Klc

The Nicholasville Police Department was recognized by the Kentucky League of Cities with its 100 Percent Scorecard award during its recent convention. NPD Chief Barry Waldrop said the KLC looks at many areas of a police department when determining who gets an award. "They come in and do an audit on you. It's like a scorecard," he said. "They ask you different questions like do you have cameras in the car, do you go to the firing range more than twice a year, do you have certified range instructors, do you train on defensive tactics, do you have policy on pursuit and so on. "It's about a page and a half of those types of questions, and if you score on all of those, then you've scored 100," Waldrop added.

Mayfield Mayor Arthur Byrn might not think anything "sinister" is going on at the Kentucky League of Cities. But in these days of busted municipal budgets, the KLC's wasteful spending seems pretty sinister to me ? and others. Recent Lexington Herald-Leader reports on excessive spending at the KLC and the Kentucky Association of Counties led Crit Luallen, state auditor, to announce plans to look at their books. State insurance investigators picked up the scent, too. Entities such as the KLC and KACo lobby, loan money and provide liability insurance to Kentucky cities and counties.

Nicholasville Mayor John Martin recently was awarded the Silver Level award by the Public Officials Essential Skills Institute from the Kentucky League of Cities. "The KLC is a fantastic resource and partner," Martin said. "It has been an honor and privilege for me to work with and get to know the professional staff of the KLC. " The award is based on the number of continuing education course completed. Martin has completed several courses, including building codes, annual audit, building for a brighter future, and financing projects during his time as Nicholasville mayor.

Dear Editor, It seems to me that Mayor Coomer is having some "senior moments" when it comes to recalling events that have taken place when it comes to his meetings with the Kentucky League of Cities insurance board. Perhaps when he requests another meeting with them, he should take someone along who can take minutes so that he can get his facts straight before reporting back to the commissioners. Since he knew that his claim was denied, why would he ask for comments in order to report back to the KLC board when he knew they did not request this of him?

Mayor Ed Burtner says oversight will be his key goal as he begins to serve on a financial review task force for the Kentucky League of Cities this month. The group was created in July following an investigation by the Lexington Herald-Leader, which revealed hundreds of thousands of dollars of unscrupulous spending by the League's staff. Burtner will serve alongside three other Kentucky mayors to review the organization's monthly expenses and ensure purchases pass muster. "The expense has to be legitimate and reasonable, it has to be in keeping with the mission of the league, and if it's not, if it's excessive and unreasonable, it will not be allowed," he said.

While some cities, including Harrodsburg, have already paid out back overtime pay to firefighters, Danville is taking a wait-and-see approach and keeping an eye on the new legislative session. Each year, Kentucky firefighters receive $3,100 in education incentive pay from the state to complete required training. The money is disbursed by the state to the city fire departments, and cities divide the amount among firefighters over the year. According to the Kentucky League of Cities, the incentive funds had been disbursed at an hourly rate over the course of a year by dividing the $3,100 by 2,912 - the number of scheduled hours worked in year on a 24-hours on, 48-hours off work schedule.

LEXINGTON - Danville City Commissioner Terry Crowley and City Clerk Donna Peek were two of nine city officials recognized for their ongoing commitment to continuing education on local governance issues. In a ceremony held Oct. 16 in Louisville, both received the gold level award in the Public Officials Essential Skills Institute from the Kentucky League of Cities. The Kentucky League of Cities established POESI to assist city officials in working toward good governance while recognizing their efforts to become effective leaders.

Dear Editor: The Advocate-Messenger should be commended for its recent series chronicling the impact of the Kentucky Lottery Corporation on the Commonwealth. We appreciate any effort which can help educate readers as to what we've accomplished during nearly 16 years of operation. While there were numerous points made over the course of the four-part series which gave readers an overview of how the Kentucky Lottery has affected our state, there were several issues we feel bear further explanation.

As attention shifts to the 2012 budget process, Danville City Commission got some positive news Monday night from auditors about last year’s finances. Jerry Hensley with the Louisville-based accounting firm Ray, Foley, Hensley & Co., which conducted the audit, delivered a nearly 50-page document that was noteworthy primarily for what it didn’t contain. Hensley said the review of the city’s internal control over financial reporting and compliance with laws and regulations produced no substantial findings.

