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Junction City proposed class change meets with debate

February 01, 2006|LIZ MAPLES

Junction City's attempt to be a fourth-class city passed in the state Senate, but it is running into opposition from the state legislator who lives there and from the City Council.

Councilman Dewayne Taylor, who is pushing the idea, says the change is for the city's economy, not liquor.

A fourth-class city can have an election to sell packaged liquor in a dry county, but a fifth-class city cannot, which had Rep. Mike Harmon, R-Junction City, wondering. He said he does not support changing the city's class if the intent is to have a wet-dry vote.

In a fifth-class city there can be an election to allow liquor-by-the-drink, but not packaged sales.

State Sen. Tom Buford, R-Nicholasville, said he sponsored the bill because Taylor asked him to sponsor it. Buford said he doesn't have a position on the alcohol issue.

Buford has also introduced a bill would allow Shakertown and other historic sites to have an election for liquor-by-the-drink sales. That bill was introduced with the local option in mind.

Harmon said if the people of Junction City would bring him the numbers to support a change in population, he would look at it.

Historically city classes have been divided by population, and using those categories the city would have to have a population of at least 3,000 to be a fourth class city.

Junction City Council passed a resolution in December that says U.S. Census Bureau figures and a "city-wide canvas" show the city has a population of 3,011.

However, Mayor G.G. Harmon said the latest census figures provided to the city by the census bureau put the population at 2,100. He has called a special meeting 7 p.m. Thursday at City Hall to consider rescinding the December resolution that puts the population at more than 3,000.

Taylor said he came up with his numbers by looking at the city and all the new houses that have been built to estimate an increase in population.

In the end, it's the numbers that matter.

However, a 1994 state constitutional amendment that has never been used says the division of city classes also can be decided on tax base, form of government, geography or any other reasonable basis, according to the Kentucky League of Cities.

Taylor said he still wants to see Junction City's class change, and that he will do research before Thursday's meeting to show how a fourth-class status can benefit the city.

Mayor Harmon said he isn't against the change if it will help the people of Junction City.

Buford said even if the class change isn't passed by the legislature the city can still petition the state to change its class.

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