The first reading of the budget for the upcoming fiscal year was performed and accepted by the Harlan City Council during a special called meeting Tuesday.
The council convened to hear the first budget reading and to consider a municipal aid resolution.
Mayor Danny Howard advised the panel there should be little need for change in next year’s budget.
“After the budget committee met, we decided after looking at our budget and making the cuts that we needed to do to prevent having layoffs, we felt with our carry over and austerity measures this year, we could do the budget the way it is,” said Howard. “I’ve already met with the department heads and explained to them not to hire anyone else.”
Howard explained expenditures had to be kept down in order to avoid layoffs.
“In order to prevent layoffs… it’s going to be left up to us to do that,” said Howard. “I think that we can. I’ll be bringing some stuff before you and I’ll let you know as we go along, but I think we can come in with a balanced budget.”
Howard entertained a motion to approve the first reading of the budget. The council passed the motion unanimously.
The council then moved on to the only other item on the agenda, a municipal aid resolution.
“This is a resolution adopted and approving the execution of a municipal aid co-op program contract between the incorporated city, the Commonwealth of Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the Department of Rural and Municipal Aid for the fiscal year beginning on July 1, as provided in the Kentucky Revised Statute,” said Howard.
Howard advised the resolution concerned all streets deemed to be part of the city. Howard then read the resolution aloud to the panel.
“Be it resolved the legislative body of the incorporated city that the legislative body of the incorporated city does hereby accept all streets referred to in said contract as being city streets,” read Howard.
A motion was made and passed accepting the municipal aid agreement.
The meeting was then adjourned.
Reach Joe P. Asher at 606-573-4510, ext. 113, jasher@civitasmedia.com
















