HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – The City of Hopkinsville has officially approved a lower net profit tax/occupational tax rate, dropping it from 1.5% to 1.3%. Additionally, councilmember voted to extend the time allotted for public comments for future meetings.
The long-discussed topic of the net profit tax rate has continually split the city council, with back-and-forth talks extending over months. The proposed lower occupational tax rate provides a small cut for businesses who saw a dramatic increase in payment when the cap was previously removed on the tax. This rate was decided after input from a committee that was formed to find a solution to outweigh the additional cost. In turn, the lower rate costs the city around $200,000 in potential revenue.
Despite a heated discussion during the first vote on Nov. 5, which ended with Mayor J.R. Knight breaking a tie, councilmembers got straight to the point during the second reading Tuesday night. Voting against the ordinance proposing a lower rate was Councilmember Jason Bell, Elizabeth Draude, Vance Smith, Chuck Crabtree, and Amy Craig. Voting in favor was Councilmember Donald Marsh, Travis Martin, Clayton Sumner, Seth Meek, and Brittanie Bogard.
Councilmember Michael Velez delayed his vote for three and a half minutes, expressing his conflicted nature regarding the vote. He ultimately abstained saying, “This decision is too great on my shoulders.”
This resulted in another split vote of 5-5, leaving the final decision to Mayor Knight. He once again voted in favor of the lower net profit tax, and the ordinance passed.
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Extended public comments during city council meetings
Councilmembers passed a second reading to extend the time that citizens are permitted to speak during public comments at meetings. Previously, speakers were allowed to address the council for three minutes, which was tracked on a digital clock at the back of the council chambers. The amendment to the existing ordinance extends that to five minutes.
During the first vote at the beginning of November, councilmembers voiced that tis amendment would mean they have to prioritize remaining consistent in enforcing the time mandate. Mayor J.R. Knight shared that indicators will be made clearer in the future when time has run out, which currently includes a “beep” alerting them of their, along with verbal intervention from the mayor.
The time during public comments can be used for receiving communications, petitions, complaints, and information from citizens. As before, the presiding officer may order any member of the public to leave a meeting if they refuse to comply with the procedures and time limit, or if they are unruly or disruptive. They may also request the intervention of the Hopkinsville Police Department.
The second reading of the amended ordinance unanimously passed, allowing for public comments to last five minutes.
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