Following much discussion, Hopkinsville City Council approved a municipal order concerning a vaccine incentive program that would put money in the hands of those who get the vaccine.
There were five individuals who spoke during public comments, and all were either against the incentive program or had concerns about implementing it. JR Knight told council he’s lost family to this virus, but that doesn’t change that he feels the vaccine should be a personal choice.
The program would specifically give $100 to the next 1,000 Hopkinsville residents who get the shot, along with the chance for ten people to win $1,000. Councilmember Chuck Crabtree says he wants to see consistency in the city—he says the city often promotes large events even while urging caution about COVID-19.
Several councilmembers agreed that getting the vaccine should be a personal choice, with Tom Johnson saying the incentive shouldn’t come from taxpayer dollars. The $110,000 for the program would be funded by COVID relief funding from the American Rescue Plan. A motion to refer the order back to the Committee of the Whole failed on a tied vote, with Mayor Wendell Lynch casting that tie-breaking vote.
Councilman Steve Keel says he had been told earlier in August that current vaccine marketing plans aren’t working, but now knowing what the budgets for that marketing is and knowing that Christian County Fiscal Court is currently not partnered on the plan, he thinks the money could be better used elsewhere.
It was once again a 6-to-6 tie vote, with the mayor casting the tie-breaking ‘yes’ vote to pass the municipal order creating the COVID-19 vaccine incentive program. The no votes were members Keel, Jason Bell, Crabtree, Travis Martin, Terry Parker and Tom Johnson. The program would be effect between September 13 and October 31.
In other action, City Council approved on second-reading the increase to the Hopkinsville Solid Waste commercial collection rates, which will increase residential rates by $3.41, apartments by $10.13 to a flat rate of $25, while economy rates will have a gradual $4.37 increase to the rate beginning in fiscal year 2022. The increase for residential and apartments is set to begin this year. Councilmembers Alethea West and Chuck Crabtree once again voted no against the ordinance.