LOUISA MAYOR GIVES ROBUST SPEECH TO CITY COUNCIL ON THE CITY’S PAST YEAR DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC STRUGGLES, ITS PRESENT STATUS, AND THE RISING HOPE OF A BRIGHTER FUTURE AHEAD IN THE NEAR NOT TOO DISTANT TERMS FOR THE COMMUNITY.
AUDIT OF CITY’S 2020-21 FINANCES BY PAINTSVILLE FIRM GIVES BORDERLINE PERFECT GRADE OF BUDGET SPENDING AND MANAGEMENTS.
FEBRUARY 15, 2022 – written by WADE QUEEN
Louisa City Council
Regular Meeting
February 08, 2022–7:00pm
AGENDA
Call to order.
Mayor Slone State of the City Address.
Old Business
Approve minutes for January 11, 2022.
New Business
2020-2021 City of Louisa Audit, Jim Bryant
Council comments.
Audience comments.
Executive session.
Adjourn.
LOUISA, KY. — The Louisa City Council meeting that was held on Tuesday evening, February 8, went in a smoothing orderly fashion (minus the police chief hastily leaving halfway through the session to join up with the ‘Smokey & the Bandit style police chase, that then soon swung past city hall several minutes later).
The city council meeting lasted a little over 40 minutes, consisting nearly entirely of just two main items: the mayor’s yearly annual state of the city speech; and the yearly independent auditor’s report of the city’s financial statements for the yearly budget period of July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021.
Louisa Mayor Harold Slone just after start of the meeting, made a switcheroo up in the order of the agenda, as his state of the city speech was supposed to first, followed later on into the meeting, for which the audit report would be read to the city council by Jim Bryant, from the private agency of Wells & Company P.S.C. Certified Public Accountants, located in Paintsville, Kentucky.
Mayor Slone stated that he did not want to hold up Mr. Bryant for any unnecessary time, as he had driven up from Paintsville, and that it would be about at least 30 minutes before Jim Bryant could begin his audit report delivery speech to the city council.
Mr. Bryant spoke upon the key main observations from the audit report, for which itself was 49 pages in length.
SUMMARY OF OPENING STATEMENTS OF JIM BRYANT, FROM WELLS & COMPANY P.S.C. – ON THE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT ON THE CITY OF LOUISA, KENTUCKY’S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ENDING ON JUNE 30, 2021; PRESENTED TO MAYOR HAROLD SLONE, AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LOUISA, KENTUCKY ON FEBRUARY 8, 2022.
“We have audited the accompanying financial statements of the governmental activities, the business -type activities;, each major fund, and the accurate remaining fund information of the City of Louisa, Kentucky as of end for the year ended June 30, 2021, and the related notes to the financial statement which collectively comprise the City of Louisa, Kentucky’s basic financial statements as listed in the table of contents.”
“We believe that the audit evidence we have as a team is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinions”.
In our opinion the financial statements referring to the above present fairly, in all material respects, the respective financial position of the governmental activities, the business-type activities, each major fund, and the aggregate remaining fund information of the City of Louisa, Kentucky, as of June 30, 2021, in respective changes in the financial position, and, where applicable, cash flow thereof for the year ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in United States of America.
Our audit was conducted for the purpose of forming opinions on the financial statements that collectively comprise the City of Louisa, Kentucky’s basic financial statements. The schedule of operating expenses-proprietary funds is presented for purposes of additional analysis and is not a required part of the basic financial statements.
In accordance with Government Auditing Standards we have also issued a report dated February 8, 2022 on our consideration of the city of Louisa, Kentucky’s internal control over financial reporting in on our test of its compliance with certain provisions of laws, regulations, contracts, and grants agreements and other matters. The purpose of that report is solely to describe the scope of our testing of internal control over financial reporting and compliance and the results of that testing, and not to provide an opinion on the effectiveness of the city ofLouises internal control over financial reporting or on compliance. That report is an integral part of an audit performed in accordance with the Government Auditing Standards in considering the City of Louisa, Kentucky’s internal control over financial reporting in compliance.
