By Samantha Swindler / Managing Editor

Eight months after they first received an annexation request from the board of education, Corbin city commissioners moved to take the new Corbin Primary School into the city limits.

At its monthly meeting on Monday, city commissioners approved starting paperwork to annex approximately 70 school-owned acres at the intersection of Fifth Street Road and Black Diamond Road, along with the roadway and right-of-way of Fifth Street Road to the school.

“Corbin schools receive great benefits and quality services from the city of Corbin,” the BOE wrote to the city commission in May. “The members of the Corbin Board of Education desire for these services to be available at the new school. Future facility plans call for one and maybe two additional schools at this site.”

The school, which opened to students this school year, is approximately three miles from downtown Corbin and two miles from I-75 Exit 25.

Before approving the measure, commissioners discussed whether city services — specifically, police — would be able to handle the additional area. Commissioners said they believed the school district was currently paying Whitley County sheriff’s deputies to patrol during school release times.

“Does our normal shift, Carson, allow for enough manpower to have somebody (at the school)?” asked Commissioner Bruce Farris.

Police Chief Carson Mullins responded, “Probably not.”

In an interview after the meeting, Mullins said Corbin currently has two officers stationed at schools within the city limits during school arrival and release times.

“I’d say we’re eventually going to need additional manpower to cover that much territory out there,” Mullins said. “Because, as they brought up, if they annex the roads, that’s roads to and from that we’d have to cover.”

The annexation would mean Corbin police would be responsible for wrecks, speeding tickets or other incidents that occur on the roadway leading to the school, but residents along the road will continue to rely on the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department to respond to private property.

“If something happens, say, in their front yard that winds up in the road, then we would be obliged (to assist), or a situation where an officer is patrolling and something occurs in his presence, then we’re going to be handling that also,” Mullins said.

Commissioner Joe Shelton said that although the city would receive no property tax revenues from the annexation, occupational tax revenues from Corbin Primary employees should off-set costs to the city for serving the school.

City attorney Bob Hammons mentioned that the annexation had the support of the City Utilities Commission and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Hammons said KTC has plans to address some traffic problems at the primary school by adding turning lanes at the school entrance. Fifth Street Road will remain a state road even after annexation, meaning KTC will be responsible for funding any road maintenance or improvement.

“To me, it makes sense to, once we take it in, to see how it works, and then if it’s insufficient we need to address the problem at that time,” said City Manager Bill Ed Cannon, referring to the additional costs of police patrol in the area.

Lynch motioned to allow Hammons to begin paperwork needed for the annexation, and the measure was unanimously approved. Hammons said part of the reason the vote was delayed for several months was the need to “obtain a legal description for the property to be annexed.” That paperwork, he said, arrived just a few days ago. He said the planning and zoning commission would also have to meet on the issue before the school could be officially annexed.

In other business, the commission:

• Elected Bruce Farris, the highest vote-getter in November’s election, as mayor pro-tem.

• Approved paying the bills, including two additional payments on the water tower and backup generator at the new expo center.

• Hired Jeff Hill, Stephen Meadors and John Hill as new city police officers on a one-year probationary period, pending their successful completion of the 18-week police academy. The hires fill open positions and do not reflect an increase in total number of officers.

• Set pricing for copies of the city’s development ordinance book at $25 and the comprehensive plan for $15.

• Approved paying a $2,265 match so the Corbin Fire Department can receive a $43,035 grant from Homeland Security to purchase a thermal imaging camera, exercise equipment and extrication equipment.

• Approved a $334.77 tax refund to Grant Reed and a $79.03 tax refund to Johnny Eaton.

• Adopted three resolutions that give more accurate legal descriptions of previously annexed property.

•  Adopted resolutions placing Bruce Farris as a person authorized to sign on city bank accounts.

• Accepted the resignation of Joshua Smith from the public works department.

The commission also entered into closed executive session, where they are able to discuss personnel, pending litigation or purchase of property away from the public eye. They took no formal action on the discussion.