Midway has begun its budgeting process for 2023-24 with a work session held last Thursday, May 11.
At this week’s regular council meeting on Monday, May 15, Mayor Stacy Thurman advised that projections for the occupational tax and other revenues are on track so there should be sufficient money available. Any budget requires choices given the limited pool of money, but “hard choices” or a cut back in services will not be required. Thurman said that the “takeaway from our fiscal status is that Midway is in a good position economically.”
A priority of the council and Thurman is a pay increase for city employees. Thurman stated she would propose a 6 percent increase in the budget draft. Thurman scheduled a second work session for Monday, May 22 at 5:30 p.m. which is open to the public. The council and city staff will then be able to engage in a more detailed analysis and have the ability to finalize a budget to be voted on later. Thurman indicated this should allow council to enact the budget on time.
Two residents spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting.
Chris Batts asked about the planned paving in Gayland Subdivision and the status of the empty building on Main Street.
Thurman advised that bidding is underway for the paving job, and it should begin in June. She said Versailles-Midway-Woodford County Planning Director Steve Hunter was dealing with the owner of the vacant building who was advised that a new permit could not be issued without him going back to the Architectural Review Board. Thurman also indicated that she and the council were focused on this problem and were currently working on other options, including activating the code enforcement board with new members.
Melvin Bush raised questions about public access to the city softball field given Midway University had erected entrance gates to the campus preventing folks from driving to the field. Thurman reported that the city and university had renewed the agreement and that Midway residents and groups could use the field but needed to schedule it with the university. Bush also asked if the city was taking any action to bring a bank back to Midway given many residents do not like online banking. Councilmember Logan Nance and Thurman detailed approaches they had made with various banks that operated in the region but had not had any success to date.
Versailles Police Chief Mike Murray detailed his department’s budget proposal for 2023-24.
The proposal will be an increase of $26,000 for Midway’s share of the funding. Murray provided an overview of how Midway is patrolled and that there is always at least one officer on duty. He indicated that the police are spending more time on the I-64 corridor, including rest areas, Green Gables and Midway Station. He also advised that, if the budget is approved, all police employees will receive a 6 percent pay raise and that five new positions will be created to ease the transition with retirees. Councilmember Patrick Hall congratulated the department on adding Ellie Castle as an in-house victim advocate.