City Commission Approves Changes To Water Tower Logo Project, New Utility Rates
The Harrodsburg Herald/Robert Moore
Contractors are working on the water tower overlooking Mercer County Senior High School.
Robert Moore
Herald Staff
[email protected]
The Harrodsburg City Commission voted unanimously—after another extensive debate—to allow changes to the logos being painted on the Industry Road water tower.
Last month, the commission voted to allow Mercer County Schools to paint their logo on the tower. The cost to add the logo will be paid by Mercer Schools. At the city commission’s regular meeting on Monday, June 10, Jay Anderson, district instructional technology coach and assistant athletic director with the Mercer County School District, told the board about a problem.
“There is a pipe in the way of the logo,” said Anderson, who brought pictures of what would be on the water tower.
“Instead of putting Harrodsburg on the tower, we would put the logo on the tower,” said Commissioner Marvin “Bubby” Isham, who originally brought the proposal before the commission.
While the placement of the school district’s logo on the water tower has been the subject of considerable conversation over the past few weeks, Anderson said it had been in discussion for years.
“It symbolizes a great sense of pride,” he said, noting that other school districts also had their logos painted on water towers. “It also acts as a good marker for people trying to find the school.”
Anderson said they’d like the school logo to be at 3 to 9 o’clock.
After discussion with City Attorney Norrie Currens, the commission voted to rescind the prior vote and voted to readjust the school logo so that it would be visible on the Industry Road side.
“It would be interesting to be able to see an artist’s rendition with the two logos,” Mayor Bob Williams said.
The mayor said the main thing he was thinking about, was making sure everyone could see the city logo, especially with the 250th celebrations ongoing.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing. I would like to have all three tanks showing 250 years,” Williams said. “Is there anyway to do that?”
“Honestly, I feel like it would be fine,” said Commissioner Missy Banks. “There are so many 250th signs. I don’t think anyone will miss one sign.”
“How much time do we have?” asked Commissioner Charlie Mattingly.
Currens said the contractor, Currens Construction Services, which is owned by Terry Currens, was on hold, waiting for their decision. The commission voted to put the Mercer logo on the tank so it’s visible from Industry Road and the bypass, with Williams voting no and Mattingly abstaining.
“I just want to set the record straight. I don’t want anybody to get the idea that the city commission is not behind the school,” Williams said.
“Civic pride is one of the things that’s been severely lacking in a lot of communities around the country,” Williams said. “I just want to make sure that when we do this, we’re doing it for the right reasons and in the right way.”
The commission then discussed using the city logo’s “H” logo instead of the Harrodsburg name.
“What do you think would look better on the tank?” Isham asked.
Currens said the overflow pipe would distort the city’s name. The H logo would not run into problems with the overflow pipe. It would be visible on the Moberly Road side because of the pipe.
Anderson showed them a picture of the logo painted on the tower near Corning. “It just won’t be as big,” he said.
“I like the “H,”” Williams said. “I can probably live with that.”
The commission voted unanimously to proceed with the H logo and Harrodsburg’s establishment date, 1774.
In other business, the Harrodsburg City Commission:
• Gave first reading to ordinance 2024-04, outlining nonrecurring charges assessed by the city water department, raising the reconnection fee from $35 to $50 and the nonpayment for North Mercer Water District from $85 to $100. The water district charges the city $50. It also establishes a returned check fee of $0. If given second reading, the revisions will take effect July 1.
• Gave first reading to ordinance 2024–15, increasing sewer rates in accordance with the annual consumer price index for 2023. If approved, the minimum charge of $16.82 for the first 250 gallons would increase to $17.44. If given second reading, the revised rates will take effect July 1.
• Gave first reading to ordinance 2024-16, increasing water rates in accordance with the annual CPI. If approved, the minimum water bill for 250 gallons per month would increase from $13.97 to $14.44. If given second reading, the revised rates will take effect July 1.
