City hires attorney to help with payroll tax options

Corbin leaders made it clear Monday that they are considering their legal options and a whole range of issues by voting unanimously to hire a constitutional law expert.
Jeff Mando, an attorney in the firm of Adams, Stepner, Wolterman and Dosing in Covington, was officially hired at the regular monthly meeting of the Corbin City Commission.
In a press release signed by the commission, city leaders say Mando will be working on occupational tax issues in Knox and Whitley County, among other things.
“Some time ago, the City of Corbin was faced with the issue of an occupational tax levied on its residents in Knox County. The city has not been able to realize any benefit from this tax and we feel this is extremely unfair. Most recently, the City of Corbin has been faced with its citizens being taxed again by the Whitley County Fiscal Court. We have had no formal negotiations with the Whitley County Fiscal Court to this point and we feel as though this is not in the best interest of our citizens. There are strong indications that the Whitley County Fiscal Court views their commitment to the citizens of Corbin in a different perspective than we as a council feel they should.”
Mando will also explore issues that have arisen from Corbin being a city incorporated in two counties – the only Kentucky city in this situation. Though left vague, issues such as annexation could be explored.
“Over the past years, more often than not, these circumstances have worked against the City of Corbin. It is often difficult to work with two fiscal courts and to obtain support from either of them in light of the fact that we are not the county seat in either county.”
Corbin Mayor Amos Miller called Mando one of the “best around” in the area of constitutional law.
“He’s the lawyer for the Kentucky League of Cities,” Miller said. “He knows what he’s doing.”
Miller said city leaders have already met with Mando, particularly to discuss issues surrounding occupational taxes in Knox and Whitley Counties.
“It is the pledge of this commission that we will thoroughly search every possible avenue to protect the best interest of the citizens of Corbin. We have been properly advised as to the best direction to take and we are committed to take action and to resolve this matter to the best of our ability.”
In other business, the commission:
• Honored Corbin Fire Department Assistant Chief Gary Price for 30 years of service.
• Approved a grant to install four more outdoor warning sirens around the city. All but 12 percent of the grant will be paid for by outside funds.