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The Stanford City Council held its regular monthly meeting on February 13, covering a range of topics, including updates on the Volunteers of America’s recovery programs, the creation of a new water commission, and concerns over state control of local occupational taxes.

Volunteers of America expands recovery efforts

Volunteers of America (VOA), provided an update on the organization’s efforts in Lincoln County. VOA has invested $1.8 million into the region, creating 12 jobs and expanding addiction recovery services, including the Freedom House program, which allows mothers to bring their children to treatment.

“Addiction is a generational issue, and we’re working to stop that cycle,”  “Our goal is to maintain communication with program graduates for at least two years, which greatly improves their long-term success.”

The Freedom House, located at the site of the old hospital, was initially expected to be renovated. However, due to structural issues, the building had to be demolished, and VOA will now construct a new facility from the ground up.

Additionally, VOA is considering adding affordable housing on the property for individuals transitioning out of recovery programs. Council members expressed support for the initiative, though they noted zoning adjustments may be required.

 

Water commission moves forward

The council unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance to create the U.S. 150 Corridor Water Commission, which aims to improve water supply infrastructure for multiple communities, including Stanford, Crab Orchard, Mount Vernon, and others.

Mayor Dalton Miller emphasized that the commission would manage the new water line independently, ensuring no additional burden on local water departments.

“This is a long-term investment in our region,” Miller said. “With this pipeline, we’ll have emergency access to water if we face another drought or infrastructure failure.”

City opposes state-controlled occupational tax collection

The council also passed a resolution opposing proposed state legislation that would centralize the collection of local occupational taxes under state control.

Council members raised concerns that such a system could reduce local oversight and complicate tax reconciliation.

“This isn’t going to save cities money,” said Mayor Miller. “Businesses would still have to submit reports to us for verification, meaning we’d still have the same workload.”

The resolution aligns with efforts from the Kentucky League of Cities, which has urged municipalities to push back against the proposal.

 

 Appointments and community updates

The council approved several board appointments:

• Don Adkins was appointed to the ambulance board.
• Katrina Sanders, Treva Hebert, and Susan Miller were appointed to the ethics board.

Additionally, members discussed ongoing road and traffic concerns, including improvements at the Walmart traffic light on U.S. 150 and an emergency repair request for Cut-Off Street due to roadway collapse.

 

Upcoming events

• February 22 at 2 p.m.: The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) will hold a monument dedication ceremony recognizing a Revolutionary War battle site in Stanford.
• February 19: City employee training banquet at Lincoln County High School cafeteria at 6 p.m.

The next council meeting is scheduled for March 13.