Declining revenues and rising costs were the overarching concerns of a majority of the KLC Board of Directors during discussions on legislative strategy held July 8. The panel of 53 mayors, council members, commissioners, city clerks and affiliate member leadership spent five hours discussing more than 20 legislative topics, including:

• Rising County Employees Retirement System costs
• Publication requirements
• Mandated collective bargaining
• City classification issues
• Telecommunication tax shortfall
• Voluntary training incentives

Almost every issue related back to the decline in city revenues, increasing expenditures and the limited options cities have to raise revenues. Board members concurred that they would put focus on improving the bottom line for cities through economic development initiatives and addressing the threats to city budgets. 

Corbin City Manager Bill Ed Cannon explains a point while Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison listens.

"We have to stand together as unified front if we want to accomplish our goals in Frankfort," said KLC Second Vice President and Bowling Green Mayor Elaine Walker.

The board will reconvene September 14 at the KLC Conference & Expo to finalize the 2011 legislative agenda. All KLC members are encouraged to attend.

Radcliffe Mayor Sheila Enyart, Fort Mitchell Mayor Tom Holocher and City Attorney Foster Haunz discuss the legislative agenda.

If you have questions regarding legislative issues, please contact J.D. Chaney at 1-800-876-4552 or jchaney@klc.org