Hopkinsville Mayor Dan Kemp gave a positive update concerning the city during tonight’s first city council meeting for 2012.

Mayor Kemp first announced a ribbon cutting for newly expanded Cumberland Hall, which he says will create about 80 new jobs.

Meanwhile, Mayor Kemp spoke about the city collecting more payroll tax collections than what was budgeted for the last fiscal year.

During council member comments, Ward 8 Councilwoman Marby Schlegel made the suggestion to eliminate committee of the whole and replace it when several subcommittees.

According to Schlegel, council members would have more opportunities to meet with department heads and discuss issues concerning the city.

In other business, city council re-elected Ward 12 Councilman Phillip Brooks as Committee of the Whole Chairman on a 7 to 5 vote, with council members Paul Henson, Charlie Henderson, Ann Cherry voting to appoint Don Ahart, who voted in favor of himself.

City Council then voted Ward 1 Councilman Fred Adkins as Mayor Pro Tem, in the event of Mayor Kemp’s absence.

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