LOUISA CITY COUNCIL CELEBRATES LMS LADY DOGS SOFTBALL TEAM DAY…
By Susan Salyer
LOUISA, Ky. — The Louisa City Council had a Special Meeting, Tuesday May 19, 2026 at 6:30PM at Louisa City Hall, 215 N Main Cross Street, Louisa Kentucky 41230. City of Louisa Mayor Harold Slone was in attendance along with the Louisa City Council Members including Joey McClanahan, Kala Brown, Caleb Farley, Rose Lester and Coty Roe. Keith Chaffin was absent.
LOUISA MIDDLE SCHOOL LADY DOGS
Mayor Harold Slone declared Tuesday May 19, 2026 as Louisa Middle School Lady Dogs Softball Team Day. Congratulations on your accomplishments this year including going 20-0 and capturing the conference title.
MAYOR COMMENTS
- “In Meadowbrook, paper work is done (on paving), but we don’t have a start date. The contractors did say that they would start when school is out.”
- “The Pike Street Project has been delayed several times for variable reasons. The contractor is finishing a job on Route 32. The delay is due to weather conditions (Rain)
- “FEMA and Department of Homeland Security has been shut down for several months at the Federal level. We are not at a standstill. We have the Notice to Proceed if we can get the last section of funding with FEMA to finish the Louisa Sewer Plant.”
APPROVE MINUTES
The Minutes for April 14, 2026 Regular Meeting was unanimously approved with a
Motion by Caleb Farley and seconded by Coty Roe.
APPROVE MOU WITH KENTUCKY STATE POLICE
Chief of Police, Steven Wilburn explained… “This is the Internet Crimes against Children Task Force. In Kentucky they give to investigate those crimes. Kentucky State Police partners with local agencies. Now our officers can do training and have access to computer programs to help with their investigations. This resource costs nothing, it is a Funded Grant.” This Motion was approved by Joey McClanahan and seconded by Kala Brown. None Opposed.
APPROVE CITY BUDGET FOR 2026-2027
Mayor Slone said,
“There are a few things I would like to point out. The layout is different because we track restricted and unrestricted funds separately. Now, in the future if they come to Audit the Opioid Revenue we have to allocate that they are restricted funds.
ABC Money and Road Fund dollars are restricted revenue. Another reason for that is the State Road fund this year has some new funding. It is a match dollar for dollar and in restriction of the road fund it says that new dollars have to be matched with dollars that are not restricted and not road funds.
So our General Fund cannot use restricted funds that have to be used as unrestricted funds.
You will see we did increase the fuel expense and I still worry if we increased it enough. Employees raises we give 3% for employees. There are not a lot of changes since last year. We have worked hard on the Budget.”
Motion by Coty Roe and seconded by Joey McClanahan. None Opposed.
FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE 2026-01 CITY OF LOUISA 2026-2027 BUDGET
The Utility Budget has $3.8 million in Income and $3.4 million in Expenses leaving $440,000 in surplus. Slone said, “There has been an increase in fuel costs and a little in sewer and water because of the CPI Index. Seems like we are building more houses so water and sewer taps are up just a little bit.”
Motion by Caleb Farley and seconded by Kala Brown. None Opposed.
FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE 2026-02 CITY EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION
The First Reading of Ordinance 2026-02 City Employee Compensation was unanimously approved with a
Motion by Rose Lester and seconded by Coty Roe.
APPROVE LOUISA UTILITY BUDGET FOR 2026-2027
The Louisa Utility Budget for 2026-2027 was unanimously approved with a
Motion by Coty Roe and seconded by Joey McClanahan. None Opposed.
FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE 2026-03, LOUISA UTILITY BUDGET
Motion by Kala Brown and seconded by Joey McClanahan. None Opposed.
FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE 2026-04, UTILITY EMPLOYEES COMPENSATION
RESOLUTION MUNICIPAL ROAD AID COOPERATIVE PROGRAM AGREEMENT
Motion by Joey McClanahan and seconded by Kala Brown. None Opposed.
ESTABLISH DATE FOR 2026 JULY FOURTH FIREWORKS
The date for the Fourth of July Fireworks will be the Fourth of July at dusk.
Motion was unanimously approved by Caleb Farley and seconded by Kala Brown.
ESTABLISH DATE AND TIME FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE
The Fourth of July Parade will be on the Fourth of July at 10AM. Motion by Kala Brown and seconded by Rose Lester. None Opposed.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilwoman Rose Lester said, “There’s a hole in my yard that is getting bigger, you could bury 2 or 3 people in it.”
Mayor Slone said, “It’s an old storm drain.”
The hole in Lester’s yard will be assessed soon with Septemberfest and Halloween coming up. Lester said, “It’s a liability to the city because people cut through there.”
Mayor Slone made no decision on Rose Lester’s problem.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS
Eric Gibson said, “Did we get anywhere on the side by sides, dirt bikes and ATV’s without registration and tags?
