WQXE News
The Elizabethtown City Council met for their first meeting of the month Monday.
The first reading was held on the city budget ordinance for fiscal year 2025-2026.
“The budget contains total funds available of $157,969,480, and the total appropriations for expenditures equal to $126,940,521, with an estimated ending fund balance of $31,28,959,” said City Attorney Ken Howard, reading from the budget ordinance.
Elizabethtown Mayor Jeff Gregory said the budget is a “great budget,” and made note of the expansion of sworn officers at the Elizabethtown Police Department from 55 the year he was elected to 92, which he said is partially because of the department supporting more school resource officers.
“We think it’s really made a difference and continues to make a difference, not only to make the kids safer, but to build a foundation and a friendship and trust level with our police department, and we’ve already seen that paying dividends, unless you all disagree, which I know that you don’t,” Gregory said.
In other meeting news, the council approved a bid from Compass Minerals for road salt. That contract is priced at $122 per ton.
Gregory had high praise for the city’s event staff following this past weekend’s E-Town Block Party.
“I could not believe when I looked out there from the stage how many people were behind the Justice Center and were downtown and enjoying the different establishments that we had and the food trucks,” Gregory said. “As far as I know, we had limited or zero problems down there.”
The Elizabethtown City Council will next meet June 9.
The Kentucky State Police is investigating a fatal collision which occurred in Meade County Saturday night.
KSP Post Four says at about 11:15 p.m. on May 31 the Meade County Sheriff’s Office requested troopers investigate a two-vehicle collision near the 4100 block of KY 144/Payneville Road.
The KSP says the preliminary investigation indicates that 20-year-old Robert Eldridge of Battletown was driving west on Payneville Road when he attempted to pass another vehicle. Eldridge’s car then struck an eastbound vehicle operated by John Kaw of Louisville.
Eldridge was pronounced dead at the scene by the Meade County Coroner’s Office. Kaw and a passenger in Eldridge’s vehicle suffered life-threatening injuries and were flown to the University of Louisville Hospital for treatment.
The KSP says the affected portion of Payneville Road was closed for several hours for accident reconstruction. The investigation of the collision remains ongoing.
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District Four crews and contractors are gearing up for work on several area projects.
KYTC District Four says preparation work gets under way June 9 for asphalt resurfacing on an 11-mile stretch of the Bluegrass Parkway. Work will take place between mile markers 24 and 35. The KYTC says traffic will be reduced to one lane in varying configurations as the work progresses. Work will begin with barrier wall setting at bridge locations along the stretch. Work is to be completed by November 1.
Meanwhile, work has begun on a series of bridge projects in Hardin County to replace bridge deck driving surfaces.
KY 1375 is reduced to one lane at the bridge over the Nolin River, with that project due to be completed by June 20.
KY 84 is reduced to one lane at the bridge over the Western Kentucky Parkway. That work is scheduled to be completed by June 13. When completed, crews will shift to work on KY 210 for the bridge over Middle Creek.
Varying lane closures will be in place on KY 361 for work on the bridge over U.S. 31W near Fort Knox. That work should be completed by July 7.
Motorists are urged to use caution and minimize distractions when approaching and driving through work zones. Slow down and pay attention to signage and flaggers.
Follow KYTC District Four on social media for project updates.