City Council approves longer public comments time, lowered occupational license tax

Hopkinsville City Council Members voted to give citizens more time to speak during public comments, and the mayor broke a tied vote to lower the occupational license tax at Tuesday’s meeting.

To start the meeting, Hopkinsville Mayor J.R. Knight was presented with an appreciation award from the Hopkinsville Masonic Lodge for his service and dedication to the community.

Once again, Bluegrass Splash Family Aquatic Center is experiencing a leak and is in need of repairs. Knight says it will not be a cheap fix, the park suffered a significant water loss, and work is underway to locate the leak.

Turning toward ordinances, the council unanimously voted to extend citizens’ speaking time during public comments from three minutes to five minutes. Ward Seven Council Member Clayton Sumner questioned if stopping someone who continues to speak beyond those five minutes infringes on free speech.

City Attorney Doug Willen assured that the ordinance is enforceable and would be recognized in a court of law.

Council members were split concerning an ordinance to lower the occupational license tax rate from 1.5% to 1.3% of a business’s net profits. Ward Four and Ward Five Council Members Chuck Crabtree and Amy Craig agreed that the city currently has a lot of expenses on its plate and is not in a position for a tax decrease.

In comparison to other Kentucky cities, Craig shared that Hopkinsville has the fourth-lowest occupational license tax rate in the state. She says if business owners threaten to relocate as a result of the rate, then they will likely end up in an area with a higher rate.

Ward Three Council Member Don Marsh proposed an amendment to make the tax rate 1.35% and the extra 5% would go toward economic development, but his motion was denied. Council members voted on the original ordinance, which resulted in a tie.

Knight broke the tie and voted to lower the tax rate to 1.3%. He says as a mayor he does not agree with the decrease, but as businessman, he thinks it’s the right move and Craig criticized his reasoning.

On second reading, council members approved reducing the speed limit on Deepwood Drive from 30 mph to 25 mph. They also approved allowing the Hopkinsville Water Environment Authority to increase its wholesale rate in increments.

Council members also voted to dissolve the Cable Television Oversight Authority.