Kenneth DeGrant III was one of the first to file for the local 2018 city elections, and he is running for the first time too. Although he was not born here in Madison County, DeGrant has his roots here, and has been in Richmond for the vast majority of his life.
DeGrant is a part owner in a downtown business, and works full-time in Frankfort for the Kentucky Department of Revenue. He says that this more than adequately prepares him for balancing a city budget and being smart when it comes to appropriating funds.
He is a strong proponent of revitalizing the downtown area, and says that if there is no effort made to bring more business to main street, then it will eventually die down completely. He also spoke highly of Mayor Barnes on the topic of the city’s money in the bank, but says that some of the money needs to be spent to make a return for Richmond.
Part of that, DeGrant says, is to raise the cap on the city manger salary, which had been hotly contested at City Hall recently. Lastly, DeGrant says that the police station could use a new evidence room, and the firefighters deserve much-needed improvements as well.
