FALMOUTH, Ky. — As the City of Falmouth begins to deal with the aftermath of substantial flooding, city officials will also have another job on their hands: finding an interim mayor and a new fire chief.
In a release, the city announced Mayor Luke Price has resigned from his position, effective April 7.
"I have accepted a position in my personal career that will impact my time as mayor," Price said in a statement. "So at this time, it is with a very heavy heart that I have to make a decision for the betterment of my family."
Price transferred executive authority to Falmouth Police Chief Marty Hart, who will remain the city's leader until the Falmouth City Council appoints a successor.
"The City of Falmouth extends its sincere gratitude to Mayor Price for his service and dedication to the community and assures residents that city operations will continue without interruption during this transitional period," the city said in its release.
Hart said the city's day-to-day operations would continue as normal until council could appoint a new mayor.
"There's no need for concern," he said. "If you've got issues at your house with a flooded basement or utility hook up just call city hall. We'll get you in contact with the right people. Be patient, and we'll get to you."
WATCH: Falmouth residents, volunteers begin to bounce back from floods as city leadership steps down
Price was elected after running unopposed in November. He was previously named interim mayor in January 2024 after city council impeached former mayor Sebastian Ernst.
We were there when the council served Ernst impeachment papers, accusing him of acting with misconduct and willfully neglecting his duties in office. Price, who had served on council for years and was a lifelong Falmouth resident, was selected to replace him until the November election, which he won.
Price's resignation comes as the city continues to pick up the pieces after flooding from the Licking River forced an evacuation order and some homes submerged in water.
City council later announced at a special meeting Tuesday evening that Fire Chief John Lucas had also written to council announcing his retirement. Councilwoman Joyce Carson said the chief had cited family health issues as a reason for stepping down.
Brandon Norman spent much of Tuesday returning historic items like military medals to the American Union Post 109 where he's a service officer.
"We came in the next day and waded through the water to get the sump pump back on. So, now the water is out. We've got a fan going," Norman said.
Over on Maple Avenue, the donation center we reported on yesterday accepted a flurry of donations from Harris Memorial Hospital, Dollar Tree and a lot of individual donations for people in Pendleton County.
Volunteer Lisa Wiggins said the donations were getting picked up almost as soon as they were dropped off.
"I'm going to say we're seeing probably 100, 150 people that have come through today with it," she said. "We've had people asking for rubber boots, definitely a need for sump pumps, fans."
Volunteers with Jus Burgers from Madisonville, Ky. made the four-hour trip to Falmouth to hand out free hot meals from their food truck.
Owner Laquite Swaney said the World Central Kitchen had recruited them to help.
"I just want them to know that there are people out there that care for them, that we love them," Swaney said.
Wiggins said the donation center would be open again Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Falmouth Council planned to call a special meeting Monday April 14 to discuss the vacancies at mayor and fire chief.
