LOUISA CITY COUNCIL
BY Susan Salyer
The Louisa City Council Meeting was held on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at Louisa City Hall, 215 N. Main Cross Street, Louisa, Kentucky 41230, at 6PM. The Mayor of Louisa, Harold Slone, was in attendance along with the Louisa City Council including Kala Brown, Caleb Farley, Rose Lester, Coty Roe and Keith Chaffin. Joey McClanhan was absent.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
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- “…The events during Christmas were really good. Journey to Bethlehem was awesome although it was a little rainy, It was a wonderful success. Our little night in the park was awesome. The kids had a ball, there were train rides and the park was packed with over 300 kids. I want to Thank everybody that helped in many different ways. We keep adding decorations each year, so that’s good to build on.
- W. Pike Street Project. We applied for Emergency funding for a 48 inch tile on the project. This tile has been failing for some time and recently every joint on the tile has collapsed. We got quotes and put together a package and submitted it to Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Because we pay into a co-op each year, when we have unexpected emergency it gives us the right to apply. $40,000 was awarded on this project and pipe has been delivered and contractors will be able to start January 20, 2026 with 4-5 days to complete the work.
- AEP proposes a rate increase again this year. They had a Public Commission Meeting for the general public in Ashland. I went and spoke on behalf of the City and Utilities Board. The water/wastewater now pays $40,000 a month. A 15% increase to that is $6,000 more a month at $72,000 a year. My word at the meeting was no way public utilities can absorb that kind of increase without passing it on to the customers. It’s a massive increase, I thought it was necessary to speak as a City on an increase of 15%. “Public utilities can’t absorb a nearly 15 percent increase in electric rates. Those costs flow straight through to water and wastewater bills, placing additional strain on the same customers we’re all trying to protect.For many families, seniors, and small businesses that compounding effect is a real concern, Slone said.”
APPROVE MINUTES
The Council approved the Minutes for December 9, 2025 Regular Meeting with a Motion by Coty Roe and seconded by Keith Chaffin. None Opposed.
DISCUSS NEW FIRE DISTRICT CONTRACT
Outside the City Limits, citizens pay a Fire Tax on their property. Not people in the City, but people in a 5 mile radius outside the city. It is a Fire District that has a Board, that Board chooses to contract with the City of Louisa for services rather than have their own Fire Department. So the City’s Fire Department services that 5 mile radius.
“It’s a housekeeping measure that we have this contract up to date with the board, that says you pay us we will provide the service. It has not been raised in 11 years.” Slone said.
The Fire District pays the City of Louisa $29,400. per year. The Council decided to raise the cost the Fire Board pays by $5,000. The Motion was unanimously approved by Caleb Farley and seconded by Kala Brown.
APPROVE ADVERTISING FOR BID ON HIGH SERVICE PUMP AT WATER PLANT
The Council unanimously approved to advertise for bid on High Service Pump at the Water Plant. Motion by Keith Chaffin seconded by Rose Lester.
LOUISA MIDDLE SCHOOL SIDEWALK PROJECT
It has been 2 years in the making to build a sidewalk from the Louisa Middle School to Gene Wilson Blvd. Motion was approved for the authorization to have a bid. Motion by Rose Lester and seconded by Kala Brown. None Opposed.
THE DECEMBER 2025 BUDGET TRACKING REPORT
Then December 2025 Budget Tracking Report shows where we stand with the City Budget on a monthly basis so clerks can keep up with all the different sources of funds and where the money is going.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
City of Louisa Attorney Eldred E. (Bud) Adam’s said, “While in Executive Session the Council authorized the Mayor to get an appraisal on a possible property acquisition. On the other Real Estate matter, the Mayor brought Council up to date. No action was taken”
AGENDA
- Call to Order
- Old Business
- Approve Minutes for December 09, 2025 Regular Meeting – Motion by Coty Roe 2nd by Keith Chaffin. None Opposed.
New Business
- Discuss New Fire District Contract – Motion by Caleb Farley 2nd by Kala Brown. None Opposed.
- Approve advertising for bid, High Service Pump at Water Plant – Motion by Keith Chaffin 2nd by Rose Lester.
- Middle School Sidewalk Project – Motion by Rose Lester 2nd by Kala Brown. None Opposed.
- The December 2025 Budget Tracking Report – Shows where we stand with the Budget.
- Council Comments – None
- Audience Comments – None
- Executive Session – City of Louisa Attorney Eldred E. (Bud) Adam’s said, “While in Executive Session the Council authorized the Mayor to get an appraisal on a possible property acquisition. The other Real Estate matter, the Mayor brought Council up to date. No action was taken”
- Adjourn – Motion by Rose Lester and 2nd by Kala Brown.
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The next Regular Scheduled Meeting will be held on Tuesday February 10, 2025 at City Hall at 6PM
