The Midway Council at its regular meeting on Monday received a detailed presentation of the audit of the FY 2025 from its auditor, Sammy Lee of SK Lee CPAs, LLC, of Richmond. Lee’s overall opinion, which is the best that can be achieved, was the City of Midway had a “clean audit, there were no reportable issues or concerns, and everything turned out o.k.,” and city administrative staff, Elizabeth Waterfill and Sonya Conner, provided all necessary information and performed the bookkeeping and internal financial-related work competently and transparently.

A few of the key takeaways from the audit report were: the statement of Midway’s net position of its government operations, analyzing assets and liabilities, showed a positive $6,376,122 of equity which Lee described as a “strong position”, with a 5:1 ration, meaning the city had $5 to cover every $1 of debt; after reviewing monies received against monies paid out, “Midway made a profit” of $116,110 according to Lee; in terms of proprietary funds,, the net position was $3,665,966, which Lee again said was a “good sign” of a strong financial position; the restricted cemetery perpetual fund balance was $270,200, a gain of $23,000 from the prior fiscal year, which is a result of growth in the city’s money market account; capital assets, less depreciation, are valued at $5,165,929, but as Lee noted, this does not reflect the assets true value, only the original value less depreciation – thus, the city is managing assets with a higher total value “closer to $20 million, which reflects the investments made in the city by this and prior councils and mayors.”

Midway Mayor Grayson Vandegrift said he will wait until the next regular meeting for the vote to accept the audit to allow some time for council members and the public to study the report and be able to ask questions.

Ordinances

Council heard the second reading of two ordinances, which now are in effect..

The first was the adoption of various text amendments to planning and zoning adopted by the Woodford County Fiscal Court relating to unincorporated or agriculturally zoned areas like the changes to in-family conveyances and rural residential developments,

Planning Director Steve Hunter appeared and provided a brief overview, and said the main purpose of the ordinance before the council was to make Midway, Versailles, and the county ordinances remain consistent.

The other ordinance related to a telecommunication franchise due to the lack of a current franchise agreement between the city and Windstream.

The other ordinance, which was drafted by Councilmember Patrick Hall, received its first reading. The ordinance relates to the obligation of residences and businesses obligation to remove snow from their sidewalks. The proposal arises from the significant winter storms the area endured during the recent winter, and is an attempt to more quickly have snow removed where the public walks.

Vandegrift asked the council to study the proposal and be ready to discuss and debate in the next meeting. He also raised concerns about the enforcement provisions.

Midway Museum

Greg Bush, the President of the Midway Museum, and Joe Hoffman, a member of the museum’s board, appeared before council to express their thanks for the cooperation and support the city provides to the museum.

The two also discussed 2025 accomplishments, and plans for 2026 and the future such as a new website, the addition of Bill Coger as the volunteer manager of collections, more outdoor educational signage, and to begin preparations for Midway’s bicentennial celebration in 20233.

They also provided visitor data, showing a total of 3,545 visitors in 2025 who signed the visitors book, with all 50 states and 38 countries represented.

Northside PTO fundraiser

Stacey Nuckols, the president of the Northside Elementary P.T.O., received council’s approval for its event application for the annual 5K fundraiser. The event will be on April 19, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., which will kick off from the Walter Bradley Park before winding its way down Dudley, N. Brand, and E. Stephens streets.

Under the city’s new parade and event ordinance, Northside is a Midway school and so will not be charged a fee. Northside will be responsible for paying the costs of two VPD officers.