Council Sets Tax Rates

The Brandenburg City Council set the 2026 tax rates for real and personal property during their regular meeting Monday night (8/11).

The Council voted to approved the compensating rate which sets the tax rate for real property at 0.172 cents per $100 of assessed value, and 0.3206 cents per $100 of assessed value for personal property. The motor vehicle and watercraft will remain at 32.80 cents per $100 of assessed value which remains unchanged.

The council recognized Dalton and Madison Morgan as the August Yard of the Month recipient. Council members heard a presentation from Meade County Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Martin explaining the current construction project at the Meade County High School campus.

The council met during a closed session to discuss personnel pursuant to KRS 61.810(1)(F). No action was taken after the 20 minute closed session.

Bric Pace was sworn in as a new Sergeant of the Brandenburg Police Department. City Attorney Jessica Roberts administered the oath of office as his family watched. Officer Pace recently resigned from the Meade County Sheriff’s Office as a detective. Officer Pace will begin his duties on Tuesday (8/12).

Council members heard from Kimberly Barnes who represents a tenant’s union at Maple Grove Apartments regarding maintenance issues at the apartment complex. She listed several issues that property management has yet to resolve despite tenant’s efforts to find a resolve. She again asked the council to provide some assistance to their issues. City leaders attempted to explain their wasn’t much that the city can do other than guide them to other agencies to find answers to their concerns. The group asked for the council to consider adding an ordinance and code enforcement officer to address existing facility issues. City Attorney Roberts explained the city has adopted the current state building codes and pointed out the group has pending litigation in relations to the compliant. The council took no action on the issue.

At the end of the meeting during council comments, Councilwoman Donna Brown asked for a closed session to gain information related to a pending lawsuit against the city. City Attorney Roberts interjected that it would not be appropriate for the council to enter into a closed session as there wasn’t a need for the council to discuss strategy in relation to the matter. Councilwoman Brown stated that the council had not received any notification or information related to lawsuit. Roberts provided a general overview of the matter in question and identified plaintiff as NCR Shop LLC, which is owned and operated by Brown’s son-in-law, who is challenging the city’s regulatory alcohol fee and seeks to set aside the regulatory fee and obtain reimbursement of the paid fees and attorney fees related to the lawsuit. Roberts said the lawsuit has not yet been ruled on by the judge. Mayor David Pace said City Attorney Roberts has handled everything that has needed to be done.

You can watch the entire regular meeting of the Brandenburg City Council in the “On Demand” section.