Staff Writer

LEITCHFIELD -- The City Council approved the second reading of proposed zone changes and also approved the second reading of a proposed annexation of the "Northeast area."

The council's first action was to amend the minutes of the last meeting to reflect that it was a first reading of the proposed zone change read at the last meeting. The council approved the change and moved to the second reading of the change ordinance.

The changes will affect the properties of Kenny Cornwell on Floyd Street and Charlie Elmore on Brandenburg Road. Cornwell's property will change from B-1 neighborhood business to C-1 highway commercial. Elmore's property will change from R-2 single family residential to B-1 neighborhood business.

The matter of the proposed annexation of the "Northeast" area was then brought before the council. Property owners Ralph and Candy Swift spoke up on their concerns about the annexation. "Why were we not contacted before this area was to be annexed?"

Leitchfield Mayor william H. Thomason said, "It was a misconception. Maybe we listened to people we shouldn't have." He explained that the city officials had contacted only enough residents to push the proposal over the 50% approval needed for annexation and that the officials had been told the Swifts were opposed to the annexation, so they wee not contacted.

The swifts asked what would happen if 50% of the residents signed a petition protesting the move. "If 50% of them sign a protest and wish not to be annexed, the matter would go to a vote." The protest stemmed from a proposed sewer line and mandatory hookup to the line.

Mayor Thomason suggested the couple attend the Utilities Commission meeting this Thursday and explain their request to the commissioners. The Swifts asked that the line, if run, be placed across the road from the property they live on, but, it could run across other property they own on the other side of Salt River Road.

City Attorney Ken Smart stated, "If within 60 days of this reading a petition is filed protesting the annexation, then the matter would go on a ballot. Depending on the outcome of this special election the matter would then be approved or disapproved. If no petition is filed the ordinance would then go into effect."

The council then heard the second reading of the intent to annex ordinance and approved it.

The council then made a couple of appointments. Kendall Clemons and Steve Kinkade were reappointed to four year terms on the Leitchfield Planning Commission. Darrell Moll was reappointed to a four year term on the Leitchfield Board of Adjustments. Both appointments passed with a 6-0 vote.

City Clerk Kerry White then gave his first quarter financial report for the city. After he presented the report he stated to the council, "Overall, expenditures are at 25% of budget. Revenues are at 24% of budget, 57,202 under expenses for the first three months. I do expect that the remaining quarters will improve our bottom line due to the collection of property taxes and net profit fees."

He listed the total expenditures by department. The G&A fund is 18% of the budget. Planning and Zoning comes in at 2% of budget. The police department comes in with 19% of the budget. The fire department is 4% of the budget. Public works uses 50% of the budget and the parks and recreation department uses 6% of the total budget.

Councilwoman Dorothy McCall stated the name plates for the trees at James D. Beville Park had been placed around the walking track. She also commended the council on the decision to place the flowers around the Public Square. "The Woman's Club is sending a check for $100 and the Garden Club is donating $50 to the cause.