RICHMOND—Ad valorem taxes and an ordinance allowing qualified manufactured homes in single-family residential areas were given first readings during the Commission's regular meeting last week.

But first, a moment of silence was held in memory of six citizens from Madison County who lost their lives in a plane crash on August 27, 2006. 

Thursday marked 20 years since Comair Flight 5191, bound for Atlanta, crashed during take off at Blue Grass Airport after the pilot, Captain Jeffrey Clay guided his co-pilot, First Officer James Polehinke, onto a runway that was too short for lift off, and the plane overran the tarmac, crashed into a fence and trees, before bursting into flames.

Mayor Robert Blythe referenced how Commissioner Mike Brewer was a paramedic at the time.

"He was called upon that morning ... only to be told what, Mike?" Blythe asked Brewer after the moment of reflection.

"They didn't need us," Brewer said. 

"That they didn't need them. There was nobody who survived." Blythe said. (Ed. note: Polehinke was the sole survivor.)

Brian Byrd, Cecile Moscoe, Lynda McKee, Judy Rains, Carole Bizzack, and Vickey Washington from Madison County were among the 47 passengers and two crew members who died. There is a memorial at the entrance of Lake Reba honoring their lives.

“Our thoughts and prayers remain with the families and friends of those aboard Flight 5191 and with those who responded on that morning,” Blythe said. 

Presentations

The Commission recognized Bourbon Barrel Beef, a new business in Richmond which sells farm-raised beef as well as pork, chicken, and other beef products like jerky. Their prices are comparable and competitive with grocery store beef prices, owner Shelly Harrison told the Commission. 

AppalRed, a private non-profit law firm that provides free civil legal services to low-income and vulnerable individuals, will be hosting a workshop on Wednesday, October 7, at the Richmond Madison County Public Library, from 10 am to 2 pm. 

Immediate legal assistance on wills and estate planning, heirs’ property issues, property ownership documentation, and disaster-related legal issues will be available. Walk-ins are welcome but registering for the workshop guarantees same-day legal services, a project director at AppalRed, Whitney Bailey, told The Edge after the presentation.

For more information or to register, call: 844-478-0099.

Outside of the workshop, citizens needing legal assistance with family law, public benefits, health care, expungements, consumer rights, bankruptcy, landlord or tenant disputes, or foreclosure can visit their website to request free legal aid.

Ordinances

A second reading of Ordinance 26-24 giving residents of Baker Court parking permits passed unanimously in a roll call vote. Commissioner Mendi Goble was absent.  Residents of the Baker Court neighborhood had petitioned the City for the permits because college rentals made it difficult to find parking, The Edge previously reported. 

Ordinance 26-25, outlining the City’s ad valorem (real and property) tax rate for 2026 received its first reading. The tax rate is 0.155 cents per every $100 of assessed value for personal property, an increase of 0.18 cents over last year. Real property is now 0.11 cents per every $100 of assessed value (a tenth of 1% decrease) and motor-vehicles are the same at 0.287 cents per $100 of assessed value.

Taxes must be paid by December 31. After January 1, late payment will result in a 10% penalty and an interest rate of 15% per annum until paid. Tax bills paid before November 1 will receive a 2% discount. 

City Manager Rob Minerich said that taxable property assets across the City increased from $79 million to $86 million since last year. 

The Commission also heard a first reading of Ordinance 26-26, which regulates compatibility standards for manufactured homes within residential neighborhoods. The action complies with a new state law intended to address the state's housing shortage by mandating jurisdictions to allow qualified manufactured homes in all residential zones.

Existing compatibility standards set by deeds, home owners associations, historic protections and covenants are not affected by this law, according to The ordinance will be enforced by Building Inspections and Planning and Zoning, according to City Attorney Chris Johnson.

Standards such as foundation skirting material restrictions also ensure the qualified manufactured homes will match the character of the surrounding neighborhood, he said. The roof pitch has to be a minimum of 7 inches on the vertical rise per 12 horizontal feet, equaling an angle of 30.26 degrees. 

The ordinance only applies to qualified manufactured homes. Per Kentucky statute, a qualified manufactured home cannot be more than 5 years old on the date of installation. It must be affixed to a permanent foundation with access to utilities and meet certain measurements for size. 

Orders

The Commission unanimously passed Order 26-131, allowing the City police department to auction off surplus vehicles online at govdeals.com.

Blythe asked why the vehicles were not sold back to Enterprise Fleet Management. City Manager Rob Minerich said that the vehicles were too old and had little value, thus auctioning them online was the better option.

Earlier this year, the City approved a contract which leases the Police Department’s vehicles from Enterprise. Each vehicle has a five year lease. After the lease expires, Enterprise sells the vehicle for the City and the money goes toward lease payments or back into the General Fund. 

Order 26-132 regarding a change order for the Richmond Regional Sports Complex was tabled at Minerich’s request due to “incorrect information”, although he did not specify what was incorrect. The Complex is expected to be completed in October, The Edge previously reported.

Order 26-137 giving a 10-day grace period for payments made through the United States Postal Services was also tabled to the next regular meeting. Richmond Utilities General Manager Scott Althauser wanted the order to clarify that the grace period only applies to payments for the City and not payments for Richmond Utilities. 

Retirement

Ceremonial Orders 26-132 and 26-138 were read to commemorate the retirement of Cecil Shuman in the Vehicle Maintenance Department and Russell Barrett in the Public Works Department

Non-profits can earn $100 per mile of trash picked up as part of the City’s Trash for Cash program, according to Minerich. Applications can be found online on the City’s website. “It is a good way to raise money and it helps our community as well,” Minerich said. 

Next, the Commission entered into executive session to discuss a real estate transaction. No action was taken.

These are some highlights from the August 25, 2026 Richmond City Commission meeting. For agenda and minutes of all Commission meetings, visit the City's website. To watch live streams or previously recorded City meetings, visit the City's YouTube channel and choose the "live" tab.