Hopkinsville residents can tell Mayor James R. Knight Jr. how they believe the city should prioritize budget spending at a meeting set for 6 p.m. Monday, March 16, at city hall, 715 South Virginia St.
“Community participation is an important part of the budgeting process,” states a press release from Knight’s office. “Feedback gathered during the meeting will help city leadership better understand the needs and priorities of Hopkinsville residents as they evaluate funding decisions for services, programs and projects that impact the community.”
In addition, the release states, “City officials value public input and view this meeting as an opportunity to strengthen transparency and collaboration between the city and its citizens.”
The city’s 2025-26 operational budget, which runs through June 30, is $58.26 million.
The current main revenue sources are:
- Payroll tax — $22.81 million
- Insurance premium tax — $7.62 million
- Property tax revenue — $5.88 million
- Business license revenue — $5.10 million
The major expenditures by city agencies are:
- Police — $10.54 million
- Fire — $10.02 million
- Emergency Medical Service — $3.40 million
- Maintenance — $2.98 million
- Administration — $2.80 million
- Emergency Communications — $1.94 million
- Parks & Recreation — $1.62 million
- Information Technology — $$1.49 million
- Fire Prevention — $1.22 million
The new budget, which requires two votes by Hopkinsville City Council, must be approved before July 1.
Typically, the mayor makes a public address with his proposed budget in early May. The council can approved it as is or amend section of the budget.
Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. Brown was a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era, where she worked for 30 years. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board past president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition. She serves on the Hopkinsville History Foundation's board.
