HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Hopkinsville Mayor James R. Knight initiated a process that effectively shut down Community Development Services in order to transition their historic preservation programs and zoning/planning services into the city. With two votes approved by councilmembers within 48 hours and no public input, CDS Assistant Director Holly Boggess is still processing the outcome. `

At the time of the meeting, Knight said he bypassed normal processes due to continuous behind-the-scenes contract negotiations. Despite vocal opposition from select councilmembers, the budget ordinance establishing this change was passed by the city council in an 8-3 vote.

“We were completely taken by surprise,” Boggess told Christian County Now in response to the decision made during the July 21 city council meeting. “We had discussed a contract that met Mayor Knight’s requests during a meeting with him on Monday, July 20. That contract was to be ratified by the CDS Board of Directors at their July 27 meeting.”

City provides insight on decision

“The decision to transition certain CDS services back under the City of Hopkinsville was not made hastily,” said a statement from the City of Hopkinsville to Christian County Now about the vote. “The city has spent approximately two to three years engaged in contract discussions and evaluating how these services can best be delivered.”

They went on to say that this approach was the most responsible path forward to ensure continuity, accountability, and the effective use of public resources.

“This transition is not intended to eliminate programs or reduce services. Rather, the city is working with all involved parties to maintain services, minimize disruptions and provide a smooth transition for the community,” continued the statement.

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Impact on current CDS employees

One of the biggest causes for concern regarding the passage of this ordinance is job security for over a dozen people that currently work for CDS. New job descriptions under “Building Maintenance” were approved to accommodate CDS services, with current employees invited to apply for positions that best matches with their current job.

“This move drastically affects the operation of our organization and creates concerns regarding staffing levels,” added Boggess, who has been with CDS since 1996. “The job descriptions and positions that have been approved as part of this process do not appear to align with the work currently being performed in conjunction with the accompanying programs.”

With six positions created for the new department, several of the open positions were already posted by the City of Hopkinsville the last week of July. Although CDS currently operates independently and serves the entire county, they received funding allocations from the city for programs.

Local Development Corporation feels effect, next steps

Due to the late introduction of the ordinance immediately before the first reading and the regulations in place for special called meeting, no public comments were permitted about the topic. Boggess said this deprived them of the opportunity to provide feedback and address concerns, “We are trying to navigate through this process and have been advised that Mayor Knight will be in touch with us and our attorney to discuss how the transition will take place.”

According to Boggess, Local Development Corporation (LDC) was also not consulted regarding this change, although their annual allocation from the city was suddenly reduced from $43,218 to $10,805. The chair of the LDC requested that the second reading was postponed so they could review and respond, but Boggess said it was denied.

“The LDC has served as the ‘real estate arm’ of the City of Hopkinsville since 1985,” she said. “They have been instrumental in oversight of programs and activities that have helped shape the Legacy Hopkinsville Neighborhoods and the Downtown Renaissance District.”

The next city council meeting will take place on Aug. 4, no agenda item related to CDS has been posted. Christian County Now has reached out to the City of Hopkinsville for additional comment.

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