By GAGE WILSON
For Glasgow News 1
The Cave City Council’s June meeting, held Monday, June 9, took members through a litany of agenda items—including two budget-related first readings, a closed session, updates on the city’s Boys and Girls Club project, and the finalization of new surveillance technology for the city’s police department.
With all members present, Mayor Dwayne Hatcher called the meeting to order at 5 p.m.
Discussion began with an amended 2024–25 budget. “The budget should be amended to show total resources available for appropriations,” explained city attorney Bobby Richardson. He went on to outline the appropriations previously authorized by the council that differed from the original budget.
Due to technical issues, some council members were unable to fully review the revisions. “There have been a few changes as we continue to work on it,” said Hatcher, who recommended the city’s budget committee meet before July 1 to review the amended items. The council then accepted the first reading.
The meeting then moved to the first reading of the 2025–26 budget, which prompted several questions — primarily from Councilwoman Leticia Cline.
“Community enhancement is down $11,000 from last year?” she asked.
“We did a little adjusting,” Hatcher replied. “We dropped some figures on a few things. And believe me, I wanted to keep that…, we took about $10,000 off to put into other areas.”
Cline also pointed out a $12,000 dip in fuel expenses. City Clerk Bonita Hendren responded, “For some reason, we had some officers leave who were using more gas, and that just helped it.” Councilman Brandon Wright added that the department’s new Enterprise vehicles are more fuel-efficient.
Finally, Cline questioned a $631,000 increase in the budget’s total general expense. Hatcher attributed the spike to the city’s Boys and Girls Club project. “One thing to keep in mind is we have to put our $750,000 CDBG grant in there,” he said. “Hopefully, we’ll start spending that this fiscal year.”
The council accepted the first reading and scheduled a special-called meeting for June 16 to conduct the second.
Hatcher invited BRADD representative Matt Pedigo to provide an update on the Boys and Girls Club grant. “As slow as it seems, there is some good news,” Pedigo said. “The plans have been submitted to the Department of Housing, Building and Construction for approval. Once we receive that, it’s just a matter of a few more documents before we can request the release of funding and go to bid.”
Should bids come back over budget, Pedigo shared that the city could apply for up to $250,000 in additional funding through a new Department of Local Government program aimed at 2020–22 projects impacted by rising construction costs. Wright asked if the city would need to match those funds. Pedigo confirmed it would not.
When asked how much longer the process might take, Pedigo said his optimistic estimate was that bids could return by late summer or early fall. Hatcher thanked him for his dedication.
“This project is near and dear to my heart,” Pedigo said. “I want to see it fly.”
The council then entered closed session to discuss real estate matters. Upon returning to open session, members approved an amendment to the city’s contract with Balance Distilling Company. The amendment requires the business — which plans to open a location in Cave City — to submit a $7,500 down payment. The measure passed unanimously.
The council also revisited the long-discussed upgrades to the police department’s equipment. Council members had previously delayed a decision while awaiting potential grant money through Congressman Brett Guthrie’s office, which Hatcher said would not be awarded. “They thought they had a loophole where they could get it in for us this year…, but that didn’t work out.”
Officer Grant Avery then presented two five-year contract options from Motorola. He noted that the company is anticipating “tariff issues” beginning around June 27 and advised that the council act before then.
The first contract includes eight body cameras, six dash cams, and four vehicle-mounted license plate readers, totaling $162,997. The second, limited to the eight body cameras, would cost around $33,000. After discussion and with endorsement from officers present, the council approved the full package.
According to Avery, at the end of the contract term, the city may either continue using the equipment by paying for service or enter into a new agreement to potentially receive upgraded gear. Once finalized, the equipment is expected to arrive within four to six weeks.
With no further business, the council voted to adjourn, with plans to reconvene Monday, June 16, for the second reading of the city’s budget.
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