News 

Police Promotion

Police Cars 
When driving through Franklin you may notice a new look.  The Franklin Police is undergoing a transformation.  The Agency recently purchased five new 2010 Ford Crown Victoria Cruisers and developed the new stripping for the cruisers.  Five of the existing police cruisers have had new stripping applied also.   Police Officers have also added ties, hats, and stripes on pants, buttons and a new patch design to their uniforms.  Chief Todd Holder said, “The Agency is very proud of the new professional look, and none of it would be possible without the steadfast commitment of the Mayor, City Commissioners and City Manager.” 

Police Officers Retire 
On December 31, 2009 two of Franklin's Finest retired from the Agency. Sergeant Tim Hackett U/912 a 29 year veteran and Senior Officer Steve Assmann U/907 a 22 year veteran, said goodbye, at a retirement dinner. The dinner was held at the Franklin Fire Station.  Several guests attended and the emotional farewell was a reminder to all who attended of the sacrifice and dedicated commitment that these two fine individuals bestowed upon the City of Franklin.  Chief Todd Holder said, "These two cannot be easily replaced and there 51 years of combined service is an accomplishment and a credit to their loyalty and commitment to service, they will be truly missed by all."

Mayor Brown Resigns, Accepts City Manager Position 
September 4, 2009

After six years and nearly eight months, Jim Brown has resigned as the Mayor of Franklin.  At a regularly scheduled City Commission meeting on Monday, August 24, 2009 Brown gave his resignation as Mayor and accepted the position of City Manager.  Brown assumed the duties of City Manager on September 1st. 

Brown is a 1972 graduate of Franklin-Simpson High School.  He earned a bachelor of science degree in industrial technology from Western Kentucky University in 1977.  He served as city commissioner in Woodburn from 1992-96, as a Simpson County magistrate representing the North District from 1999-2002 and as Mayor of Franklin from January 2003 to August 2009.  He is a member of the First United Methodist Church.

Commissioner Henry Stone will serve as Mayor Pro-Tem until the commission appoints a replacement to complete Brown’s term of office.

Fire Hydrants Repaired 
August 10, 2009

All fire hydrants within the city are now functional.  City crews have spent time over the last year working to make repairs on hydrants.  As of July 1, 2008, there were 70 hydrants within the city that were not functioning correctly.  Some needed minor repairs while others needed to be completely replaced. As of August 7, 2009 all of those hydrants have been repaired and/or replaced and are working correctly.  Approximately $15,000 was spent making the needed repairs.  The repairs were made utilizing City Staff of the Public Works Department.  Employees involved in the repairs were Paul Robey, Terry Bailey, Chad Moody, Jason May, with Jason Simmons supervising the project.

Employees Obtain Drinking Water Certification 
July 28, 2009

Two city employees have received their Drinking Water Class 1 Certification.  Jason May and Chad Moody, service maintenance technicians for the City of Franklin have received their license.  The Class 1 Certification is the first of three Certifications that can be received by Water Distribution employees.  May has been an employee of the Public Works Department for 8 years and Moody has been an employee for one year. 

In order to obtain the prestigious certification from the Kentucky Division of Water, employees must have worked in a water department for at least one year, attend a four day class and pass a certification test.  They are also required to have twelve hours of continuing education units to maintain their certification.

City Streets Paved 
July 1, 2009

Eight city streets were recently paved.  Each year, the city public works superintendent over the street department, inspects all the city streets using a “street management software” to survey the condition of the streets.  The results of the detailed survey are entered into a database that combines the survey results with the age of the pavement, pavement type, pavement condition and traffic volumes.  The information calculates the Pavement Condition Index (PCI).  The end result is a PCI for each street segment in the city.  The higher the PCI, the better the road condition. 

The streets that were recently paved include:  Cherry Street, Darrell Avenue, Powell Street, Rogers Avenue, Lone Oak Drive, Johnson Street, Tulip Drive, and Church Street.  Funding to pave the streets comes from the State through the Municipal Aid funding mechanism.  Those funds come from the fuel taxes collected by the state.

Water and Sewer Rate Increase
June 22, 2009

On Monday, June 22, 2009, the Franklin City Commission unanimously passed second reading of an ordinance adopting a water and sewer rate increase of almost 31 percent.  The increase will begin July 1st and raises the monthly bill for an average customer using 5,000 gallons of water per month by $12.70.  The rate increase was needed due to a drop in water revenue, improvements to the water and sewer system and bond debt coverage. 

2009-2010 City Budget is Adopted
June 22, 2009

On Monday, June 22, 2009 the Franklin City Commission approved the second reading of an ordinance adopting the city’s operating budget for fiscal year 2009-2010.  The budget does not include raises for city employees. 

The general fund projects revenue at $5,358,243 with appropriations of $5,204,739.  Anticipated general fund revenue includes $3,303,738 from licenses and fees, $893,000 from intragovernmental revenues, $742,272 from taxes, $391,175 in non-operating revenue and $27,750 from fines and forfeits.

The projected general fund appropriations include $1,848,668 for the police department, $1,590,757 for operation of general government, $803,418 for public services, $283,472 for debt service, $272,972 for capital outlay, $243,245 for community services and $162,207 for the fire department.

The utility fund anticipates revenue of $5,808,665 which includes $4,709,119 in operating revenue and $1,099,546 in non-operating revenue.  The new water and sewer rate increases are expected to bring in an additional $1,044,000.

Projected utility fund appropriations total $4,838,277 and includes $2,358,827 for municipal utilities, $1,543,290 for debt service and $936,160 for capital outlay.

The sanitation fund projects revenue of $1,067,472 most of which comes from charges for trash collection.  It project appropriations of $913,205 to the holder of the sanitation contract and transfers out of $150,000 for a change in fund balance of $4,267.

The new fiscal year begins July 1.

Police Office Memorial Week
May 15, 2009

The week of May 11-15 was Police Officer Memorial Week.  Friday, May 15th was Police Officer Memorial Day.  On this day, agencies across the nation recognize officers that have fallen.  The Franklin Police Department held a special Police Officer Awards Ceremony to honor officers of the agency that have gone above and beyond the normal call of duty. 

Sergeant Scott Wade received the Medal of Bravery
Officer David Hutcheson received the Medal of Valor
Lieutenant Art McFadden and Officer Steve Assmann received the Purple Heart
Sergeant Wayne May, Sergeant Tim Hackett and retired chief Jamie Powell received the       Honorable Service Medal

As part of the ceremony, Franklin Police Chief Todd Holder gave an opening speech, Chaplain Kenny Dale Reeves said a prayer, and Detective Greg Dukes with the Kentucky State Police was the key note speaker.