Corbin City Commission proposes project-packed budget

The Corbin City Commission plans to spend $200,000 less in the coming year, but if approved, the 2018-19 fiscal year budget includes a new pumper for the fire department, four new cruisers for the police department, a new truck for recycling, expansion of the Larry Stevens Playground and funding for the splash pad.

In addition, the commission is proposing sidewalk improvements throughout the city.

“One of the priorities will be Gordon Hill. Believe it or not, the one going up the hill gets use a lot,” said Corbin City Manager Marlon Sams in discussing the budget at the commission’s work session meeting Monday.

The budget also includes increased funding to several local organizations.

The Corbin Public Library is slated to receive an additional $7,000. The Corbin Senior Citizens Center will get $1,000 more. The Corbin Office of Economic Development will be receiving an additional $10,000.

Sams noted that even with these and other proposed expenditures, the budget is $200,000 less than the 2017-18 fiscal year budget, $9.4 million compared to $9.6 million.

“I have to thank the city department heads,” Sams said. “They have done everything they could to limit spending.”

Sams said among the priorities is hiring a new recreation director and a new downtown director.

In addition, while the grant that had funded the two school resource officers at Corbin Independent Schools has expired, Sams said an agreement has been reached with the school system not only to keep the two officers in place, but to add a third officer.

The commission is scheduled to hold its regular meeting at 8 a.m. on June 25 to pass the first reading of the budget. The new budget will go into effect July 1.