Elizabethtown City Council Regular Meeting – October 20, 2025
Elizabethtown City Council Regular Meeting – October 20, 2025
The Elizabethtown City Council held its regular meeting on October 20, 2025, beginning with an invocation by Councilwoman Micah Tyler and approval of the minutes from October 13, 2025. The meeting included the swearing-in of a newly promoted police lieutenant, second readings of two ordinances, adoption of two municipal orders, and a closed session for real property and litigation discussions.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of minutes from October 13, 2025: motion made, seconded, and carried unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public offered comments.
Discussion Items
- Promotion Ceremony: Chief Thompson introduced the department's most recent promoted lieutenant, who was sworn in with the oath of office.
- Ordinance 26-2025 (Second Reading) – Scenic Parkway Signage Correction: This ordinance amended Ordinance 18-2025 to correct a clerical error, striking "Miles Street" and inserting "St. John Road" regarding off-premise sign prohibitions along city parkways. No discussion; passed unanimously.
- Ordinance 27-2025 (Second Reading) – Gas Rate Adjustments: This ordinance amended chapters 50 and 51 of the code of ordinances, raising natural gas rates across multiple rate classes (facility charges and per-MCF base rates) for the first time since 2012. The Mayor explained that an independent study showed the city's rates were still lower than comparable utilities after the adjustment. The ordinance also permits annual adjustments of up to 5% by mayoral executive order, subject to city council recall within 30 days. The council highlighted the need to cover inflation and equipment costs. Passed unanimously on a roll call vote (6-0).
- Municipal Order 64-2025 – Land Transfer to Habitat for Humanity: The city authorized the transfer of two lots on Mills Court (103 and 105) at no cost to Hardin County Habitat for Humanity for construction of affordable housing. The city also waived certain utility connection and building permit fees. The Mayor noted the city owns many scattered lots from past public works projects and expressed support for partnering with Habitat for Humanity. Adopted unanimously.
- Municipal Order 65-2025 – Wastewater Treatment Agreement Amendment with Hardin County Water District No. 2: The order amended a 2018 agreement to set an initial treatment capacity limit of 1.2 million gallons per day from the Glendale service area at the Valley Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant. Council members discussed the need to plan for expansion due to growth from the Blue Oval project and other development. Staff confirmed the plant's current capacity is about 13 million gallons per day with flows averaging 6–7 million, and the limit helps manage future expansion. The Mayor noted that the council's previous sewer rate increases strengthened the city's position in seeking state funding. Adopted unanimously.
- Announcements: The next regular council meeting is October 27, 2025. Halloween trick-or-treating is scheduled for October 31 (Friday) from 5–8 p.m.
- Closed Session: The council voted to enter closed session under KRS 61.810(1) to discuss potential future acquisition or sale of real property and existing or possible litigation. No action was anticipated afterward.
Key Outcomes
- Ordinance 26-2025: Passed unanimously (6-0).
- Ordinance 27-2025: Passed unanimously on roll call (6-0).
- Municipal Order 64-2025: Adopted unanimously.
- Municipal Order 65-2025: Adopted unanimously.
- Closed Session: Motion to enter closed session carried unanimously.
Meeting Transcript
You're okay with that. So we'll do the integration and then play out. And then we're going to do that to you come up and say whatever you should say and get that. Oh, you can get a review. Congratulations by the way. So don't worry about the five years. I don't know. Yeah. You ready? Welcome everyone's list of town city council regular meeting for October 20th, 2025. And I invite to ask Councilwoman Micah Tyler to lead us in the invitation, please. Heavenly Father, as we gather today, we ask for the light of your Holy Spirit to guide our discussions and decisions. May our words be special in charity and our hearts be evidence in the needs of others. Become safe in our service. For those who are suffering from illness, loss of their hardship that's around with three million life. Grant us wisdom and discernment as we work together for the common day. We place this meeting in your loving hands and ask that all we do here be done in the greater glory. Yes. Okay. Happy Monday. Good afternoon. We are going to start with approval of minutes from October 13th, 2025. I have a motion and a second. All in favor? Opposed. Seeing none, motion carries. Very excited today to introduce Chief Thompson, who is going to introduce our most recent promoted lieutenant. Well, good evening. And in the last couple months, we had a few retirements, which was unique because our department is so young. But with those retirements create opportunities. I do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this Commonwealth and be faithful and through the Commonwealth of Kentucky so long as I continue as citizen thereof, and that I will faithfully execute to the best of my ability the office that I first said according to law. And I do purpose all on the square that since the adoption of the present constitution, I being a citizen of this state and not file a dual deadly weapons within this state nor out of it, nor have I said where it said to the towns to file a bill with deadly weapons, nor have I acted as second in hearing of challenge nor any or assisted any person thus offending so helping God regolation. So just on speaking. Okay, I'm proud to introduce our attorney for our planning commission. Matt Hessen's done it for several years. He also acts as Ken Howard's substitute when Mr. Howard can't be here tonight, and so he's gonna read our he's gonna read some ordinances and municipal orders as we get through them. So we're gonna start with the second reading by motion of ordinance number 26, 2025, amending ordinance number 18, 2025, section one five four point two one two scenic parkway signage. If I can get a motion in a secondary, please. All in favor? Opposed, Mr. Hicks Amending ordinance number 18 2025, section 154.212, see parkway signage, ordinance number 26 2025 summary. This ordinance amend ordinance number 18 2025, section 154.212, City Parkway signage, in particular, a clerical correction to strike Miles Street and insert St. John Road relative to the prohibition of off-premise signs along city parkways in the city. And then please find the full ordinance on the city's website or by contacting the city clerk. Any discussion? Motion did not roll call vote. Council member Bissett. Yes. Councilmember Folkerson.
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