Christian Fiscal Court on Tuesday morning heard about 90 minutes of public comments regarding its proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year—specifically regarding cuts to the Human Rights Commission and public library.
The budget that passed last month doesn’t allot any funds for the Human Rights Commission, while the current fiscal year’s spending plan funds the agency with $30,000.
HRC Executive Director Idalia Luna was among numerous people speaking on behalf of her agency, saying they serve people who often lack the resources to advocate on their own behalf when it comes to housing or employment issues and she believes defunding them would send a poor message to those citizens of Christian County.
After the meeting, Judge-Executive Jerry Gilliam said he and the Budget Committee determined there was no ordinance that obligated the county to fund the Human Rights Commission, which has been co-funded by the City of Hopkinsville.
Regarding whether the county could take a second look at being a part of the HRC, Judge Gilliam says it’s up to the community.
The proposed budget that will be heard on final reading June 27 would also cut the public library’s allocation by $96,000. Francine Gilmer is the executive director of the Christian County Literacy Council and says that facility is a crucial part of a community that values education.
Regarding the library, Judge Gilliam points to $1.5 million in reserves they currently have and says the county is committed to maintaining current programming in the future after they spend some of those savings this year.
In other action, court approved 8-year property tax rebate incentive packages for MB Roland and Casey Jones distilleries for improvements and a 20-year program for MDM Med Properties—the group constructing the Crusty Pig restaurant on East Seventh Street. Magistrates Mageline Ferguson, Josh Turner, George Barnett and J.E. Pryor voted against the MDM incentive because of the 20-year length, with Judge Gilliam breaking a 4-4 tie with a vote in favor.