HENDERSON, Ky. - The City of Henderson Board of Commissioners amended its 2021 budget ordinance on first reading at a meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 10, and also passed first reading of an ordinance that will annex a tract of land for a proposed sports complex into the city.
The proposed tract of land for a proposed sports complex is located at the edge of the city along Airline Road and the Audubon Parkway on what is now farmland.
The Board of Commissioners was meeting on its regular day but at a special time and via Zoom.
Because of concerns about pension obligations and other shortfalls, the proposed 2021 budget did not include COLA for employees nor did it include capital improvement expenditures in the General Fund. But there were "diligent efforts to curtail spending in the last months of Fiscal Year 2020 as well as thus far this fiscal year. With a better than expected General Fund balance, it is a financially sound time to fund some of those requests (that were originally cut from the budget)," said Finance Director Robert Gunter.
Other first readings were approved for amending the Henderson Water Utility 2021 budget and awarding a 1 percent cost of living adjustment for city employees effective Nov. 30.
In other business, the commission:
--Finalized an ordinance authorizing the issuance of general obligation bonds to be used to help finance municipal water, sanitary sewer and storm sewer improvements and additions; a new municipal fire station; a storm water system for Countryview Subdivision and a new sports complex.
--Finalized an ordinance setting a schedule of solar energy rates and services furnished by Henderson Municipal Power & Light for potential use by the Henderson Housing Authority as well as church and public school customers.
--Passed first reading of an ordinance making a change in the Code of Ordinances adding a non-exclusive electric franchise that allows Kentucky Utilities to do upgrades in an area of the city it serves.
--Heard an update about the status of the demolished building on the corner of First and Elm street that partially collapsed in late August. Property owners have asked the state of Kentucky to allow an asbestos specialist to reassess whether the debris needs to be placed in a special landfill as the state has directed.
--Authorized the transfer of the property located at 109 Thompson St. to Habitat for Humanity of Henderson for redevelopment.
--Heard a proposal from the Henderson County Schools cross country teams about the proposed use of the former Municipal Golf Course in Atkinson Park for a "home-court" cross country course that could also be used by the public for 5K and other races.
--Heard a report on a proposal under discussion for the annexation of Bent Creek Subdivision and Bent Creek Estates Subdivision.
The next meeting is a special-called meeting and work session set for Tuesday, Nov. 17.
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