The 2008-2009 fiscal year budget for the city of Richmond received its first reading Tuesday by the city commission, but will not officially be voted on until the next regular meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 10, at City Hall.
The $23,834,080 general fund is a 9.5 percent increase from last year, said Richmond City Manager David Evans.
One of the biggest changes in this year’s budget is the health insurance for city employees, which will be switched from Anthem to United Health Care.
If the city remained with Anthem, employees would be faced with a 14 percent increase in the cost of insurance. By changing to United Health Care, employees will only see a 4 percent increase.
The commission adopted an order Tuesday to officially make the change. Employees will pay $311.99 per month for single coverage.
The commission also voted to enter into a contract with Jefferson-Pilot for life insurance and long-term disability coverage.
The yearly premium for employees will be $15,789 and long-term disability insurance coverage will have an annual premium of $32,787.
In other business:
• A bid for Richmond Fire Department equipment upgrades in the amount of $135,115 was awarded to the Louisville-based Orr Safety.
• A bid for the paving of various city streets was awarded to the Winchester-based Allen Co. in the amount of $43.75 per ton for base and $44.75 per ton surface.
• Richmond-based Baldwin & Associates was chosen to perform the audit of the general-purpose financial statements for the city at a cost of $22,500.
• Richmond-based Craft, Noble and Co. was chosen to audit the general-purpose financial statements of the Richmond, Water, Gas and Sewerage for a cost of $16,755.
• An order was adopted that will allow the city to donate to the White Hall State Historic Shrine a box of historic documents that include three copies of wills written by Cassius M. Clay for proper conservation and display.
• Lisa Cassidy was hired as program coordinator for the Richmond Parks and Recreation Department; Michael Cavalcante and Charles Smith were hired as seasonal summer employees for the Richmond Parks and Recreation Department; John C. Stone was hired as a seasonal park security worker for the city; Greg Hendrix was hired as a temporary park security worker; and Randall Webb was transferred from seasonal to full-time status in the parks and recreation department.
• The commission recognized the retirement of Charles Denny from the Gibson Bay Golf Course Maintenance team.
• Michelle McBrayer was reappointed to the city’s Architectural Review Board.
• More than 2,000 people visited Paradise Cove at Gibson Bay over the holiday weekend, according to Erin Moore, director of the Richmond Parks and Recreation Department. There were 435 visitors on Saturday, 809 on Sunday and 933 on Monday, she said.
A total of 401 season passes already have been sold for the aquatic center’s first season.
Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 623-1669, Ext. 234.
Local News
City budget up 9.5 percent
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Judge weighs constitutionality of legislative redistricting
Kentucky’s deadline for filing to run for legislative seats was in flux on Monday because a judge did not immediately rule on a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of newly redrawn district boundaries.
Franklin County Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd said he expects to enter a ruling in the case by mid-week.
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Couple recovering from injuries suffered in weekend house fire
A couple was hospitalized after their home was set ablaze Sunday by a spark from a cigar, according to a county fire official.
County Fire Chief Jim Cox said the city and county fire departments were called to the home at 111 Concord Road in the early afternoon. Waco Volunteer Fire Department and the Richmond Fire Department also responded.
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EKU closes dining room at Arlington Clubhouse
A Richmond country club is no longer offering dining to members, but remains available for catered events and will be open on certain holidays.
Arlington Country Club, which has been a staple of Eastern Kentucky University for the past 40 years, laid off all dining staff late last week, according to Tom Coffey of the EKU Foundation.
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Standoff at Super 8 Motel ends peacefully
A bizarre drug-fueled standoff at the Richmond Super 8 Motel ended peacefully with no one hurt, including a child who was in the room with a man that police found wielding two knives.
About 1:53 a.m. Friday, police received a call about a man who was threatening someone with a knife at the motel on North Keeneland Drive, according to Richmond Police Chief Larry Brock.
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Trial for couple accused of human trafficking delayed
The trial for a Berea couple accused of human trafficking involving their daughters has been delayed.
Despite Monday morning television reports that the trial was beginning Monday, it was postponed because the attorneys are not ready to try the case.
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Richmond man charged with child porn possession
(Editor’s note: The following story contains graphic information some readers may find offensive.)
A Richmond man has been arrested for possession of child pornography as a result of a nearly one-year investigation by local police.
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Noted author to deliver keynote address for Black History Month
Almost a year ago, Arnold Rampersad stood in the East Room of the White House as he was presented the National Humanities Medal by President Barack Obama.
On Thursday, Feb. 16, the noted author will stand in O’Donnell Hall of Eastern Kentucky University’s Student Success Building to deliver the keynote address for the university’s Black History Month observance. Rampersad’s visit is also part of Eastern’s year-long Chautauqua lecture series, and the title of his talk, “Black History: The Challenge of Living with Others,” coincides with this year’s Chautauqua theme, “Living with Others: Challenges and Promises.” -
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity of Madison and Clark Counties, which has built 160 homes for people in need since 1992, is seeking applicants for partner families, according to Judy Flavell, executive director of the organization.
“We really need applicants right now,” Flavell said. “More people can qualify for Habitat homes than people realize.”
Eligible applicants must have lived in Madison or Clark counties for at least one year, have a stable income, be able to pay a modest monthly mortgage and be able to demonstrate that their current housing is overcrowded, physically substandard, too expensive, unsafe, or they are living in subsidized housing, according to Habitat.
For more information about eligibility, or to apply, call Habitat for Humanity at 625-9208 or visit its office at 1417 East Main Street in Richmond. Visit online at habitatmadisonclark.org. -
Occupational therapy dept. at EKU offers program for adults with memory loss
For local adults who are experiencing memory loss related to dementia or Alzheimer’s, the Department of Occupational Therapy at Eastern Kentucky University has provided “The Place to Be” for the past two decades.
The department will again sponsor the free eight-week program on Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., beginning Feb. 9. Participants can attend Thursday and/or Friday. Applications still are being accepted (call 893-0653) for the free service, which is offered in Room 100 of the Dizney Building on EKU’s campus. -
Bible Belt towns in state consider going ‘wet’
In this Appalachian college town where socially conservative views are bedrocks of life, some people want to do what was once unthinkable: legalize liquor sales.
Supporters say passing the measure in Tuesday’s special election in Barbourville would tap a new revenue source in a place where hundreds of jobs are evaporating as one plant shuts down and another cuts its workforce in half. But from the pulpits to the courthouse square, opponents have been pressing their case that uncorking liquor sales would irreparably harm the town of about 3,200. - More Local News Headlines
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