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This is the last newsletter for this year. How quickly 2008 has gone by,
and now that we are in December, we want to wish you a very happy
holiday season.
Election Results
While the National election outcome may not have suited everyone, the
Indian Hills election results turned out well for all. As we mentioned in
our last newsletter, we had nine candidates for nine offices. We also
informed you that Councilman Bob Murphy did not wish reelection, and
Steve Gruebbel will join the Board. We welcome Steve to the Council
Board and extend our best wishes to Bob Murphy, who has served Indian
Hills with dedication since the merging of our four cities in 1999.
City Activities Revisited
- Octoberfest
Our 24th Octoberfest was held on the first Sunday of October and
was a resounding success. More residents, more children, more
food, more activities than ever before! The weather was perfect
and a good time was had by all. As Board members, we cannot
wait to see what Public Works Director Jim Graven and City Clerk
Betty Guelich have in store for our 25th Octoberfest on October 4,
2009. Please mark your calendars now!
- Shredding
Once again we extend a big thank you to Wilson Muir Bank on St.
Matthews Avenue who sponsored our City-wide paper shredding
on October 13. This event appears to be more popular each year,
and hopefully we will be able to do this again in 2009. We will, of
course, keep you informed.
F.Y.I.
- Tax Bills
The tax bills were mailed in mid-October and must be paid by
December 31, 2008, in order to receive the discount.
We are pleased to advise you that our tax collection rate for 2007
has only two delinquencies totaling about $150, so we feel our rate
has been very good.
- Finances
With all the talk about deficits on a national and state basis, we
want to assure you that the City of Indian Hills is in excellent
financial shape. We operate with a balanced budget; we have rainy
day funds, should some unexpected expense arise, and we have a
Police Department that operates within its budget which affects our
City budget. Chief Kelly Spratt does an excellent job of
controlling police expenses, and Councilman Lyle Spalding, our
City's financial man, does wonderful work in keeping his thumb
on our City's finances.
As you know, our City was hit by a hurricane! Who would have
"thunk it." We did great work in the cleanup process, but it was at
significant expense. Indian Hills has been declared a disaster area
by FEMA and we are told that we will be able to recover about
87% of what we spent - 75% from the federal government, and
12% from the state. This is great news for us and certainly helps
us stay within our budget.
- Insurance Premium Fees
The above two items, Taxes and Finances, are affected by our
insurance premium fees. As you may or may not know, 10% of
our income ($100,000) comes from insurance premium fees.
Many of us have recently received messages from our insurance
companies advising of this insurance premium fee that is sent to
your local government. It is imperative that you notify all
insurance companies that YOUR local government is the City of
Indian Hills. If you do not tell them, the insurance premium fees
will go to Metro Government, which does NOT provide your
services; the City of Indian Hills does.
[Please see http://www.indianhillsky.org/taxes.htm for additional information and a link which will allow you to print notification stickers if you have access to Microsoft Word.]
- City Entrances
The upgrading of the corner of Chenoweth Lane and Old
Brownsboro Rd. has been significant and extremely helpful for our
residents. However, there is more to come.
Possibly between now and the end of winter there will be work
done in the form of widening Chenoweth Lane on both sides of Brownsboro Road. What is going to happen is the creation of
designated left turn lanes on both north and southbound
Chenoweth Lane. This will enhance the already improved traffic
flow.
There has been preliminary work on the Old Brownsboro entrance
next to the Highland Cleaners, but the design has not been
finalized.
Also for your information, in the next few months turn lanes will
be installed on Brownsboro Road at Country Lane. This should
also be a big improvement to our City.
Our Metro Councilman Ken Fleming has been instrumental in this
process and does his usual good work for the residents of indian
Hills. It has been a pleasure for us to work with him because he
does an excellent job of getting things done!
- Brownsboro Inn
The old Brownsboro Inn at Rudy Lane and US42, as we are sure
you have noticed, has been razed, and as we understand it, the
Fresh Market should be started in the near future.
- Rumpke
Attached to this newsletter is Rumpke Sanitation's holiday
schedule for 2009. [Click on Holiday Schedule.]
Also, as we discuss Rumpke, our contract with them ends in 2009
and we are in the process of preparing requests for bids for this
waste removal service. This will take place over the next few
months.
Christmas Tree Pickup
There is a change in Christmas tree pickups this year. Normally
there is a date designated when our trees have to be placed
curbside for pickup. However, this year Rumpke will pick them up
on any of the regular garbage collection days after Christmas. So,
if you do not take down your tree until March, it will still be picked
up if you put it curbside.
City Officials
Attached to this newsletter is a list of all your City officials
including our Attorney, Public Works Director and City Clerk and
the phone numbers at which they can be reached. [Click on City Officials.]
Also attached is a list showing our scheduled Board meeting dates
for 2009. These meetings begin at 6:00 p.m. at the Louisville Boat
Club and are open to the public. However, if you have any reason
to want to be on the meeting agenda, please call our City Clerk,
Betty Guelich to be included. [Click on Meetings.]
Cops Corner
by Chief Kelly W. Spratt
Crime Prevention
During the holiday season, it is typical for our area to see an increase in
certain crimes, such as car break-ins and residential burglaries. Although
it is always important to follow the tips listed below, it may be more so
during this time. Criminals will take every advantage available; therefore,
we must make it as difficult as possible.
At Home
- Use your burglar alarm system while you are away and when you
are in for the night
- Make sure all doors and windows are locked
- Leave an interior light on while you are out for the evening
- Use exterior lighting at night
- If you are going out of town, request a house watch from the
Indian Hills Police
In Your Vehicle
- Make sure the doors are locked at all times
- Remove any valuables (purse, briefcase, cell phone, holiday gifts),
or secure them in your trunk
- Secure your garage door openers (to prevent residential burglary)
- If parking outside, park your vehicle near an exterior light of your
home
We can fight crime together by sharing information. I strongly encourage
every resident to sign up for our crime alert e-mail list. This service is
free, fast and efficient. It allows our department to distribute crime
information, sometimes including suspect descriptions. Please visit the
department's website at http://www.ihpd.org, click on the "Crime Alert" tab at the top of the page, and follow the instructions. [For a direct link, click here.]
Traffic Enforcement
The Police Department has received numerous complaints of speeding in
the City, particularly along Indian Hills Trail. Officers will be increasing
their enforcement based on these complaints. Please keep in mind that if
you are in violation (of speeding or any other offense) you will be cited.
ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS
ENJOY YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS
AND
HAVE A GREAT 2009!
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