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After the conclusion of auditor Bryant presentation to the city council, and then following the city council approving the minutes of the January 11, 2022 meeting; Mayor Harold Slone then read his prepared speech to the city council and the few attending audience.
Mayor Slone’s full speech ran a total of six (6) pages, which lasted around twenty-one (21) minutes, and was delivered to as the following:
“…Once again, it is an honor to stand before you as your Mayor and deliver the state of the city address. I want to personally thank each council member, employee, citizen, and civic organization who has contributed to our city this past year.”
“Seven years ago, I stood here as a newly elected Mayor, eager to learn and to lead a stagnant city in a new direction, and today, I will deliver the last State of the City address during my administration’s second term in office. By this time next year we will have once again passed through another election cycle and you will have chosen new leaders for all areas of local government. I am announcing today my desire to continue leading this great city and be part of our team as your Mayor, if the citizens so desire”.
“Let me take just a few moments to reflect on the historic nature of the last two years. Prior to becoming Mayor, I spent 7 years in Emergency Management, which has proven to be invaluable experience over the last two years. During my time in Emergency Management, much time was spent planning, preparing, and exercising for a pandemic, that honestly, I didn’t expect to see in my lifetime. Unfortunately, this time two years ago these words started becoming a reality for our country. As you all know, every, and I do mean every, aspect of normal life was affected. All of a sudden managing the city changed in every way. I felt I had some responsibility in protecting not only our employees and their families, but our businesses and citizens as well. During this time I made decisions based upon guidance from the federal and state agencies, including guidance from public health officials as well as applying my knowledge from previous years in emergency management. We took many precautions and transitioned in many ways to protect our folks while still maintaining services to our citizens”.
“Our critical facilities remained on lockdown for months to reduce exposure to our most essential workforce. I must admit, I never thought we would still be dealing with the remnants of Covid two years later, but I have had 4 employee’s out of the workforce in the last couple weeks, positive with Covid”.
“But folks, even through the Covid 19 battle, a 40 year historic ice storm and a 100 year historic flood, the determination and commitment of our teams, our services, and our city remain intact, and in many ways stronger, more resilient, and continuing to provide for you on a daily basis”.
“Last year our Police Department was involved in 1,334 incidents. This includes providing assistance to our residents and motorists, working automobile accidents and dealing with drug related crimes. We were able to transition Code and ABC Enforcement to the police department, and add another officer, filling some of the gaps in coverage we had been facing. The police department will take delivery of two new vehicles in the next few weeks giving us the most reliable and safest fleet in the city’s history”.
“During my second term as Mayor, our fire department, some of the most highly dedicated, motivated, and trained volunteers I know, has been a priority. Through state and federal grants, with some local match, we have equipped our firefighters with some of the newest, safest gear available today, including self contained breathing apparatus’ and protective clothing for their crews. A rescue truck was purchased to replace a much older one, which is widely used to respond to car accidents, both in the city as well the 5 mile outside the city fire district”.
“A much needed tanker apparatus, hauling 2,200 gallons of water, was put in service to respond to the more rural areas of our district and we added a new initial response vehicle”.
“Last year a new high capacity laundry device was installed to maintain this turnout gear providing for a safer and longer life for the equipment. Our fire department responded to 278 calls last year”.
“Our sanitation crews have continued to be successful, but taxed with the increase in solid waste during the pandemic. Due to actions implementing the dumpster maintenance fee and providing dumpsters free of charge for new customers, we’ve seen an increase in dumpster use. Our residential truck was replaced back in the fall giving much needed reliability on a daily basis and also being able to have an additional truck on hand for a spare, has already proven cost effective”.
“Our public utilities departments continue to see more and more demand as our city continues to grow. Our water plant has produced more than 488 million gallons of clean, safe, drinking water during 2021”.
“This water not only serves our homes and businesses throughout the city, but also many of our county residents either directly or through other providers who purchase from us. As our water plant nears the 20 year old mark, much of the technology and automation, as you can imagine, has become out of date and obsolete. That’s why we approved a half million dollar project for technology upgrades to the plant last year that’s now in full swing. These upgrades will provide our staff with technology to run our plant more efficiently, optimizing use of chemicals and manpower to keep our cost of production as low as possible. Once again the pandemic has slowed the process of these upgrades as getting electrical and computer components have been severely delayed”.
