Hopkinsville City Councilman Wendell Lynch was elected by fellow council members as the new Council Presiding Officer Thursday night.
The Committee of the Whole selected Wendell Lynch to replace Tom Johnson, who held the post for the previous year. Lynch will preside over Hopkinsville City Council meetings in the absence of a Mayor. The Committee of the Whole also elected Phillip Brooks to serve as Committee Chair and chose Tom Johnson to serve as co-chair.
Meanwhile, Councilman Wendell Lynch requested they wait to have any discussion about the three options to fund rising pension costs until after they hear from legislators.
Legislators are scheduled to have the pension discussion with Council members Monday morning, January 27, at 8:30.
In new business, the Committee voted to forward a proposal presented by Hopkinsville Fire Chief Steve Futrell to hire six additional personnel and absorb Oak Grove EMS into the City of Hopkinsville.
The Committee also forwarded a proposal presented by Police Chief Clayton Sumner to eliminate the rank of Lieutenant and increase the number of Captains from two to three. He says the move places additional positions on patrol and will also save money.
An Intergovernmental Support Agreement with Fort Campbell for pavement striping was also forwarded to City Council. Per the agreement, Public Works Department Director Mike Perry explained Fort Campbell would pay for the street department to add two employees.
He noted that would allow the street department to do all the road striping in the city, which would save approximately $25,000 to $30,000 a year.
The next Hopkinsville City Council meeting will be Tuesday night, February 4, at 6:00 in Council Chambers at the Municipal Building.