Hawesville Council appoints new member at monthly meeting

The Hawesville City Council met Tuesday, May 12, and appointed a new council member. A plaque was presented to longtime Councilman Wayne Herndon, who resigned at last month’s meeting after 27 years of service.

Herndon’s grandson, Chase Herndon, was appointed to fill the vacant seat for the remainder of his four-year term, which ends this year. Hawesville Mayor Rob McCormick praised Herndon’s hard work and dedication to the city during his nearly 30 years on the council.

Hawesville Police Chief B.J. Burton reported 27 traffic stops, eight citations and three motor vehicle accidents for the month. Burton also attended a vehicle operations class. The department received a handheld speed radar at no cost.

City Manager Jake Powers reported that City Clerk Amy Roberts completed and submitted the 2025 Uniform Financial Information Report, or UFIR. He said auditors updated him and Roberts on the filing, and they are waiting on a response.

The UFIR is a financial report that Kentucky cities must submit by May 1 each year to the Department for Local Government. It outlines the city’s income, expenditures, cash on hand and outstanding debt. The report is one of the documents the state reviews when awarding certain grants and road funds.

Powers also reported that work needs to begin on the Phase One funding for the Bridge Approach Project and that the city is waiting on the final Area Development Fund, or AED, quote. The AED program helps local governments pay for infrastructure projects that support growth and development.

The Bridge Approach Project is scheduled to begin in September 2026. Crews will start work once funding is released, and the first phase will focus on relocating utilities. That includes moving several water lines that run up the corridor to the top of Town Hill. Some of those lines date back to 1953 and will be replaced as part of the project. McCormick said the improvements will be a major benefit to the city once they are complete.

The city announced that beginning July 1, 2026, all Automated Clearing House, or ACH, payments made through the online system will include a $1.50 fee. The charge is being added by the payment processing company.

Customers who want to cancel automatic ACH payments may log in to their online account at hawesville.us and update their settings. The city will continue to accept cash and check payments at City Hall and in the drop box on the side of the building.

Residents who need help accessing their online account may call the office at 270-927-8707.

Hawesville Superintendent Brian Patterson reported that the crew hauled off just under $3,000 in scrap. The team completed all but one item on its project list for the month, and a contractor is scheduled to finish the remaining job.

Patterson said the sewer plant digester is now close to empty, allowing workers to make repairs to bring it back to full capacity.

Council members discussed the Municipal Road Aid program agreement. A motion by Councilman Daniel Doyle, seconded by Councilman Kevin Linn, passed unanimously.

The council also approved a resolution adopting a cemetery plot payment policy. Members agreed to revise the agreement to state that “The agreement may be canceled by City Council” instead of “The agreement may be canceled by City.” They also changed the wording on at-need burials to say “At-need burials (time of death) will require full payment” instead of “At-need burials (time of death) may require full payment prior to burial unless otherwise approved by the City.”

City Attorney Jamie Stephens gave the first reading of the annual budget for the 2026-07 fiscal year. Council members discussed details of the proposed spending plan. McCormick noted that funds carried over from the previous year were higher than before.

Councilman Tyler O’Bryan asked about a $25,000 line item, which was explained as the CAT backhoe lease.

City Attorney Stephens also delivered the second reading of the amended 2025-26 annual budget. A motion by Councilman Doyle, seconded by Councilman O’Bryan, to approve Ordinance 2026-01 passed unanimously.