Mayor Slone said, “The county and city have passed the side by side ordinance and the city passed the golf cart ordinance. There are rules in place now.
Gibson said “Are they enforcing it?
Police Chief Wilburn said, “If anyone sees a violation they need to call 911.”
Rose Lester said, “These rules and regulations were recently passed with the city council. We will do a better job at getting people to comply, by maybe advertising what you need to do to be in compliance.”
ADJOURN
The Motion to Adjourn was unanimously approved with a Motion by Joey McClanahan and seconded by Coty Roe.
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Agenda
- Call to Order
Old Business
- Approve Minutes for April 14, 2026 Regular Meeting – Motion by Caleb Farley and 2nd by Coty Roe. None Opposed
- Approve MOU with Kentucky State Police – Discussion by Chief Wilburn. Motion by Joey McClanahan and 2nd by Kala Brown. None Opposed.
New Business
- Approve Louisa City Budget for 2026-2027 – Motion by Coty Roe 2nd by Joey McClanahan. None Opposed.
- First Reading of Ordinance 2026-01, City of Louisa 2026-2027 Budget – Motion by Caleb Farley and 2nd by Kala Brown. None Opposed.
- First Reading of Ordinance 2026-02, City Employee Compensation – Motion by Rose Lester and 2nd by Coty Roe. None Opposed.
- Approve Louisa Utility Budget for 2026-2027 – Motion by Rose Lester and 2nd by Coty Roe. None Opposed.
- First Reading of Ordinance 2026-03, Louisa Utility Budget – Motion by Caleb Farley and 2nd by Kala Brown. None Opposed.
- First Reading of Ordinance 2026-04, Utility Employees Compensation – Motion by Coty Roe and 2nd by Joey McClanahan. None Opposed.
- Resolution Municipal Road Aid Cooperative Program Agreement – Motion by Kala Brown and 2nd by Joey McClanahan. None Opposed.
- Establish date for 2026 July 4th fireworks – Discussion
- Establish Date and time for Independence Day Parade – Discussion
- The April 2026 Budget Tracking Report – No Questions on Report.
- Council Comments – None
- Audience Comments –
- Executive Session – None
- Adjourn – Motion by Joey McClanahan and 2nd by Coty Roe.
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The next Regular Scheduled Monthly Meeting will be held on Tuesday June 9, 2026 at Louisa City Hall at 6PM.
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Louisa Police Department
Golf Cart Safety & City Street Requirements
With warmer weather here, we know many people are getting their golf carts back out and using them around town. The City of Louisa adopted a golf cart ordinance following Kentucky Revised Statute (KRS) 189.286 that allows golf carts to operate on certain city streets (within city limits) – but there are important requirements that must be met first.
Since this ordinance was passed during the winter months, we understand some people may not yet be aware of the process or have had their golf cart inspected and permitted.
The Louisa Police Department operates with a practical, down-to-earth, common-sense approach. Our goal is not to create hardship for citizens by impounding golf carts or issuing citations resulting in fines. We simply want to make sure everyone understands the requirements and has an opportunity to become compliant.
However, in the interest of public safety, we are responsible for enforcing state laws and city ordinances and will address violations as necessary.
! Under KRS 189.286 and the City of Louisa ordinance, golf carts operated on city streets must:
V Be inspected by a certified inspector V Be issued a city permit
V Display the city permit/sticker
V Display a slow-moving vehicle emblem
V Be operated only on approved roadways with speed limits of 35
MPH or less
V Be operated by a person with a valid operator’s license in their possession
V Not cross intersections where the roadway being crossed has a speed limit greater than 35 MPH
A golf cart authorized for roadway use must also be properly equipped with:
- Headlights
- Tail lights
- Brake lights
- Turn signals
- Mirrors
- Parking brake
- Horn
- Reflectors
- Seat belts for all designated seating positions
Kentucky law further defines a golf cart as a vehicle:
- With at least four wheels
- Designed to carry no more than six people including the driver
- Designed to travel no more than 35 MPH
- With a maximum gross vehicle weight of 2,500 pounds
- Proof of insurance covering the golf cart is also required to be kept with it when operating on roadways.
Recently, we have received multiple complaints and reports involving juveniles operating golf carts carelessly, failing to yield to motor vehicles, and driving on heavily traveled roadways. This has become a significant safety concern.
One important requirement under the ordinance is that anyone operating a golf cart on a city street must have a valid driver’s license. Because of the increasing issues we are seeing, parents should not be surprised it they are contacted to come pick up their child if an officer stops them operating a golf cart unlawfully.
We completely understand this is a small community, and there are certainly worse things young people could be doing than riding a golf cart around their neighborhood. However, when golf carts are being operated on busy streets by individuals who may not fully understand traffic laws and roadway safety, the risk of serious injury becomes very real.
We appreciate everyone’s cooperation and understanding as we work together to keep our community safe. If you have questions about inspections, permits, or golf cart requirements, please contact Louisa City Hall, Lawrence County Sheriff Office or the Louisa Police Department.
