Hopkinsville City Council Members received a presentation concerning May’s financial statement and discussed using unassigned funds for city improvements at Tuesday’s meeting.
As the 2025-26 fiscal year comes to an end, Chief Financial Officer Melissa Clayton says the city has stayed well within its $58.4 million budget, spending around $47.7 million.
Clayton also shared that the city’s unassigned cash fund is $20.6 million making up 44% of the adjusted operating budget, which raised questions from Ward Seven Council Member Clayton Sumner. He asked when the money could be put to use to maybe help repair city roads, strengthen the city’s drainage system or support a tax reduction.
Clayton says the beginning of the upcoming fiscal year in July comes with a lot of expenses such as worker’s compensation and liability insurance, and that’s where the unassigned cash fund will come in handy.
Ward Four Council Member Chuck Crabtree recommended continuing this discussion at a Future Funding Committee meeting. The committee was renewed for the upcoming fiscal year.
Turning to voting matters, council members approved an amendment to the city’s employee classification and compensation plan that that makes crime scene technicians, animal control officers and public safety officers eligible for the career enhancement incentive program stipend. The stipend was established for all sworn city staff.