Richmond City Commission adopts FY2027 budget, approves annexations and incentives to address blight
June 24, 2026 | Richmond City, Madison County, Kentucky
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The Richmond City Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on second readings and orders at a regular meeting, adopting the city’s fiscal year 2027 budget and approving a series of annexations, personnel actions and development measures intended to support redevelopment and finish capital projects.
The board adopted Ordinance 26-23, the FY2027 budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026 and ending June 30, 2027, after a staff review and a follow-up discussion with department heads. City Manager (name not provided) said commissioners and staff “had a very productive discussion” during recent work sessions; the clerk was directed to publish the ordinance as required by KRS 424.240. The transcript reading of fund totals contains several garbled numerals; the ordinance was adopted as presented and the clerk will publish the full budget document for public review.
The commission also approved two annexation ordinances on second reading. Ordinance 26-20 expresses the city’s intent to annex 217 Pleasure Drive (Hillrest subdivision, lot 27) and refers the property to the Richmond Planning and Zoning Commission under chapter 81A of the Kentucky Revised Statutes for a zoning recommendation. Ordinance 26-21 covers voluntary annexation of 223 Pleasure Drive and 611 Benjamin Drive and likewise was referred to Planning and Zoning; both ordinances passed with the four voting members present (Commissioners Newbie, Brewer, Cole and Mayor Ble).
To encourage redevelopment of properties with outstanding code enforcement liens, the board adopted Ordinance 26-22, which creates a code-enforcement lien rebate program. The ordinance authorizes the city to enter written agreements with purchasers who buy properties subject to liens; participants must complete agreed rehabilitation work within an 18-month period and request verification from the city. If the commission approves compliance, a rebate of the lien amount must be issued within 30 days of that approval. The City Attorney summarized the program and the mayor and commissioners discussed inspection protocols and ongoing compliance checks.
The board authorized several administrative orders, including employee promotions in the fire department (Order 26-94), job-description and pay-grade updates across departments (Order 26-95), a police-department reclassification (Order 26-96), the acceptance of a parks resignation (Order 26-97), a water-treatment agreement for the White Hall historic site (Order 26-98), and the hire of a new firefighter (Order 26-99). Order 26-100 provided a 4% pension increase for a single pensioner governed by an earlier ordinance; the increase will be paid from property-tax revenue set aside for the police and fire pension fund and additional general-fund transfers if needed.
On capital projects, the commission approved Order 26-101, authorizing two change orders for the Richmond Regional Sports Complex. The first change-package revisions cover adjustments to disc-golf and mountain-bike trails, added flag poles, netting revisions for soccer fields and sidewalk and pavilion changes; the transcript lists a cost figure of about $1,908,152.65 for the related proposals. The second change order for the mountain-bike package adds two modular steel bridges at a cost of $36,146; the mayor said many items were added after on-site walks and that the changes would help finish loose ends as the complex nears its planned opening.
During the public-comment period an unnamed resident urged the commission to consider a moratorium on data centers, saying local governments in other areas have taken that step and that, with the General Assembly not in session, local discussion is needed now. No formal action or referral followed from that comment.
Chief of Police (name not provided) described representing Richmond and escorting Kentucky Special Olympics athletes during national games and receiving a commemorative torch; commissioners praised the department’s community engagement and training programs.
What’s next: The commission adopted all presented ordinances and orders at this meeting; several items (notably the annexations) were referred to the Richmond Planning and Zoning Commission for zoning recommendations and the city clerk will publish the adopted budget and ordinances as required by law.
The board adopted Ordinance 26-23, the FY2027 budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026 and ending June 30, 2027, after a staff review and a follow-up discussion with department heads. City Manager (name not provided) said commissioners and staff “had a very productive discussion” during recent work sessions; the clerk was directed to publish the ordinance as required by KRS 424.240. The transcript reading of fund totals contains several garbled numerals; the ordinance was adopted as presented and the clerk will publish the full budget document for public review.
The commission also approved two annexation ordinances on second reading. Ordinance 26-20 expresses the city’s intent to annex 217 Pleasure Drive (Hillrest subdivision, lot 27) and refers the property to the Richmond Planning and Zoning Commission under chapter 81A of the Kentucky Revised Statutes for a zoning recommendation. Ordinance 26-21 covers voluntary annexation of 223 Pleasure Drive and 611 Benjamin Drive and likewise was referred to Planning and Zoning; both ordinances passed with the four voting members present (Commissioners Newbie, Brewer, Cole and Mayor Ble).
To encourage redevelopment of properties with outstanding code enforcement liens, the board adopted Ordinance 26-22, which creates a code-enforcement lien rebate program. The ordinance authorizes the city to enter written agreements with purchasers who buy properties subject to liens; participants must complete agreed rehabilitation work within an 18-month period and request verification from the city. If the commission approves compliance, a rebate of the lien amount must be issued within 30 days of that approval. The City Attorney summarized the program and the mayor and commissioners discussed inspection protocols and ongoing compliance checks.
The board authorized several administrative orders, including employee promotions in the fire department (Order 26-94), job-description and pay-grade updates across departments (Order 26-95), a police-department reclassification (Order 26-96), the acceptance of a parks resignation (Order 26-97), a water-treatment agreement for the White Hall historic site (Order 26-98), and the hire of a new firefighter (Order 26-99). Order 26-100 provided a 4% pension increase for a single pensioner governed by an earlier ordinance; the increase will be paid from property-tax revenue set aside for the police and fire pension fund and additional general-fund transfers if needed.
On capital projects, the commission approved Order 26-101, authorizing two change orders for the Richmond Regional Sports Complex. The first change-package revisions cover adjustments to disc-golf and mountain-bike trails, added flag poles, netting revisions for soccer fields and sidewalk and pavilion changes; the transcript lists a cost figure of about $1,908,152.65 for the related proposals. The second change order for the mountain-bike package adds two modular steel bridges at a cost of $36,146; the mayor said many items were added after on-site walks and that the changes would help finish loose ends as the complex nears its planned opening.
During the public-comment period an unnamed resident urged the commission to consider a moratorium on data centers, saying local governments in other areas have taken that step and that, with the General Assembly not in session, local discussion is needed now. No formal action or referral followed from that comment.
Chief of Police (name not provided) described representing Richmond and escorting Kentucky Special Olympics athletes during national games and receiving a commemorative torch; commissioners praised the department’s community engagement and training programs.
What’s next: The commission adopted all presented ordinances and orders at this meeting; several items (notably the annexations) were referred to the Richmond Planning and Zoning Commission for zoning recommendations and the city clerk will publish the adopted budget and ordinances as required by law.
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