Corbin City Commission votes 3-2 for tax hike, promotes officers

Corbin Police Chief Rusty Hedrick presented officers Jeff Hill and Stephen Meadors with plaques commemorating their promotions to the rank of corporal.

Corbin residents will likely be seeing an increase on their 2017 property tax bills.

Corbin City Manager Marlon Sams recommended to Corbin City Commission Monday that the city raise the tax rate 4 percent.

This is projected to generate about $68,000 in additional revenue for the city, Sams said.

The city commission approved the first reading of the tax rate ordinance by a 3-2 vote. A second reading is required before the new tax rate goes into effect.

City Commissioners David Hart, Trent Knuckles and Andrew Pennington voted for the increase.

“Just by way of explanation so people understand, that doesn’t mean your tax rate goes up 4 percent. It means it allows the city to collect 4 percent more in real dollars,” Knuckles noted.

Pennington estimated that a person owning a $100,000 home would pay $10 more due to the new rate.

Mayor Willard McBurney and City Commissioner Ed Tye voted against the ordinance.

“I just don’t like raising any taxes,” McBurney noted.

A tentative Oct. 6 public hearing date has been set regarding the tax rate, which won’t go into effect until after the second reading is approved.

The commission also approved the first reading of an ordinance Monday setting the 2018 motor vehicle tax rate at 24.23 cents per $100 of assessed value, which is the same rate it has been for several years.

In addition, the commission authorized Corbin City Attorney Bob Hammons to take legal action against properties located at 602 Gentry Street and 414 Third Street.

Hammons said the property owners haven’t responded to code board violations about substandard housing so he will proceed with lawsuits to tear down the structures and enforce the city’s liens on the properties.

In other business, the commission:

• Set trick or treating hours for 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. for Main Street, and from 6-8 p.m. for neighborhoods on Halloween.
• Approved the first reading of an amendment to the alcohol ordinance that takes out the seating requirement for restaurants to serve alcohol, and allows karaoke and dancing at establishments that serve alcohol.
• Approved the first reading of an ordinance annexing property at 899 S. Highway 26 into the city limits. The property will be zoned C-1, which is general business district.
• Authorized Hammons to draft ordinances to annex the right of way along Gordon Hill, also known as Ky. 312, all the way to the Ky. 312 Bridge at the county line, and property at 4672 Fifth Street Road belonging to Patsy and Leland Felts.

The city limits currently end at Fred Nash Road on KY 312.

• Announced the promotion of Corbin Police Officers Stephen Meadors and Jeff Hill to the rank of corporal.