HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – A fast-tracked approval process initiated by Mayor James. R. Knight this week has resulted in Community Development Services transitioning operations and employees into the City of Hopkinsville. Currently, CDS is a local, outside entity that requires funding from the city to provide Christian County with historic preservation programs and overall planning services.

“This just feels like the slimiest thing I’ve ever been a part of sitting in this chair since 2020,” said Councilmember Travis Martin during the first vote on July 21. “It was just sprung on us when we walked through the door.”

This week, amendments to the operational and capital budgets were proposed to eliminate CDS and absorb their budget. It was revealed that there was no discussion at any committee of the whole meetings about these amendments, with Mayor Knight admitting that he bypassed this process to get the ball rolling. He said there have been behind the scenes talks with the city attorney and CDS, although the council was not included.

First and second vote passed in same week

Under governance of the city, CDS will transition to responsibilities focused on planning and zoning with the rest of their programs going “back under the city umbrella,” according to Knight.

The first reading passed earlier this week, with only Councilmember Travis Martin and Jason Bell voting against. Instead of the second reading being added to the next city council agenda two weeks later as per usual, they held a special called meeting two days later on July 23. No public comments are permitted during special called meetings.

“We’ve had two meeting now to make this drastic change and no public input, other than calls we’ve had today,” said Martin before the second vote. “At the end of the day, this change may be what’s right for the city, it could possibly be wrong, I’m open to the conversation. We’ve not had time to gather information and make a well-informed decision.”

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He made a motion to table to amendments to send them back to committee of the whole and hammer out contract details with CDS, but the motion failed.

“We can’t do this man,” said Councilmember Vance Smith said to Knight before the second vote. “It ain’t right, this can’t be how we’re going to run our government…let’s give these people a fair chance if they’re going to lose their jobs.”

Both budget amendment ordinances passed with the same distribution of votes. Voting in favor of the was Clayton Sumner, Terry Meek, Michael Velez, Elizabeth Draude, Brandi Stallons, Donald Marsh, Chuck Crabtree, and Marie Hughes. Voting against was Brittanie Bogard, Jason Bell, and Travis Martin.

Vance Smith removed himself from his seat during the vote and automatically abstained from both votes.

What this means for current CDS employees

Upon questioning during the initial meeting, City CFO Melissa Clayton said current CDS employees will be able to apply for their equivalent position through the city, but staff will not be automatically transferred over. Councilmember Clayton Sumner pointed out during that when the city took over the ECC department through the same process, all staff was able to successfully be hired back.

The following positions have been added to the City of Hopkinsville via the ordinance to integrate previous CDS services:

  • Building Code Superintendent
  • Geographical Information Systems Coordinador
  • Landbank Program Coordinator
  • Intergovernmental Program Coordinator
  • Building Code Inspector I
  • Building Code Inspector II

According to their website, more than a dozen staff members are currently employed by CDS including planners, building inspectors and administrative positions.

Key staffing at CDS currently includes Executive Director Tom Britton, who rejoined the team in 2019 and has been integral in integral zoning projects across the city. Working alongside him is Assistant Director and Downtown Renaissance Director Holly Boggess. She is frequently speaking on behalf of various programs during city council meetings and has been with CDS since 1996.

Job posting and an official transition are estimated to happen within the next few months.

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