By GAGE WILSON
For Glasgow News 1
The Cave City City Council met at its regular session Monday, July 14 with agenda items ranging from filling an open vacancy to raising city official wages.
The meeting opened with discussion on how to fill the vacancy left by Councilman Brandon Wright when he resigned in late June due to health concerns. Mayor Dwayne Hatcher, with city attorney Bobby Richardson, reminded the council that if a replacement isn’t appointed within 30 days, the power to do so shifts to the governor.
Councilwoman Beverly Ford nominated Barren County Property Valuation Administrator employee George Briggs, but Hatcher paused the discussion with a late-breaking update.
“I just got this about a half hour ago,” he said. “George, with his job with the PVA, I think he might have gotten some information that it might be a conflict of interest…. I even spoke with Bobby about it, and I don’t think there is a conflict, but I understand.”
Ford withdrew her nomination, and no other names were brought forward.
Councilwoman Leticia Cline noted how difficult the process had already been. “I mean, we’ve had almost a month already,” she said. “And it’s been hard.”
The council agreed to hold a special-called meeting on Aug. 6 to vote on a new appointee.
Next, Kevin Myatt, director of the Joint City-County Planning Commission, briefed the council on new state legislation that will require cities to allow qualified manufactured homes in residential zones. House Bill 160, which goes into effect July 1, 2026, is part of Kentucky’s response to the ongoing housing shortage.
“This gives us a little time to look at it and work with it,” Myatt said. “It’s really aimed at expanding access to affordable housing.”
The bill sets a statewide standard for what qualifies as a manufactured home, though Myatt noted that private subdivision rules and housing authorities can still enforce stricter design standards.
Cline raised concerns about safety, especially with Barren County now considered part of “Tornado Alley.” She called manufactured homes “the least safe” in severe weather and worried about long-term consequences.
No action was taken, with council members agreeing to revisit the matter after more review. Myatt noted that local planning commissions across the state were largely caught off guard. “Even though it was signed by the governor in April,” he said, “most of us didn’t know about it.”
Discussion then turned to a different kind of value, compensation.
“I served on the council in the 1990s,” said Councilman Ronald Coffey. “Back then we got $50 a month. And we’re still making $50 a month.”
Coffey proposed raising that amount to “at least” $150 per meeting, citing the increasing number of committee and special-called meetings. Other members agreed, with some noting that better compensation could attract a wider pool of candidates in future elections.
Rather than vote on an ordinance — which would not take effect until the next term — the council opted to contact the Department for Local Government.
According to Richardson, the DLG can assess the city’s budget and inflation trends to determine what a fair wage would be based on 2025 purchasing power. If approved, that wage adjustment could take effect sooner.
The council’s next meeting is scheduled for Aug. 6 to appoint a new member.
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