The Leitchfield Utilities Commission is unaccustomed to mid-year budget reports of the type it got Thursday (2/15).

City Clerk-Treasurer Kerry White said the mid-year report shows the Utilities Department in the black by $1.5 million.

White was quick to add, however, that the extra bright revenue picture is the result of grants over the past year, the major one being a state grant for a major sewer upgrade.

With the grants pulled out of the budget, he said, the department showed a margin of $18,000 in revenues over expenses.

Recent deep freeze temperatures have upped the sale of natural gas for heating, he said, “but we don't normally see this income reflected until the third and fourth quarter.”

For all budget items -- water, sewer and gas -- White said the current year's revenues and expenditures are about where it should be at mid-year, at 45 percent.

Commissioners discussed the possibility of some delays in one of the grants, the one funding the sewer rehab project on U.S. 62 East.

It is unclear what the changes might be, but the commission said it had been contacted by Lincoln Trail Area Development District about possible changes during the current legislative session. Specific changes, if any, were not outlined.

Also, the commission said it would like to use part of the grant for a water delivery project ($200,000). The Highway 62 East sewer project ($650,000 to include Fountain View Estates) is expected to be ready for bids by mid-summer.

All the grant money has come from three sources, the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, and Community Development Block Grants, all with specific rules about how the funds can be spent.

Since these funds were awarded to the city, the City Council will have to approve the Utilities Commission plans discussed Thursday.

The commission approved sending that request to the council, asking for an okay with the start date open.