Union City Commission February 3
Staff attendees: Mayor Larry Solomon, City Attorney Greg VossBine, City Administrator Amy Safron, City Clerk Tammy Wilhoite; Public Service Director Paul Kremer
The meeting was called to order at 6:30pm, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Solomon related that minutes for the January 8 special meeting and the January 22 caucus meeting were null and void due to the judgment by Judge Brueggemann to void the Union City Commission election held November 5, 2024. With this decision, John Mefford, Brian Garner and Eric Dulaney were ousted from their seats. Mr. Solomon began by saying he believed this went way too far and he regretted having to make this important decision. He said he chose the newly appointed commissioners to bring more harmony and professionalism to the Commission.
Solomon then accepted the resignation of George Eldridge from the Board of Adjustment.
Solomon named the following to the commission in this order: John Mefford, who was asked to name #2; Doug Bine, who was asked to name #3; and George Eldridge. Bine had asked if they could discuss it first in executive session and Mayor Solomon said no.
The following task appointments were made after the new commissioners were sworn in:
- Mefford: Fiscal Planning and Finance
- Bine: Public Works and Development
- Eldridge: Communication Committee
Solomon then asked the three commissioners to create a task force to name the fourth commissioner.
Monthly bills were discussed and the commission voted to pay them. Budget was discussed, profit and loss.
Resolution No. 2025-02 was presented and passed.
A resolution of the City of Union, Kentucky, opposing any bills brought forth during the 2025 Kentucky General Assembly session by any member of the Kentucky Legislature, in full or in part, that provides for the mandated centralized collection of local occupational fees/taxes by the Commonwealth of Kentucky or other third parties.
Public Comments
Jill, a resident of the City of Union, was upset that the election was thrown out and not repeated so the will of the people could be heard. She did an open records request to Justin Crigler requesting proof that the poll workers had been trained and was refused. She said she was told there were no records to prove that. She spoke to Justin Crigler at 3:30 pm on election day and he told her none of the poll workers had called in to report a problem.
District 60 Rep. Marianne Proctor spoke briefly to congratulate the new commissioners and give updates on House Bill 142, called the Squatters Bill, and an upcoming certificate of need bill.
Brian Garner spoke expressing his anger for not being chosen to serve on the commission. He told Mayor Solomon he felt betrayed and that he felt he had been “stabbed in the back.” He felt both he and Mr. Delaney should have been appointed as they had the votes to serve. He accused the mayor of stacking the commission with his friends. He was very upset and blew off quite a bit of steam. At the end the crowd erupted in applause for the only time during the evening.
Reporters and cameras from media stations WKRC (Local 12), WCPO (9) and WLWT (5) were present at the meeting. Upcoming dates for meetings were presented and the meeting was adjourned.