MULDRAUGH, KY — The City of Muldraugh is facing renewed scrutiny after a special city council meeting was called for the second reading and vote on Ordinance 393, which approves the city’s annual budget for Fiscal Year July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025. While the ordinance was officially approved during the meeting, residents are raising serious concerns about both the legitimacy of the process and the lack of transparency surrounding the vote.
The first reading of the budget ordinance, which took place on May 12, 2025, is now being called into question. According to multiple sources, the May 12 meeting was not properly posted in advance, a potential violation of Kentucky’s open meetings laws. If confirmed, this would render that first reading null and void, raising doubts about the legality of the second reading and vote that followed during the special meeting.
“That first reading was never properly advertised to the public,” said one resident. “If that meeting wasn’t legally held, how can the budget be legally approved?”
Even before the question of legality surfaced, public trust in the process had already taken a hit. The budget paperwork provided to both city council members and residents on May 12 consisted only of a broad summary — a general outline of expenditures and revenue projections without any detailed line-item breakdown.
A longtime resident formally filed an open records request seeking the full, detailed version of the budget. As of the time of the special meeting, that request remained unanswered, and the complete budget had not been made available to the public.
“It feels like they’re trying to rush this through without us seeing what’s really in it,” the resident said. “That’s not how democracy is supposed to work.”
City officials have not provided an explanation for why the detailed budget was withheld, nor have they addressed the legal concerns about the May 12 meeting. This has only added fuel to growing speculation that City Hall is attempting to hide something from the public.
Residents point to a pattern of questionable transparency and poor communication from city leadership over the past several years. From delayed responses to public records requests to vague council agendas, many in Muldraugh say this latest episode is just another example of a broader trust issue.
“Honesty and integrity are just words on paper unless they’re backed by action,” said one local business owner. “Right now, City Hall is acting like it has something to hide.”
Community members are now demanding that the city revisit the budget vote, ensure compliance with open meetings laws, and release the full, detailed budget to the public immediately. Some have even suggested the involvement of the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office to review whether the city’s actions violated any laws.
“This isn’t just a procedural issue,” said another resident. “This is about respect for the people of this city. If they’re making big decisions behind closed doors, we all deserve to know why.”
As questions continue to mount, one thing is clear: Muldraugh’s leadership is facing a crisis of public confidence, and residents aren’t letting this one go quietly.
This is a developing story. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
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