REPORT ON MIDWY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JULY 3

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By Scott White 
Woodford Sun Staff

Midway City Council met Monday night and moved forward in getting the city’s code enforcement board up and running. Councilmember Sara Hicks was absent. The council unanimously approved the board appointments of Steele Rouse, Jim Starks, Chris Pratt, and Amber Rogers, who will be sworn in at the next meeting. Mayor Stacy Thurman noted this was an important step to be able to respond to the backlog of citizen complaints about a few buildings that have potential code violations. 
Thurman also noted that she had spoken with Versailles-Midway-Woodford County Planning Director Steve Hunter who confirmed that enforcement officers at the Planning Commission would be able to inspect and cite, if needed, buildings in Midway. Councilmember Logan Nance raised the question of designating a firefighter who could also work code enforcement. Councilmember Patrick Hall reported he had attended a code enforcement training in the last week put on by the Kentucky League of Cities. He learned that some smaller and mid-size communities use firefighters but was warned that it is too much work to ask of a volunteer firefighter. Midway has a volunteer fire and rescue department. Thurman indicated the council should continue to discuss whether there is a need to supplement the Planning Commission.
Thurman reported that the contract with the City of Versailles for police services had expired and she was in discussions with Versailles Mayor Brian Traugott on a new agreement. Traugott requested that Midway increase its annual payment from its 4.25 percent of the county population to 6.5 percent as reflected in the last census. This is an approximate increase of $50,000 a year over the 2023 budget payment of $248,859. Thurman expressed concern about a 2 percent-plus increase in year one which led to a tentative agreement with Traugott of keeping the rate at 4.25 percent for the first year of the new contract, increasing to 5.5 percent in year two, and then 6.5 percent for the remaining eight years of the proposed 10-year deal.
Given the increased share, Nance asked about amplifying Midway’s voice in certain police matters such as hiring. Deputy Police Chief Rob Young was asked about the hiring process at the department and how benefits were paid. Young noted that the chief of police handles recruitment and candidate vetting and then submits a preferred candidate to the Versailles mayor for hiring. He said that all officers are employees of Versailles which pays health insurance, holiday and vacation pay, and human resource services separately from the county and Midway.
Thurman indicated that Young and Chief Mike Murray always consulted with her on any issue impacting Midway. She said she would discuss with Traugott if Midway could be involved in the hiring process while guarding against converting police employees to Midway employees or co-employees which would potentially affect the budget. Thurman advised that the new agreement will be ready to be voted on at the next meeting.
Thurman reported that Sparks in the Park was a success with an estimated attendance of 150 folks. She also reminded everyone that the ribbon-cutting on the new playground at the Walter Bradley Park would be Friday, July 7 at 2 p.m.
Councilmember Mary Raglin invited the community to the next African American Heritage Council’s event series, a book launch with special guests, being held on Saturday, July 7, from 12 to 2 p.m. at the City Museum.