OAK GROVE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – With the new fiscal year starting in July, the City of Oak Grove narrowly approved a budget for 2026-27. Ongoing discussion about a proposed 4% tax levy nearly stalled the approval during the June 2 city council meeting despite the insistence that the budget can be passed without an agreement on the levy.

“What you’re voting on and considering tonight is your budget. You can’t actually pass your tax levy yet because you don’t have your compensating substitute increased rate,” said Oak Grove City Attorney Lee Wilson to the council. He emphasized that the council is not setting a property tax rate during this meeting adding, “You are not passing a tax rate, you are passing a budget.”

The city’s finance director confirmed that the numbers presented to council in the budget with the levy were estimates based on potential evaluations from the PVA. An amendment is able to be done on the budget to include an adjusted levy passed on incoming compensating rates.

Going into last fiscal year, the city council faced a similar problem, with a vote to approve a 4% levy not approved until September. The proposed budget shows anticipated receipts and expenditures of just over $22.4 million.

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Arguments among councilmembers, second reading ends in tie

“We shouldn’t put the burden of growth on our residents, we should put it on the businesses and the houses that are coming,” said Councilmember John Campbell during the city council meeting. Campbell, Janet Edwards, and Edward Cook all voiced that residents were concerned about a potential impact of the levy.

“The residents are very, very concerned,” said Cook, specifically mentioning that a tax levy could negatively reflect on seniors who are on a fixed income. Edwards recommended they accept a lower tax levy, saying that it would still bring in a high amount of additional revenue.

Councilmember Isaiah Spencer also spoke up during the meeting, sharing that he believes the upcoming election was impacting discussions. He said, “They want to tell the people what they want to hear, not what the main issues are. That’s why Oak Grove is suffering…you get what you pay for.”

Spencer continued to say that this indecision is why the city does not have updated facilities. Conflicting arguments stemmed for the duration of the meeting about expanding revenue sources, increased property values, high cost of living and postponed capital projects.

The council ultimately had a split decision when it came to the second and final reading of the budget ordinance. Voting in favor of passing the budget was Councilmember Isaiah Spencer, Richard Baker and Jean Leavell. Voting against was John Campbell, Janet Edwards and Edward Cook.

Because there was a tie, Mayor Jackie Oliver was the deciding factor, who voted in favor of passing the budget.

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