Work continues toward approving a city budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year, and Hopkinsville Mayor J.R. Knight says the budget will either be voted on or further amended at the upcoming City Council meeting.
The budget was approved on first-reading at the council’s June 3 meeting. The proposed $56.9 million budget includes a 3% wage increase for city employees, insurance increases, no tax raises and the creation of the Hoptown Helps Program to support nonprofits.
Knight says the budget will be voted on at Tuesday’s council meeting and if it is not approved then they will have to host a special called meeting to approve the budget ahead of the July 1 deadline.
Knight also credited the council members for playing a key role in crafting this year’s budget.
On Monday, the city announced that Cory Alexander was selected to serves as the new administrative budget officer and Knight shared that he is filling the position formerly held by Gary Ruebush.
Alexander is a Hopkins County native, a graduate of Western Kentucky University and brings over 25 years of experience in city finance and accounting to his role. He appeared on the Here in Hoptown podcast on June 12 and shared that he is no stranger to Hopkinsville. Alexander says he has traveled to Hopkinsville many times throughout his life and worked in the city with an accounting firm.
In his position, Alexander is responsible for overseeing the city’s departmental budgeting and financial planning.