various improvements at Walter Bradley Park. City Attorney Phil Moloney said the budget could be changed on second reading as long as the changes were not "substantial."
Mayor changes his mind
Tuesday morning, Vandegrift told the Messenger in an email that he was leaning against calling another budget workshop. He reiterated that he had asked the council May 9 that if anyone wanted another workshop, adding that he “told them if I didn’t hear from anyone within a few days we would move forward with putting the budget into ordinance form.” He said now that the work has been put in to make the budget an ordinance, he does not see the need for another workshop, “especially when the question at hand is not, as one council member put it after the meeting, about money.”
Asked about that via email, Vandegrift wrote, “Bruce told me that his issue 'is not about the money,' which among other things, led me to believe the real issue is with personnel. I stand firmly with the entire Parks Board and the work they are doing, and believe personnel issues are separate discussions from budget ones.”
Vandegrift wrote earlier, “I am extremely proud of this budget in its current form, including the Parks portion, and will leave it up to each individual member to decide whether or not to vote for or against the only budget in Kentucky that cuts property taxes 25% and increases investments.”
At the end of the meeting, Council Member Sara Hicks brought to the council’s attention that an anonymous donor purchased a willow archway at Francisco’s Farm Art Fair over the weekend and donated it to the park. It now graces the entryway to the Osage Trail behind the dog park. The asking price of the archway was $1,500, other members said. The arch was created on a steel frame by Justin Roberts of Murray, an apprentice in the Kentucky Arts Council program.
The council approved a resolution for the authorization of short-term borrowing for the 2018-19 fiscal year. It allows the city to borrow up to $99,000 “to pay amounts that have become due in the normal course of business,” though Vandegrift said it is unlikely the city will need to borrow money while awaiting tax receipts. Should the city need to, the interest would be consistent with Woodford County banks’ rates for commercial loans.
Eagle Scout honored
Asked about that via email, Vandegrift wrote, “Bruce told me that his issue 'is not about the money,' which among other things, led me to believe the real issue is with personnel. I stand firmly with the entire Parks Board and the work they are doing, and believe personnel issues are separate discussions from budget ones.”
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| An anonymous donor bought this willow arch at the Francisco's Farm Art Fair and donated it to the park. (Photo by Sarah Ladd) |
At the end of the meeting, Council Member Sara Hicks brought to the council’s attention that an anonymous donor purchased a willow archway at Francisco’s Farm Art Fair over the weekend and donated it to the park. It now graces the entryway to the Osage Trail behind the dog park. The asking price of the archway was $1,500, other members said. The arch was created on a steel frame by Justin Roberts of Murray, an apprentice in the Kentucky Arts Council program.
The council approved a resolution for the authorization of short-term borrowing for the 2018-19 fiscal year. It allows the city to borrow up to $99,000 “to pay amounts that have become due in the normal course of business,” though Vandegrift said it is unlikely the city will need to borrow money while awaiting tax receipts. Should the city need to, the interest would be consistent with Woodford County banks’ rates for commercial loans.
Eagle Scout honored
New Eagle Scout Eric Witt of Midway was honored at the council meeting for his service to Midway. Vandegrift announced that May 31 will be Eric Gerard Witt Jr. Day in honor of the scout’s courage and service despite physical pain due to his rheumatoid arthritis. Witt has been a scout since first grade and has mentored younger scouts.
Witt’s service includes a structure he designed as a multi-purpose pavilion behind the Midway Branch of the Woodford County Public Library and Northside Elementary School.
Eagle is the highest rank a Boy Scout can receive. Vandegrift read from his proclamation, which said in part, “Eric Gerard Witt Jr. exemplifies what it means to serve one’s community and the city of Midway is proud to call him on of their own.” Witt is a senior at Lexington Catholic High School.
In other business, The council voted to table an ordinance on inhumane treatment of animals, which would be identical to the county ordinance. “There might be more overlap here than we realize,” Vandegrift said. “Our ordinances are actually more specific than this ordinance.”
Vandegrift said he would not have a special speaker forSaturMonday’s Memorial Day service at the cemetery, but would talk about the Iraq War experiences of an unnamed local veteran who served in difficult circumstances but doesn’t want to speak about it. “I really think his story is important and powerful,” Vandegrift said, “and he’s one of our own.”
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| Left to right: Mayor Vandegrift with Kim Witt, Eric Witt Jr. and Eric Sr. |
Eagle is the highest rank a Boy Scout can receive. Vandegrift read from his proclamation, which said in part, “Eric Gerard Witt Jr. exemplifies what it means to serve one’s community and the city of Midway is proud to call him on of their own.” Witt is a senior at Lexington Catholic High School.
In other business, The council voted to table an ordinance on inhumane treatment of animals, which would be identical to the county ordinance. “There might be more overlap here than we realize,” Vandegrift said. “Our ordinances are actually more specific than this ordinance.”
Vandegrift said he would not have a special speaker for
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