Beech Tree News Network

Morgantown City Council met on Thursday, January 8th at city hall for their regular-scheduled meeting. New business was conducted following yearly reports from many departments.

New Business

Ordinance 26-01 Adopting an Investment Policy. The city learned after a discussion with KLC regarding placing money set aside for fire trucks in a CD to earn more interest, that they did not have an investment policy in place. This policy states the objectives of being safe with the money and looking at return of investments and lists the mayor and city clerk as designated officers. The policy is in compliance with KRS 66.480. and requires all FDIC and security measures. This would open the door for the city to open additional CDs. Motion made and accepted.

Tourism

During the year 2025, tourism partnered with the Morgantown-Butler County Chamber of Commerce as a sponsor for both the Green River Catfish Festival and Battle Under the Bridge Tractor Pull. They also partnered with the city to co-sponsor the Holiday Hoopla.

Bowling Green Area Chamber

Senior Director for regional economic development chamber, David Fultz, reported that in 2025 the city of Morgantown saw the grand opening of Aerospace Composites, had 13 targeted businesses that are available for state incentive funds, and 13 businesses with around 1,100 full-time employees. On the real estate side, they were able to put avenues in place for revenue growth, which will lead to future development. They were also able to leverage grant funds to continue to grow and improve infrastructure within the Industrial Park. In 2026, they anticipate leveraging more grant funds. At the end of 2025 and start of 2026, there are 6 projects looking to come to Morgantown, which would bring significant job growth and capital investment to the community.

Planning and Zoning

It was reported in 2025 that all commissioners completed the required CEU training, Rick Scott retired after many years of service, and Jeff Chaney was appointed to fill the position. During the year, 3 ordinances were updated and amended, issued 1 conditional use permit, and conducted 7 zoning change inquiries – which did not require hearings. They also reviewed the 18 permits from 2025, conducted 1 zoning change hearing, and reviewed site plans for Aerospace Composites, Casey’s, and Dollar Store. In 2026, they plan to review all permits and requests, conduct all zoning change request hearings, complete all CEU training hours required. The commission is in the process of updating ordinances and establishing new ordinances.

Utilities

The department saw their services expand in 2025 with water, sewer, and gas taps. There are currently 15 full-time employees and their current combined budget for the fiscal year is around $2.5 million. They are working to get more gas lines laid and updates made on the sewer plants.

Housing

Jackie Lloyd, Executive Director, reported they are currently at 91% occupancy with 17 vacant units. There are 34 people on the waiting list, of which 15 are for one bedroom units. Work is still being conducted on the storm drainage project at Huff Ingram, as it was a later start than expected. Melanie Givens, Finance Coordinator, completed the certified financial specialist through the National Center of Housing Managers. All employees, other than maintenance technicians are certified in their positions. The maintenance technicians all have certifications in different specialty areas. In February, 3 members of the board are attending a conference for training.

Animal Control

Since starting in October, the main focus is trap - neuter - release of cats and dogs that are nuisances on properties. They have had multiple missing animals returned safely to their owners. They are beginning to use motion censored game cameras and sprinklers to deter nuisance animals from properties. 

MOGO Transit

In December, there were 1,269 riders and 673 meals delivered.

Code Enforcement

In 2025, Bobby McKee stepped down as code enforcement officer, with Dustin Embry taking his place. There were 87 cases opened addressing property maintenance, zone compliance, and related violations. Of those, 78 cases were successfully resolved and closed reflecting voluntary compliance and corrective action. There were 27 citations issued where compliance was not achieved. 2 liens were placed on properties as enforcement measures to protect public safety. At the close of 2025, there are 15 open cases, which include active investigations that will carry into 2026. Professional development remained a priority with over 40 hours of continued education completed in code enforcement, planning and zoning, and alcoholic beverage control. 

Board of Adjustments

There were no cases to review in 2025 and all training needed was completed. One board member stepped down, with a new member appointed. 

Fire Department

During 2025, the fire department responded to 160 total emergency runs.

Police Department

During 2025, the police department made 156 arrests and worked 114 special details. There were 202 calls where alcohol was present, answered 1,822 calls by phone direct, and made 22 mental health transports to Bowling Green. They opened 39 felony cases, of which 4 were categorized as major crimes, some of which are scheduled for trial in 2026.

City Clerk

In 2025, the city and many other departments successfully executed many community events. These include the 2nd Annual Hispanic Heritage and Mayor’s Monster Mash and the 5th Annual Holiday Hoopla. They completed and submitted the close-out documents for the boat dock grant and farmers market grant. Required reporting was continued for previous closed grants. The city continues to coordinate with the state on the TAP grant. The city has facilitated 3 facade grants with local businesses and 2 businesses are still going through the entrepreneur grant. The city processed and orientated 50 summer employees, published the 4th edition of the M Magazine, and concluded the fiscal year 24 audit. Allie Lee, City Clerk, and Kersie Sharp, Assistant Clerk, became Certified Kentucky Municipal Clerks while Dana Phelps, Tax Clerk, attended academy to work toward her Master Municipal Clerk certificate. In 2026, they anticipate preparing the budget, event planning, acquiring more grants, and completing more professional development. 

Mayor’s Report

 It was reported that the Morgantown Fire Department is now being staffed around 2-4 days a week. Volunteers are staffing the department during the day in the event services are needed. 2 employees with the city are also there Monday - Friday, able to take calls within the city. Luke Mooneyhan was acting fire chief, in the absence of the previous chief. Dustin Emery, EMT was elected by the fire department as chief. Lawson White, Animal Control Officer and member of the fire department, is completing EMT classes. Once completed, there will be 2 EMTs that work in city hall that will be able to go on all emergency medical calls and structure fires in the city, and be available for house fires in the county, if requested. Work has been conducted with another city to have a ladder truck donated to the city of Morgantown.