Council delays occupational tax moves until need assessments available

By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio

Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2015, 11:55 p.m. — The Bardstown City Council will soon receive updates from the city’s engineering staff on the amount of funding the city’s general fund needs to “catch up” with street paving and sidewalk repairs.

Councilman Fred Hagan looks over a handout during Tuesday’s working session of the Bardstown City Council.

Councilman Fred Hagan told the council the finance committee had discussed the occupational tax issue, and after the need for more street and sidewalk money was mentioned, requested detailed information on the estimated costs for the repairs.

Councilman Francis Lydian noted the 2015-16 budget already has more than $440,000 for street repairs and $20,000 for sidewalk repairs.

“How much money do we need for sidewalks and streets?” he asked.

Royalty said $20,000 would only scratch the surface to make sidewalk repairs.

Mayor John Royalty said that information will be forthcoming from city engineers. Lydian suggested that the information go through the council’s committees for discussion prior to a presentation to the council.

The council’s discussion did not focus on the occupational tax, but on determine the longer range funding needs. At the council’s Finance Committee meeting Friday, city engineer Jessica Filiatreau discussed how the city’s street paving schedule has fallen behind over the years. The council is expected to take up the occupational tax once more information becomes available on the probable future needs.

ZONING AMENDMENTS. City Attorney Tim Butler reviewed a long list of zoning regulation amendments that the council will vote on at its next meeting on Sept. 8, 2015.

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