Florence City Council September 1

3. Special Meeting: Mayor and all council members were present. Video.
4. OATH OF OFFICE: Police Department
   Haley Ransler promoted to police corporal. Captain Reddick introduced the promotion. He stated that Officer Haley Ransler has served the department a little over five years; she has served as a field training officer, is assigned to the crime scene unit, is a drone operator, and is a RAD instructor for women’s self-defense. Corporal Ransler introduced family present: her mother Linda, father John, older sister Paige, younger sister Megan, and Megan’s twin sister.
5. SECOND READING ORDINANCE O-21-2026: 2026 Tax Rates

An Ordinance Relating to the levying of a Tax Upon Real Estate and Personal Property in the City of Florence, Kentucky; Levying a tax on all franchises taxable within the City of Florence, Kentucky; Specifying payment dates, discounts and penalties for the franchise tax on financial institutions measured by the deposits in the institutions located within the city; and Levying a special tax for the payment of current service costs for police and firemen in the County Employees Retirement System. (2026)

The ordinance was read in summary. Rates stated on the record:

• General-purpose real property: 18.7 cents per $100 of assessed value
• Personal property (except motor vehicles and watercraft) and franchises: 22.6 cents per $100
• Additional special tax for CERS current service costs for police and fire: 2.7 cents ($0.027) per $100 on the same classes
• Financial-institution franchise tax on deposits: 0.025 percent (25 thousandths of 1 percent), pursuant to prior ordinance and KRS 136.575

Payment terms stated: taxes due upon final passage and publication; 2% discount if paid in full by November 1, 2026; after January 1, 2027, 12% penalty plus 12% annual interest. Corresponding dates, discount, and penalty apply to the bank-deposit franchise tax (discount if paid before December 31, 2026; penalty after January 31, 2027).

Motion to approve: Mr. Wynn. Second: Ms. Wingo.

The Mayor stated the ordinance represents an 8% reduction in the real-estate tax rate for the coming year, made possible because assessments increased approximately 8%, so the rate reduction is the companion action.

Council questions and staff responses

Ms. Cable asked how last week’s presentation on industrial revenue bonds (IRBs) and PILOT incentives would affect the 2026 tax rate.

Staff (Josh Hunt and Finance Director Jason Lewis) responded that a project of that size would typically take about two years to build out and would not appear in the current-year rate. A PILOT reduces the rate applied to the higher post-construction assessment, so the City still gains tax base. Until reassessments occur, the precise calculation is unknown. Mr. Lewis noted that this year deletions exceeded additions. He offered to review how the existing Turfway PILOT has affected assessments. Staff added that after an IRB expires, the property is taxed at the full rate, and incentive agreements contain callback provisions if jobs or assessment targets are not met.

No further council comments were offered. Motion passed 6-0.

6. CLOSED SESSION: The Mayor stated there was no need for a closed session.
7. ADJOURNMENT

Council candidates Joe Berkshire, Shari Kilmer, and Jim Leach were present for the meeting.