By GAGE WILSON
for Glasgow News 1
The Cave City City Council met for a second time this month for its regular August meeting. Before calling the meeting to order, council members welcomed a new addition as Andrew Bagshaw was sworn in. Bagshaw’s appointment came after the council’s vote last week where he won the seat in a 3-2 vote over code enforcement officer Jamie Burnett.
“Obviously, I’m young so there’s going to be a steep learning curve,” said 28 year-old Bagshaw. “But being young I think there’s stuff that I can bring to the table. I think that I can help get the younger people of Cave City out and show them that they could have the opportunity down the road.”
Bagshaw will fill the vacancy left by council member Brandon Wright for the remainder of his term, which ends in December 2026. Bagshaw can run for a full term in the 2026 November election.
After the ceremony, Mayor Dwayne Hatcher called the meeting to order, with the first notable discussion stemming from the 2025-26 property tax rate.
A summary of the rates was distributed to the council comparing the compensating rate and the four percent increase. The compensating rate is the rate that generates about the same amount of revenue as the previous year from the existing tax base. The four percent increase is the rate that allows a taxing body to collect up to four percent more revenue than the prior year from the existing tax base.
“That four percent is a little deceiving,” explained Hatcher. “It is not a four percent tax increase, it is a four percent revenue increase.”
Real estate in the city is valued at just over $140 million for 2025, up from last year’s $133 million. New construction and improvements account for about $998,000 of that increase. Personal property, which includes items such as business equipment, is also up from 2024 at about $13.7 million, according to the chart.
While taking the four percent would keep property tax the same at 13.4 cents per $100 of assessed value, it was noted by councilwoman Leticia Cline that the compensating rate would lower the tax to 12.9 cents. “I understand that no one would notice a change in their taxes if we go with the four percent,” she said. “However, it’s what we do with that revenue is the question.”
Cline went on to talk about her previous experience on the city council when she spoke out against using American Rescue Plan funds for raises, because “it wasn’t self-sustaining.”
Pointing to the recent tax discussion at Caverna Independent Schools, she quoted from the presentation given by Baird representative Kelly Mrsic, that Caverna is distinct in being primarily funded through tax dollars from residents. “It would be great to be able to give our citizens just a little bit of a break.”
Despite Cline’s qualms, the council voted in favor of the four percent, maintaining the current property tax rate.
The council also heard from Barren River Development District representative Matt Pedigo about updates for Cave City’s Boys and Girls Club project. “We have some good news,” Pedigo said. “I have documented proof that the Boys and Girls Club has the match funding that they had reached for the original grant.”
Pedigo also explained that he had been in contact with the architectural firm RBS which is handling the building’s design. “They have gotten a letter back from the building inspector with some things that he needs to make changes on,” he explained. “They’re clarifying if they can go ahead and approve it and make the changes during the construction process.”
He also stated that after a few more bureaucratic hurdles have been passed the project could be put out to bid. Council members were optimistic but lamented on how long the process has taken, “It was even before my tenure with BRADD,” Pedigo laughed.
Cave City Police Chief Paul Reynolds told the council the department’s body cams should arrive within a week, noting they’ll require some training — not just for his officers, but for himself. “Some of these guys have worn body cams before,” Reynolds said. “I haven’t.”
The council is expected to review the department’s new body cam policy at its next meeting, giving Reynolds time to learn the technology and ensure it’s used lawfully.
The council’s next scheduled meeting will be set for Sept. 8.
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