Eminence Kentucky-Special Minutes

The City Council of the City of Eminence, Kentucky met in a special called session on Monday, June 17, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. with Mayor Tom Shroyer and the following members present: Kelly Mathis, Laura Whitney, Fred Downey, Doug Bates, Dwayne Roberts, and Leeroy Winburn. Absent were none. Also in attendance were City Clerk Sandra Doane, City Attorney William Brammell, Public Works Director William Smith, Police Chief Mount Hadden, Assistant City Clerk Robin Mullins, Major Rick Simmons, Community Center Director Mike Huff, and Utility Maintenance Person Tim Fitzgerald.

The purpose of the special meeting being called was to hold a bid opening on the property for sale at 22 South Penn Avenue, presentation of the Mayor's budget message, to hold the first reading of the budget ordinance and to hold a first reading of an amendment to the insurance premium tax ordinance.

Subject: Bids Opening 22 South Penn Avenue - Mayor Shroyer opened the bids for the sale of our property at 22 South Penn Avenue. The bids were as follows:

Discussion held concerning whether we could net much more after realtor fees if we placed the property on the market. Several major repairs needed to the property were also discussed. The appraisal on the property was $47,500.00. Motion made by Member Bates and seconded by Member Mathis to accept the bid of $41,002.00 from Bill & Gin Wells as it was felt that due to the condition of the property and needed repairs and with the realtor fees we would have to pay we would not be able to net much more. On a call of vote by Mayor Shroyer, voting "Yea" were Members, Roberts, Bates, Whitney and Mathis. Voting "Nay" were Members Fred Downey and Leeroy Winburn. Motion carried.

Subject: Budget - Mayor Shroyer explained to council the extremely difficult task the budget committee consisting of himself and Members Downey, Whitney and Roberts had in trying to balance this budget. Mayor Shroyer read his budget message to council, which proposes to increase the insurance premium tax to 10%, change the community center position to part time with no benefits, discontinue the contract with Ron Wright, reduce capital expenditures in the Fire Department by $17,900.00, delay hiring an additional officer for the Police Department, move Terry Carson's salary and benefits from the City General Fund into the Water Works, to change health insurance carriers from Aetna to Principal and give a 2.7% pay increase for all employees. Many other changes were also made to the budget. The health insurance proposal would also include the employees paying 10% more than they paid last year and changing from a POS plan to a PPO plan. The PPO plan has deductibles and co-pays not found in a POS plan.

Mayor Shroyer reported that he has learned today that we can anticipate approximately $10,000.00 in back taxes on the appeal by Steel Technologies on their assessment. This will also increase the assessment for the new year.

Attorney Brammell stated he was not sure we had enough time to meet the requirements of increasing the insurance premium tax. Upon checking the statute, we cannot increase the insurance premium tax at this time. Council discussed a mandatory garbage franchise instead of the insurance premium tax. This would generate an estimated $37,500.00 annual income and would probably lower the rates for people currently having the garbage picked up. Other discussion held including annexation of all people who have city services.

Council in agreement to revise the budget proposal to include $31,250.00 for garbage collection, to change the property tax income to $213,220.00, which includes the increase for the back taxes and current year assessment change for Steel Technologies, and to lower the insurance premium tax back down to the estimated 8% collection amount of $204,375.00.

Attorney Brammell held the first reading of the budget ordinance for fiscal year 7-1-02/6-30-03.

Mayor Shroyer explained the proposed health insurance program. A change in policy and procedure will require all employees whose spouses have health insurance available to them where they work to get coverage through their employer at the next enrollment date as the City will no longer provide health coverage for these spouses effective July 1, 2003. An employee's spouse who does not have insurance available will still be eligible for coverage under the City's plan.

With no further business to be discussed, motion made by Member Downey and seconded by Member Bates to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

Hosted by

This site owned by The City of Eminence Kentucky.
Custom Graphics and Design © Copyright 2001-2012 Joyce K. Meyer. All Rights Reserved
(Except where otherwise noted.)
This site was created by My Cottage Web Studio 04/15/01and revised on 05/10/12.