Elizabethtown City Council Special Meeting – July 13, 2026

The Elizabethtown City Council held a special meeting on July 13, 2026, to consider four municipal orders covering reappointments, sidewalk improvements, property transfer for affordable housing, and a grant for a nature park. The council also heard a public comment requesting a tree buffer and a presentation on natural gas billing delays.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of minutes from June 15, 2026 – unanimous.
• Municipal Order 53‑2026 – Reappointment of Titus Sublet to the Code Enforcement Board with a term expiring July 7, 2029 – unanimous.
• Municipal Order 54‑2026 – Acceptance of bids from BC Concrete for concrete installation and removal services for sidewalk repairs, excluding continuous poured curbs because Sable Construction’s bid was higher than the city could recommend. The mayor noted that Sable Construction might be used for other projects on a case‑by‑case basis – unanimous.
• Municipal Order 55‑2026 – Transfer of three properties (605, 607, and 609 Moore Drive) to Hardin County Habitat for Humanity at no cost, and waiver of city utility connection fees (sanitary sewer, natural gas), building plan review fees, construction fees, and electrical fees to facilitate affordable housing construction – unanimous.
• Municipal Order 56‑2026 – Authorizing a $2 million grant application to the Kentucky Department of Local Government under House Bill 900 for the Elizabethtown Nature Park (Parks and Trails Conservatory Project) – unanimous.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Karen Macy (1028 Pawnee Drive) requested installation of a tree buffer between Pawnee Drive and 3027 Ring Road to address noise pollution, lack of privacy, erosion, aesthetic concerns, and environmental benefits. The mayor responded that the city is evaluating the request but noted that such buffers have not been installed elsewhere and that future development of the adjacent lot owned by Mr. Owens might require a buffer. Macy expressed concern about indefinite delay and suggested the city could recoup costs if the lot is developed later. The mayor said the city will continue to work on the issue.

Discussion Items

• Natural Gas Billing Delays – CFO Jeff Hawkins explained that postal processing delays at the Louisville facility have caused some customers not to receive their gas bills. The city is suspending late fees and penalties for cycles 1 and 2 (due on the 1st and 10th of the month). Cycle 3 was unaffected. Hawkins encouraged customers to sign up for electronic bills, ACH payments (no fee), or online account management to avoid future issues. Councilmember Fulkerson suggested hand‑stamping mail to keep it in Elizabethtown, but Hawkins noted that doing so depends on post office staffing and is not always possible.
• Announcements – Councilmember Fulkerson reported that the Hardin County Fair raised $7,000 for the Beds for Kids program through Helping Hand of Hope. The mayor announced that a section of Highway 222 will be dedicated to Staff Sergeant Ben Pennington on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Glendale Christian Church.

Key Outcomes

• All four municipal orders were approved unanimously without recorded opposition.
• The council will continue to evaluate the tree buffer request and may require a buffer if the adjacent property is developed.
• The council entered closed session pursuant to KRS 61.810(1) to discuss the general nature of existing or imminent litigation and specific economic development proposals. No action was expected following the closed session.