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By Palmer McNeal

Staff Intern

 

The Wilmore City Council meeting on Monday, June 17 focused on the second reading of the 2024-2025 fiscal year budget. The council also heard the first readings of four new ordinances, and reports from city staff members. 

 

Ordinances

The council approved the following ordinances on their second reading: 

• Ordinance 2024-1: An ordinance prohibiting all cannabis operations in the City of Wilmore 
• Ordinance 2024-2: The amended 2024 budget, with small changes in individual categories of the budget. 
• Ordinance 2024-3: The proposed budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal period from July 1st, 2024 through July 1st, 2025. 
• Resolution 2024-5: Second reading to authorize Mayor Harold Rainwater to sign the Municipal Aid Co-op Contract. 

According to Wilmore’s Financial Director, Lori Vahle, The 2024-2025 budget includes funds to cover several landscaping projects in the town, including a pickleball court. The budget also includes a 4% raise to all Wilmore city employees. 

 

New Ordinances: 

The Council heard the first reading of several four new Ordinances: 

• Ordinance 2024-4: Ordinance to increase water sewer rates by 2%. 
• Ordinance 2024-5: Ordinance to increase High Bridge Water rates by 2%. 
• Ordinance 2024-6: Ordinance to increase Southeast County Water Rates by 2%.
• RR&E Request for Water Treatment Plant Project 

 

After hearing the readings of these ordinances, the council moved on to reports and updates from staff. 

 

Director of community development Judy Woolums announced reminders of upcoming events, and recognized the Main Street Motor Show that occurred this past weekend. 

The Council invited the event’s coordinator to speak about the event. The Motor Show was planned and carried out by local store owner, Dalton Cox. Cox is the owner of Gold Flame Diecast, a Hotwheel store on Main Street. The motor show was put on to raise funds for Braxton Miller, an 11-year-old from Lexington. 

 

Miller is fighting an eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa, a disease that breaks down cells in the retina, and will cause complete blindness. The goal of the motor show was to raise enough money to send Braxton and his family to the Hot Wheels factory in Los Angeles, California. The motor show raised $18,000, which according to Cox, will be enough for the trip. The Mainstreet Motor show was a huge success, with over 50 cars participating. Due to the success of the event, Cox is hoping to host another motor show in Wilmore soon. 

 

Charla Reed, the executive director of Nicholasville, Wilmore, Jessamine County Joint Tourism Commission gave an update on tourism projects happening in Jessamine County. She announced that they are looking to paint a mural in downtown Wilmore, similar to the ones in downtown Nicholasville. Reed also announced the new logo for the county, and several updates to the website. These updates include new photos and videos highlighting the county. 

 

The chief of the Wilmore Fire Department, Jimmy Powers, reported on the upcoming anniversary of the department. This year, the Wilmore Fire Department will be celebrating their 100th anniversary. They are in the process of planning a celebration for the town. 

 

The director of parks and recreation, Amy Fitch, reminded the council of the annual Fourth of July Celebration. The celebration will be held on Thursday, July 4 with a parade and the 35th annual festival. The parade will follow the original route, starting on Kinlaw Drive. 

 

Following these announcements and updates, the floor was opened for citizen concerns. Several concerns were voiced regarding the sidewalks and roads on Main Street. In regards to these concerns, Mayor Rainwater announced that the city is working on funds to hire a firm to design a plan including sidewalks and lighting fixtures to improve Main Street.