A committee tasked with setting a job benchmark for the traits Danville's next city manager should possess heard the results of their work Monday from the Kentucky League of Cities. Tad Long of KLC presented the findings that were compiled last week when the seven-person committee spent several hours discussing and answering hundreds of questions about skills, behaviors and motivations important for the city's top job. The benchmark committee included City Engineer Earl Coffey, Assistant Police Chief Tony Gray, City Clerk Donna Peek, Mayor Bernie Hunstad, Commissioner Kevin Caudill, and two representatives from the public, the Rev. William Jenkins and George Cunningham.

Danville's new city manager could be in place by the end of February if the City Commission sticks to a plan approved Monday night. Commissioner Ryan Montgomery presented an outline for a process consisting of 11 steps, which would begin next week and blend the services of a search firm with community involvement. The process would begin Nov. 1 with the start of the benchmarking service provided by the Kentucky League of Cities. The service approved last week by the commission involves determining the motivations and abilities necessary for a successful city manager based on feedback from people knowledgeable about the job. Based on the plan approved Monday night, the search firm would mainly assist with developing the advertising and narrowing the applicants to a list of finalists.

LANCASTER - Lancaster and Garrard County officials swapped opinions Monday about creating a commission to study a merged charter-county form of government. Discussions that centered primarily on the make-up of the study commission and the potential outcomes of its formation created uncertainty about Lancaster City Council's willingness to pass the second reading of the ordinance required to form the commission. The council approved the first reading 5-1 in August with Councilman Brandon McGlone casting the lone no vote.

A large crowd turned out Thursday night to give its two cents about how city officials should spend money as they begin the budget process later this month. About 115 people turned out on a snowy night for the community listening session in the Danville High School auditorium. Representatives from the Kentucky League of Cities facilitated the session. Concerns ran the gamut from specific requests to calls for more comprehensive planning for downtown development. Several people who made comments,noted problem areas on roads and with public safety.

As attention shifts to the 2012 budget process, Danville City Commission got some positive news Monday night from auditors about last year’s finances. Jerry Hensley with the Louisville-based accounting firm Ray, Foley, Hensley & Co., which conducted the audit, delivered a nearly 50-page document that was noteworthy primarily for what it didn’t contain. Hensley said the review of the city’s internal control over financial reporting and compliance with laws and regulations produced no substantial findings.

The Nicholasville Police Department was recognized by the Kentucky League of Cities with its 100 Percent Scorecard award during its recent convention. NPD Chief Barry Waldrop said the KLC looks at many areas of a police department when determining who gets an award. "They come in and do an audit on you. It's like a scorecard," he said. "They ask you different questions like do you have cameras in the car, do you go to the firing range more than twice a year, do you have certified range instructors, do you train on defensive tactics, do you have policy on pursuit and so on. "It's about a page and a half of those types of questions, and if you score on all of those, then you've scored 100," Waldrop added.

Mayor Ed Burtner says oversight will be his key goal as he begins to serve on a financial review task force for the Kentucky League of Cities this month. The group was created in July following an investigation by the Lexington Herald-Leader, which revealed hundreds of thousands of dollars of unscrupulous spending by the League's staff. Burtner will serve alongside three other Kentucky mayors to review the organization's monthly expenses and ensure purchases pass muster. "The expense has to be legitimate and reasonable, it has to be in keeping with the mission of the league, and if it's not, if it's excessive and unreasonable, it will not be allowed," he said.

Mayfield Mayor Arthur Byrn might not think anything "sinister" is going on at the Kentucky League of Cities. But in these days of busted municipal budgets, the KLC's wasteful spending seems pretty sinister to me ? and others. Recent Lexington Herald-Leader reports on excessive spending at the KLC and the Kentucky Association of Counties led Crit Luallen, state auditor, to announce plans to look at their books. State insurance investigators picked up the scent, too. Entities such as the KLC and KACo lobby, loan money and provide liability insurance to Kentucky cities and counties.