RC IRK
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Jared Darwin
Perryville has finally received its full $162,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), and officials are evaluating how best to use the funds, including for a new fire station and additional weekend police presence.
Perryville’s plans for a new fire stationn next to the town building you will encounter a possible catch.
During the Aug. 4 council meeting in Perryville, Mayor Carlos Miller raised the issue of a new fire station near the city building.
All council members supported the idea; However, the plan may not materialize as the facilities are located on private land leased from the city.
“Using taxpayers’ money to fund privately owned real estate is against the Kentucky Constitution,” Miller said. “So if we were to build on our existing property and use tax revenue, we would have to get the person leasing that property to transfer it to us.”
If the city signs over the property, Councilor Tim Simpson raised the possibility of using the recent surplus from ARPA funds to pay for the new fire station. The idea was favored by the other members; However, Miller said they just have to wait and see if they get the land first.
The other big topic of discussion was funding for a fourth shift of police officers on Fridays and Saturdays. Council members spoke of using part of the ARPA fund for this as well.
“If a spot was created, I wouldn’t dispute that,” he saysd Chief of Police Parker Hatter. “We could definitely use the help.”
Hatter went on to explain to the council how there are gaps in coverage as the station can only cover about 88 hours a week. Miller said they would host that discussion for next month’s meeting when they had a better idea of whether the ARPA funds could be used for that as well.
The council also voted unanimously to increase the net real estate tax and trade tax from 1 percent to 1.5 percent.
All members felt the move was necessary to even out the county’s tax rate and help generate more revenue to support ideas such as a fourth police post and building a fire station.
On other matters, the Council discussed:
• Leave the property tax rate at 2.8%.
• Prepare for the 160th Perryville Battlefield Commemoration.
• Success of the Turtle Derby, which generated $15,000 in Main Street fund revenue.
• Bourbon Chase on September 30, when officials expect 2,000 or more people to pass through town.
• Additional sites to be considered for the new fire station at next month’s meeting.
