MIDWAY’S FIRST FAMILY, Grayson and Katie Vandegrift, welcomed the family’s newest additions on July 17, with twin 7-pounders, Mack Grant, left, and Robert “Bobby” Dylan. (Photo by Grayson Vandegrift)

 

The Midway City Council unanimously approved the second reading of an ordinance to increase the tax insurers pay on premiums they receive from insurance policies sold to individuals and businesses located in the city from 5 percent to 9 percent as discussed at the last meeting. 

Mayor Grayson Traugott explained at the July 21 meeting that this was necessitated by the dramatic increase in the amount required for the city to pay Versailles to participate in the countywide Versailles Police Department agreement.  

“The percentage of the general budget now dedicated to public protection by law enforcement has grown to 23 percent – a significant jump since the current agreement was entered into in 2023,” he said.  

The ordinance passed on a vote of 4-0, with councilmembers Steve Simoff and Patrick Hall absent. Each of the voting members said they were voting for it, but “I don’t want to do it.” 

137-141 E. Main Street 

Sugar Hill Design, which is the contractor for a new business yet to be publicly identified, indicated it will be seeking an encroachment permit for 137-141 E. Main Street to resolve drainage issues on the building. The work is not expected to take more than a few days, and the sidewalk will be repaired following its completion. Black Type Coffee and Tea was the most recent business located in the building. 

Police Task Force 

At its last meeting, the council approved Vandegrift’s request to create a police task force for the purpose of studying and recommending to the council the best course of action to provide law enforcement services for Midway. Vandegrift announced the first meeting will be on July 29 at 5:30 p.m. at the Midway Museum, where the council usually meets. Though the meeting will not be live-streamed, it will be open to the public. 

Congratulations 

The council congratulated Vandegrift and his wife Katie on the birth of their healthy twins on July 17, reporting that Katie was recovering wonderfully. The lads’ names are Mack Grant Vandegrift and Robert “Bobby” Dylan Vandegrift, and both came in right at 7 pounds. The Vandegrifts, with four children, are now just one short of being able to field a full squad of Midway Blue Jays.