The Middlesboro City Council officially kept the tax rates for real and personal property at the same rate as last year during their regular meeting on Tuesday evening.

They approved the second readings of the ordinances setting the Ad Valorem tax levies for real and personal property for the 2024-25 fiscal year. Tax rates set by the council are 23.20 cents per $100 of assessed value on personal property and 6.90 cents per $100 of assessed value on real property.

The council unanimously voted no to a request from Fire Chief Robbie England to create the position of Administrative Fire Captain.

“We’ve been talking about this position for a little while, but I’ve been putting it off,” England said. “I was offered by the previous administration (to add) this position three years ago and at that time I didn’t feel like I needed it.”

England said he needed help in keeping up with the day-to-day operations and paperwork.

“All of the things that we’re held accountable to through the government for Medicaid and Medicare, the Fire Commission and KBEMS,” he said. “It’s a lot of paperwork that has to be kept up, hours have to be turned in and it all has to be accurate and correct.”

He added that the department has grown in run volume to the point it warrants another administrative position.

“The department will be more efficient, we’ll be more accountable and if somebody comes in needing something it would be more accessible for them,” England said.

He said the position would be filled by an EMT/Firefighter who would be available to respond to calls during the day. While it would be an added expense with a new salary, the added position would help reduce the amount of overtime in the department to help offset some of that cost.

Councilman Lucas Carter asked what the salary would be for the new position and England estimated it would be around $49,000 or $50,000 per year based on what a shift commander makes at the Police Department.

Council member Glynna Brown said she didn’t understand that adding the position would mean adding a new salary to the department when the matter was discussed in a committee meeting.

Carter said he wanted to be cautious in adding a new expense.

“It’s still a sore subject for a lot of people that we raised the occupational tax and we’re still getting a lot of heat on that,” he said. “I understand that and we’ve spent a lot of money buying new vehicles and other things. I just want to make sure this is something that we can afford to do.”

England said the department was growing in the number of calls it responds to and needs more people as it grows.

“I just feel like if I had somebody 40 hours a week to help me with this, working hand-in-hand and side-by-side with me, we would be a more efficient department,” he said.

Brown also asked if creating the new position was in any way related to reopening Station No. 2 on West Cumberland Avenue across from the hospital.

England said he has asked for funding to get that building ready in this year’s budget. The new administrative chief was not related to No. 2 but one additional person would need to be added to each shift so that seven could man the main station and two could man No. 2.

During a roll call vote on creating the new position the consensus among the council members was that the position was needed but funding for it was not available at this time.

“I’m going to vote no for the time being on this,” Brown said. “I’m not saying that I’m not for this at another point in time, but I think we’ve got some other financial issues that we need to handle. I know the chief needs help and I know how paperwork is but I’m not sure I can support this at this moment.”

Carter echoed Brown’s sentiments. “I really do appreciate the chief, I think he works hard for the city and does a lot outside of his scope of duties. Right now I have to vote no when our other departments are not getting a raise,” he said.

Judy Grandey also voted no “with the option of revisiting this.”

Tommy Joe Mike said he felt the same way. “I think this is something that we can come back to, but at the moment I have to vote no.”

Terry Poore also voted no at this point.

Dawn Risner voted no as well.
“I’d like to see that position and the cost and everything in next year’s budget,” she said. “Right now we have a set budget and I’m just not sure how putting a new position in there is going to affect everything across the board.”

Jade Robertson also voted no. “I do think it’s a position that needs to be filled in the future, but I think we should focus on hiring to get fully staffed for Station 1 and Station 2, then implementing this position so they can act as a ‘chief’ for Station 2,” she said.

Bill Smith said he was inclined to vote yes. “We definitely don’t want the fire department to get into a position where paperwork is overloading them,” he said. “I’m going to say no with the option of putting this back into the system at a later date. . . we need to address it in the near future.”

Councilman Brad Cawood was not present at Tuesday’s meeting.

The council also approved two resolutions related to updated applications for Cleaner Water Grants 21 (CWS 133 and CWS 134). Funding for the grants would come from appropriated funds for infrastructure projects in House Bill I of the 2022 Regular Session of the Kentucky General Assembly for the Cleaner Water Program.

Mayor Boone Bowling opened the meeting by observing a moment of silence in honor of Erika Griffin, one of the city’s accounts payable clerks, who passed away unexpectedly over the weekend.

“Erika was not only a valued member of the City of Middlesboro team but also a beloved friend to many in our community. Erika joined our office a short time ago, but fluently fit right in to not just be a part of our work team but to become an immediate part of the family to everyone in our office,” Bowling shared on the city’s Facebook page. “She brought with her a remarkable work ethic, a willingness to learn, and a warm smile that could brighten any room. She was committed to her role in our clerk’s office and always so willing to help fill any gap without hesitation. Erika’s contributions to our city and her positive spirit will be deeply missed. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Erika’s husband Daniel, family, friends, and all who had the pleasure of knowing her. As we navigate this difficult time, we ask for your support and understanding.”

Bowling shared that visitation for the Griffin family will be Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. with the funeral service at 8 p.m. at Green Hills Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday at Green Hills Memorial Gardens.