Shelbyville council approves several annexations and zoning changes, plus sponsorship and pension amendment

The Shelbyville City Council on Jan. 8 approved a series of annexations and zoning changes and handled a slate of routine business items.

Annexations and rezoning: The council adopted resolutions and corresponding plans of services to annex multiple owner‑consent parcels into city limits, including a 0.52± acre parcel at 131 Hartshapel/Parks Chapel Road owned by Coy and Jane Landers, a 10.36± acre tract owned by Richard M. and Kristen B. Wilhelm (231 North), and a larger tract referenced to State Route 437 owned by Susie Cartwright Johnson. The council also considered and advanced multiple zoning‑map amendments to reclassify the parcels (for example, changes from A‑1 agricultural to C‑2 general business or from R‑1 to R‑3 in the case of a Riverview Drive parcel). City Attorney Ginger Shaulfner read the resolutions and ordinances aloud during the meeting’s hearing and second‑reading process and Lisa Smith performed roll calls that resulted in recorded approvals.

Event sponsorship: Council authorized a $10,000 sponsorship for the Connected Community 5K set for May 9, 2026. Staff and council clarified the event organizer is a tax‑exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit and noted the county board had not yet taken up its matching approval (county action expected at the following Tuesday’s meeting). Council members discussed how prior proceeds had been allocated to Bedford County schools but said actual distribution details were not on hand at the meeting.

Employee benefits: Acting on unanimous recommendations from the employee pension and benefits committees, the council approved an amendment to the city’s defined benefit plan. The mayor said committee members had worked through the recommendation and provided the amendment documents in the meeting packet.

Appointments and housekeeping: The mayor recommended reappointment of three members to the planning commission (David McGee Jr., Donald Gonzales and Henry Wilhoit) for three‑year terms; the council acknowledged two vacancies on the board of zoning appeals and the mayor said he will continue outreach to potential appointees. Recorder Lisa Smith closed the meeting with announcements about Martin Luther King Day and trash pickup schedules before the council adjourned.