WQXE NEWS

The Radcliff-Elizabethtown Metropolitan Planning Organization last year commissioned a public transportation study, and representatives from the Lincoln Trail Area Development District and consulting firm Michael Baker International on Monday presented the results and recommendations from the study at the State Theater.

LTADD Executive Director Daniel London said the study does a good job presenting the current needs and capabilities for public transportation in the area, and lays out a clear path forward with a three-phase process. Phase One starts with a partnership expanding TACK Transportation.

“They would start a vanpool service that would be a cost of $40,000 to $50,000 a year, and that gives a real test as to what the demand signal would be,” London said.

Phase One would see an Elizabethtown loop and a Radcliff/Vine Grove connector. Phase Two expands the services out to include inter-connecting services at Hardin County locations, with Phase Three expanding into Meade County/Brandenburg and Glendale.

London said state and federal funds will cover a large part of the needed costs, but local tax dollars will need to be committed to go the rest of the way.

“I would encourage the public to have conversations with their elected officials about their desire for this service and how they feel it should be funded, and give them the space and grace in which to make the best decision possible for their constituents,” London said.

Elizabethtown Mayor Jeff Gregory said the presented plan has him optimistic.

“On the front end, it looks like a great opportunity for not only Elizabethtown, but for our whole community, and it really opens up a lot of doors for people,” Gregory said. “When you talk about workforce development and folks being able to get to healthcare, and even younger people that want to continue education at ECTC, all those avenues are available with public transportation.”

The complete presentation, study results, and proposed plan can be found on the LTADD and REMPO websites.

The Elizabethtown City Council met for a special meeting and work session Monday.

An ordinance approving the renewal of Comcast’s non-exclusive franchise agreement with the city for 15 years was approved on its second reading.

City Clerk and Alcohol Beverage Control Administrator Jessica Graham gave an update to the council on the city’s alcohol licenses. Graham says the city has approved 179 licenses this year.

“59 of those this year so far are temporary, special temporary,” Graham said. “I have about four of those pending. I have probably 12, whether it’s inquiries or applications, in process.”

The city has brought in $1.2 million in regulatory fees so far this year. Graham said there are still two quarters to collect for as well as for October, November, and December, so she anticipates the city will clear $2 million by the end of the year, which would be more than the $1.8 million collected last year.

Graham said she would like to see some slight amendments to the city’s ABC ordinance to clean up some language and make some clarifications.

“We want you to use our city forms,” Graham said. “It causes a lot of problems for us if you try to make your own. We want to make sure that everyone understands you cannot have any alcohol out after 1 a.m. That doesn’t mean you just close your door. We had to add the EDC ordinance. We hadn’t added that.”

Elizabethtown Fire Chief Mark Malone said the fire department’s new burn building has been put to good use, including for thermal vision training that saw participation from several area fire departments recently. Repairs and replacements were made at fire stations One and Three, and construction is going well on the city’s newest fire station.

“Station Four is under construction and on schedule and on budget,” Malone said. “We hope to open that station late July of 2025.”

Elizabethtown Director of Engineering Michael Page said street and sidewalk improvements on North Main Street have been going smoothly. The city plans to announce additional road closures in that area as the project wraps up.

The Elizabethtown City Council will next meet November 4.

Three area school districts are looking for feedback from school families through active surveys available through their websites and social media.

Breckinridge County Schools is seeking responses for their Parent/Caregiver Experience survey. BCS says feedback from the survey will help the district determine what is working well in their schools and what needs improvement. The survey should take about 15 minutes to complete and can be found on the Breckinridge County School District Facebook page.

Meanwhile, the Hardin County Schools Calendar Committee has created two options for the 2025-2026 school year. That survey is available on the News and Announcements section of the Hardin County Schools website until midnight this Friday. The HCS School Board has the final decision on the calendar but will consider community input in their decision.

Finally, Tuesday is the last day to provide input on the Elizabethtown Independent Schools 2025-2026 school calendar. A link to the survey options can be found on the Elizabethtown Independent School District Facebook page.