Park Board to re-visit restaurant tax at next month's council meeting

 Last month, members of the LaRue County Park and Recreation Board asked Hodgenville City Council to consider a 2 percent restaurant tax to provide sustainable funding for local youth sports programs and fields.

The matter did not make it to a vote.

The Park Board asked to be on Monday’s city council agenda but did not re-visit the tax.

Board President Eric DeVary asked if the group could return to the May meeting; city council agreed.

DeVary said the Park Board had not been able to meet and further discuss finances as planned due to recent inclement weather. 

“We understand the city has more pressing things to deal with (with the recent tornado),” DeVary said.

He invited the council members to attend the Park Board meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

“We’re open to any ideas, thoughts … that haven’t already been expressed,” he said, adding that the group will not pursue a county-wide tax.

Last month, the Park Board expressed concerns with aging equipment and facilities and a desire to add parking spots and handicap-accessible restrooms.

Councilman Kenny DeVore asked if the Board had checked into a Kaboom grant for playgrounds. DeVary replied that they had; however, the grant requires cash up front, something that is in short supply for the Board.

DeVary said the Board has received $25,000 from the county for the year, but improvements and repairs have been and the Board has less than $3,000 to operate on for the rest of the year.  

If you are interested in working with the Park and Recreation Board, contact DeVary at 358-8386.

In other business:

• Hodgenville Mayor Terry Cruse said the faulty sewer line in Hamilton Acres has been repaired and an overflow line added. 

A company has been running a camera through sewer lines all week so they can locate “the worst areas and get them repaired,” Cruse said.

The city’s emergency generator, purchased through a $200,000 FEMA grant, is ready for final inspection. It can be used to power City Hall during times of electrical outages.

• Hodgenville Fire Chief Wally Sparks gave the monthly fire run report: False alarm at a local bank; report of smoke in an apartment on Rose Circle that turned out to be a bag of popcorn in a microwave; transfer of an injured patient from Woebegona Way immediately after the Feb. 29 tornado; and numerous hours worked at the storm-damaged areas.

• Hodgenville Police Chief Steve Johnson said the City has received a $500 grant through the Governor’s Highway Safety Department for the Clickit or Ticket Program in May. The grant will pay for overtime for officers to enforce seatbelt laws.