“I’m also proud to say that our administration has completed the largest utility rehab project in Louisa’s history. A $3.9 million dollar project on Lock Avenue has replaced nearly 100 year old sewer lines, removed abandoned and extremely old and faulty water lines, and installed a new storm drain system to approx 25% of the city. Construction in the area also led to new curbs, streets, and in many areas, new sidewalks”.
“This project has already prevented millions of gallons of rainwater from going into our sewer plant, extending the life of our dated facility. I don’t want to leave the subject of wastewater without saying this. I’m fully committed and more convinced than ever that the City of Louisa will build a new Wastewater Treatment Facility in the near future. Because of actions already taken by the City of Louisa Council, Lawrence County, and the State of Kentucky, engineering and design has already begun for a new facility with an initial award of $425,000 dollars of state and federal money”.
“Let me focus now on the future of our city, our employees and it’s citizens. In the very near future I will be presenting to you the 2022-23 budget proposal. Yes, around here we still believe in approving a budget and living by it throughout the year. This budget cycle should include some of the ARPA funds the city has or will receive as part of Covid relief. Here are some of the new items my budget proposal will include and I welcome you to submit to me any items you would like to see in the new budget”.
Public Utilities
“New utility management software, to finally provide our customers user friendly, modern customer service and payment ability. Such as user friendly online account management and bill pay, paperless billing, text to pay, Auto pay and Text before service disruption capabilities”.
“Software enhancement and gps equipment including gps mapping of all field assets including metering devices, pump stations, valves, etc”.
“Property and right of way acquisition for the new wastewater treatment facility, needed for the future growth of our city”.
Streets and Sidewalks
“Continue to repair and replace streets and curbs in areas of town that have either not had it during my administration or ones that need repair. Continue with the largest sidewalk rehab project including replacing old dilapidated sidewalks and adding some new to improve downtown walkability”.
“Continue a sidewalk project in the Meadowbrook Lane/644 area that will connect that Subdivision to the school complex”.
“Install and maintain Street Lights on Hwy 644 in the area of the hospital pending annexation. Replace old, dilapidated concrete and asphalt on Madison street in the area of Dee’s restaurant improving sight distance, parking, and streetscaping. Redo of concrete, around the city pool for improved aesthetics and safety. Install new Diving Boards and Slide at city pool”.
Tourism and Recreation
“Continue improvements to parks with new landscaping, trees and benches. Plans already prepared”.
“Continue the riverwalk project which has finally finished the environmental phase and is about to enter the right of way phase.
“Complete Pending project of outdoor restrooms at Lockview Park”.
“Start the project of an amphitheater at the designated area”.
“Support and Partner with private organizations to replace and install nostalgic signs downtown to further increase the interest in our downtown area”.
Administration
Contract for the survey to begin the annexation project should council go forward with that”.
“Continue with plans to rehab the existing fire station and the addition of an annex to connect with city hall. This would give our fire, police, and citizens the facility they deserve to serve our city”.
“Let me end here and say that seven years ago I pledged to govern not just for the day but for the future and I believe I have done that.. I have seen more renewed interest and growth in our city in the last 5 years than anytime in my lifetime and I believe if there was ever time to say “Our city is on the Move” it’s now. Our city is financially stable, providing efficient and effective services for our citizens, and becoming a place people wanna live and work”.
“Thank you and all the employees at the city for your hard work and dedication”.
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After the conclusion of Mayor Slone’s speech, with only councilman Tom Parsons speaking during the council comment section of the meeting, in regards to some problems reported on Adams Street, and no one speaking up for audience comments, and no need for an closed door executive session according to city attorney Eldred “Bud” Adams, Mayor Harold Slone adjourned the city council meeting at 7:45 P.M.
(EDITOR’S NOTE — We apologize for the lateness of this story but we have a full video that we can’t get loaded and we were waiting for that — still haven’t figured it out)
