Corbin City Commission talks tax rates, community events
Sep. 19—CORBIN — At the most recent Corbin City Commission meeting Monday, a range of issues was discussed from tax rates to community events and public safety concerns.
The commission first addressed the upcoming property tax rates for 2024. The first reading of Ordinance 2024-7 set the motor vehicle tax rate for 2025 at 24.23 cents per $100 of property value. This rate has remained unchanged since 1993 and includes designated funds for the general expense fund (15.51 cents), the police and firefighter pension fund (7.27 cents), and the library fund (1.45 cents) for every $100 in taxable value.
In addition to the motor vehicle tax, the board discussed real property and tangible personal property tax rates for the upcoming year. Based on calculations from the Kentucky Department of Local Government, the compensating tax rate for real property would be 28.2 cents per $100 of property value, while the rate for tangible personal property would be set at 30.72 cents.
These rates represent a decrease from last year's rates of 0.3010 and 0.3147, respectively. The commission chose to adopt the compensating rate, which is intended to generate the same revenue as the previous year as calculated by the state, ensuring no significant tax increase for residents. However a rate decrease typically signifies an increase in property valuation.
The ordinance to approve these tax rates was to be read in the next session, expected Wednesday evening.
In personnel news, the commission accepted the resignations of two police officers: Gorman Patrick and Kenny Profit.
Public safety also emerged as a significant concern during the meeting. In last month's meeting, an issue was raised about speeding near local schools, particularly along South Kentucky Avenue.
The commission approved lowering the speed limit to 15 miles per hour in this area, especially during school hours, in an effort to enhance safety for students and residents. The city plans to move forward with creating an ordinance, which will then need to be approved by the board of commissioners.
The topic of community safety continued with a resident expressing concerns about security in Corbin. The guest referenced the mass attack on I-75 in northern Laurel County Sept. 7 and general safety, advocating for more proactive security measures in public spaces.
The resident also suggested installing metal detectors in city buildings and heightened security at community events to prevent potential threats. The commission acknowledged the concerns and indicated that they would discuss these issues further in future meetings.
Another public complaint involved the growing number of junk cars on residential properties. A resident highlighted a specific neighborhood where multiple unlicensed and uninsured vehicles are cluttering streets and yards. The commission reminded the public of city ordinances allowing only one unlicensed vehicle per property, provided it is stored in a garage. The commission committed to investigating the issue and ensuring the ordinance is enforced to maintain the appearance and safety of local neighborhoods.
The meeting also included announcements about upcoming community events. Octoberfest is scheduled for October 12 and will take place downtown, featuring a variety of vendors and activities.
A Witch's Walk, where local women are invited to dress as witches and enjoy drink specials and small plates from participating bars and restaurants, is planned for October 24.
Downtown trick-or-treating will also take place on Halloween from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. with city trick-or-treating continuing from 6 to 8 p.m.
In a positive gesture of community support, local resident Ron Freeman was thanked for donating a high-quality mower to the city. The mower — valued at around $3,400 — will be put to use for various municipal maintenance projects, helping to keep city properties well-maintained.
The meeting concluded after discussing several other routine matters, including the authorization to renew a $300,000 line of credit with Hometown Bank, which serves as a contingency fund for the city, and approving a contract with the Cumberland Valley Area Development District to administer grant funds for kitchen renovations at the Senior Citizen Center.
