CITY ACCOMPLISHMENTS OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS 

As we say thank you to Council Members Bonnie Manning, Brandi Wilson, and John Campbell for their service to the city over the last two years. I would like to review just some of our accomplishments to the City during the last 2 years:

John, Bonnie, and Brandi have been such valuable members of our team and will be sorely missed.

 1.  When the Health Department cited the City of West Buechel because of the drainage issue, Council worked with Mayor Moore to resolve the health department citation which in turn was a positive that really started the next phase of the drainage project.

2.  Completed the Railroad Drainage Project that started in 2017 which had come to an abrupt halt.

3.  The City of West Buechel did not have a completed audit on file.  The City's audit for 2019 will be completed within next week and then the work will begin on getting the 2020 audit completed.  Worked with the Department of Local Government to resolve issues from not auditing in the remaining years, 2018, 2017, 2016, and 2015. Resolving the audits will allow us to receive road aid again that we haven't received since 2016 totaling approximately $100,000. These funds could be used to help with the next phase of the drainage project. This will also allow the city to be able to apply for federal and state funds again.

4.  The Ordinances have been codified.

5.  The website has been revamped costing $0.00.  This has broadened the public's communications with City Hall. Updates have been made to the website with the minutes of the City Council Meetings online for viewing and all Ordinances are now online for viewing which is saving thousands on publication cost.   

6.  We have also started accepting payments for Property Taxes, Occupational Taxes, Gross Receipt Taxes and Citations online. The program we are using to accept payments is managed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky costing $0.00 for accepting over the phone or online payments therefore saving approximately $4,000 a year in credit card fees.

7.  There were issues with handicap accessibility into the building and handicap parking.  I worked with Council to have handicap accessible doors installed into city hall and had the parking areas updated to be more handicap accessible.

8.  The Council and I worked together to secure the front entrance to have a safer environment for employees and maintain a safe distance between employees and the public by installing safety glass. Unbeknownst to us at the time, prepared us for the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020.

9.  Cleaned and painted City Hall in so that residents have a better environment for attending monthly meetings and training sessions.

10.  Installed new carpet in assembly hall for improved acoustics during city meetings and training.

11.  Renewed our certification as a Certified City of Ethics.

12.  Council and I cleared up the incorrect deed for the lot located beside of City Hall.  It now belongs to the City of West Buechel and is documented correctly.

13.  We provided a place for the Census Workers to set-up to aid citizens completing their reporting paperwork.

14.  Two years in a row, passed a budget on time.

15.  Held meetings with productive discussion, no fighting between members during council meeting. We no longer have embarrassing media coverage.

     These are just some of the things we have accomplished during their term, so as you have just heard, the incoming council members have big shoes to fill. Next month, we start a new year, council members start a new term of office, it will be time for them to roll up their sleeves, and continue moving the city forward in a positive, productive way.

     I'm so proud of the team and our accomplishments.

     John, Bonnie, and Brandi have been such valuable members of our team for which they will be sorely missed. It is my hope that you will stay involved as we move forward, and the FBI and Attorney General's investigation continues to progress, more of your input will most likely be needed.

      The Community Development is improving the City's resident's quality of life, it brings an infusion of energy and fresh ideas to improve the citizens engagement.

     West Buechel struggles to compete with other cities within Jefferson County Metro Government, we must continue to stay ahead or at least even with Metro Government. We were able to maintain the 10% Insurance Premium Tax that has been in effect since 1984 as Metro Government did not raise their rates.  As 2020 has demonstrated, there is an importance for attention to our daily lives, especially with the turbulent times it has presented to citizens, employees and yes, our government has been strongly impacted.

     The City's challenges are real, but we must continue to invest in our infrastructure, and our neighborhood. We have had a lot of catching up to do especially, when it comes to the infrastructure for that affects our residents (drainage), and city owned property (buildings) that has been uninvested in for many, many years. Going forward, we must push to correct these issues and make whole this community that has suffered for years.

     When we work together, as a team, we get positive results which creates new beginnings for our long-term residents and children alike, which are our future.

     May God bless and be with you during the next chapter of life.

 Welcome 

West Buechel is a city in Jefferson County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 1,301 at the 2000 census. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.6 square miles (1.6 km2), all of it land.