The Murray City Council passed its new annual budget on June 11, which will take effect July 1, with other items of business such as building fee permit increases and modular home redefinitions.
Director of Finance Jody Hicks told the council the budget for fiscal year 2027 has not changed since it was presented for first reading last month, with tax rates unchanged and expenses are “similar” to the last year.
Hicks told council members their packets for the budget included pay classifications pay raises discussed during the May meeting.
“I believe that our employees of the city deserve these raises,” said Council Member Terry Strieter. “Thank you.”
The vote to pass the FY 2027 budget, identified as Ordinance 2026-1890 on the agenda, was unanimous.
Other business included the second reading of ordinances related to building permit fees and the regulation of qualified manufactured homes.
Ordinance 2026-1888 amended building permit fees, which Project Manager Marissa Stewart said had not been updated since June 2003. The buildings affected by the amendment include residential dwellings, assembly, business, education, industrial factories, warehouses and all other non-residential buildings.
The new ordinance added a site plan review fee of $100 will be assessed for the first two submissions, $50 for any additional submissions. The ordinance also includes other review fees for sprinkler heads, fire detection, dry chemical systems, as well as construction and alterations of structures.
The ordinance increased the minimum charge for building permits on one- and two-family dwellings $150 plus $10 per additional 100 square feet and alterations to one- and two-family dwellings to $100 plus $20 per additional 100 square feet. Additional increases include permits for above-ground pools ($50), in-ground pools ($100), metal carports ($50); demo permits increased to $50, and the maximum penalty will be $1,000 per day to match the law.*
The vote to pass Ordinance 2026-1888 was unanimous.
Ordinance 2026-1889 concerned qualified manufactured homes, single-family dwellings, modular homes and temporary storage containers, such as Pods.
Director of Planning Carol Downey explained that the passage of House Bill 160 requires the city to amend the zoning ordinance. The bill created a new definition of a “qualified manufactured home” and limits how the dwellings may or may not be regulated.
Per the legislation, manufactured homes cannot be excluded from any residential zone where single-family residences are permitted; however, Downey noted that none of the changes will affect or modify restrictions already contained in recorded deeds, covenants, developer’s subdivision restrictions or the historical district.
Qualified manufactured homes would still be required to be in accordance with the National Manufacturing Home Construction and Safety stands act of 1974, 42 U.S.C Section 5401.
The ordinance also provides a definition for modular homes as well as temporary storage containers. While there are no changes in the regulations regarding modular homes, the ordinance does add regulations regarding the use of temporary storage containers in residential zones, establishing time limitations and permit fees.
Council Member Terry Streiter said he assumed the intent behind the legislation was to address the “vast shortage” of affordable housing. Piggy-backing off Streiter’s comment, Council Member Wesly Bolin thanked Downey and her staff for their work on the ordinance.
“Like Dr. Streeter said, affordable housing is a national crisis, and that's also true of Murray,” Bolin said, noting that only about 40% of Murray’s residents are homeowners. “That's a rate a lot lower than many other communities, and a big part of that is that smaller homes, like many people formerly lived in, just aren't built anymore. … I'm really proud of this ordinance, and I think it's an important first step to make affordable housing more of a reality.”
In other business, the council also made several appointments.
Scott Adair appointed to be the city’s cannabis administrator. Mayor Bob Rogers said he anticipated the medical cannabis dispensary, which is owned by KY Murray Dispensary LLC d/b/a Nature Med and will be located at 1300 N 16th St., will be opening soon and an administrator to oversee the program was necessary.
Rickie Spann was appointed to Property Valuation Board of Assessment Appeals for a three-year term, expiring June 12, 2029. Abdul Yarali was appointed to a four-year term on the Electric Plant Board effective July 1, with his term expiring on July 1, 2030.
Donnie Winchester was re-appointed to the Housing Authority Board for a four-year term, ending June 20, 2030, and Craig Schwettman was re-appointed to the Architectural Review Board for a three-year term, expiring June 22, 2029.
The city council scheduled a special called meeting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 18, to hold the first reading of a proposed data center ordinance.
The next regular council meeting will be at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 9.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story misstated one of the building permit fees approved by the Murray City Council. The fee is $20, not $200. The incorrect amount was stated during the council meeting.
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