The Kentucky League of Cities is heading to Frankfort this week with a full legislative agenda. Near the top are two long standing issues: stabilization of funding for emergency 9-1-1 services, and giving cities the option of pursuing a local sales tax.
League Executive Director Jon Steiner says it's all about flexibility. "Local home rule for cities. Give cities options, so they don't have to go to Frankfort and beg for money. More tools in the toolbox, local stewardship, local control, let the citizens have a voice, and really let cities control their growth, their patterns, their destinies," said Steiner.
KLC Deputy Director J.D. Chaney says the league is seeking an increase in the monthly 9-1-1 fee for cell phone users. He says more than half of the funding now comes from existing sources. "And it is mainly coming out of general fund, diverting those resources that were typically used for other city services, public services for the community, because they don't have an effective way to replace that lost revenue coming from the landline," said Chaney.
The 9-1-1 support mechanism was established years ago for landline phones. With fewer landline services, the funding support has dwindled.
The Kentucky League of Cities would also like to see widespread availability for a local restaurant tax. Currently, only smaller Kentucky cities can take advantage of the tax.
League Deputy Executive Director J.C. Chaney says larger cities would like to have that flexibility. He says the issue goes beyond tourism promotion. "A portion of those revenues, rather than just on advertising and promotional activities, the cities would like to retain that, at least 75 percent of it to actually put into infrastructure type projects that are useful in drawing tourism," added Chaney.
Kentucky lawmakers return to Frankfort Tuesday to continue with the 2015 session.?
