“I came to Georgetown in 1972 with one suitcase. Everything I owned was in that suitcase. Freshman orientation was the first time I was ever in Georgetown. First time I had ever visited the campus. So, here it is 50 years later and I’m still here.

Jenkins faces some serious challenges early in his administration.

What a Burney Jenkins administration looks like

Burney Jenkins came to Georgetown in 1972. His first visit to the campus was for freshman orientation.

Mayoral candidates talk city revenue, growth at forum | News

Originally from Tennessee, from a family of 11, Jenkins attended Georgetown College and upon graduation he became involved in the community.

“I got a job. It was Scott County Schools and stayed here for 46 years, you know, and it gave me an opportunity to work in leadership roles with kids and with people of all races of all diversity. So I owe this community more than this community owes me,”Jenkins said.

Burney Jenkins mayoral candidate

Jenkins starting teaching, coaching, and officiating in the 1970s. He's officiated at the high school, college and professional level for several sports, to include basketball, football and baseball.

Georgetown mayor nationally recognized for decades-long sports officiating, coaching career

He still serves as a referee at local high school football games, plus he does replays for the NCAA. Jenkins says many things he learned during his officiating and coaching career has translated into being mayor.

Burney Jenkins serves as a referee at local high school football games and handles replays for the National Collegiate Athletic Association. He previously worked for Scott County Schools. He has taught, coached, and officiated basketball, football, and baseball at the high school, college, and professional levels.

Jenkins runs for Mayor in Georgetown - Spectrum News

Georgetown mayor nationally recognized for sports officiating ...

Experience was the primary selling point for Jenkins, the incumbent Mayor going into the upcoming election cycle.

“For four years, I’ve been in this job; I have sat in this seat,” he said. “So I understand, you know, when we’re talking about procurement, and working with the government, not just with the different agencies on the federal level, but also on the state level.

“I’ve been a person who has actually served this public for many, many years. I’ve invested my time in this community for years.”

Mayoral candidates talk city revenue, growth at forum

Jenkins, a former city council member, has focused his campaign on economic development and public safety. Menke, a current council member, has emphasized community engagement and infrastructure improvements.

Burney Jenkins, Kim Menke advance in Georgetown mayoral race

Burney currently serves as Georgetown's mayor. He previously served as a city council member.

2026 Kentucky General Election

As of October 8, 2026, Burney Jenkins did not have a website or any information online.

Education

Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

Public Services

Transportation & Infrastructure

With only two sources of income, the city needs to focus on finding more paths for revenue, Jenkins said.

“There’s two ways we get revenue: taxation, and bringing in jobs,” he said. “What we’ve got to be doing as forward-thinking is bringing in more revenue so we can continue to provide the services that you as citizens expect from our government.”

Advocates for bringing jobs to increase city revenue and maintain municipal services.

- Advocates for bringing jobs to increase city revenue and maintain municipal services.

Economy

Burney Jenkins

Plans to solicit residents' input and involve them in committees and water-rate work sessions.

Supports public council committee reports and expects council members to seek residents' input.

Proposes seeking state or federal grants to reduce residents' water-rate burden.

Wants relief for residents struggling with water bills, including seniors on fixed incomes.

As of October 8, 2026, Burney JENKINS’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Burney JENKINS

Isaac Brickman

Buket Urgen

So, going into your first year as mayor, what are your priorities?
Jenkins: "I really want to be transparent. I want people to know that I will be out in the community and I’m going to ask people to serve on some committees and get them involved. If people feel they are invested and they have some say so, they will spread the word. As long as people believe they have a seat at the table, I believe things will work better. They can actually have some control with what happens to them because it will affects them.
For example, this water rate situation affects them. We’re going to have some work sessions. We’re going to invite some people into these work sessions because I want to know what they think. What kind of idea do you think we should do about this. A lot of times someone may say, ‘did you ever think about this?’ We’re going to solicit some help from a lot of people."

Mayor Prather restarted using council committees, such as finance, police, etc. Are you planning to continue that?
Jenkins: "Absolutely. Even so, we are going to have committee reports during council meetings. I want the people to know what that committee did and what they are working on. I have told the council members that if they serve on a committee, I expect them to go out and talk to the public, so when they give their report, they can say, ‘I talked with 20 people and this is what they said.’ I want the people to know we are trying to get them engaged."

What do you hope to accomplish during your first 100 days in office?
Jenkins: "The first thing is the water situation. We have to come up with some way to try and ease this burden. It is a very difficult situation to try and navigate and manage. I am hopeful we can come up with some type of petition for some grants from the state or even federal so we can get some type of financial relief so the citizens are not paying so much.
It appears that we are going to be paying. Just trying to get where we aren’t paying so much. I don’t like to use percentages. I like to talk to people so they can understand, for instance talk to them like they are a 10-year-old. You tell them, this is what it is going to cost you. What is the actual money value. If it is going to cost them $10 more a month or $5 more a month in their bill. If you use this much water it is going to cost you this much and if you use less, it will cost you this much. Also, we have to come up with a way to help those who are struggling, like our senior citizens who are on a fixed income. We need to come up with a way to give them some relief so it isn’t such a burden on them."

Kim Menke

- The duties of the mayor depend on the type of government within the city, 
- If the city has a mayor-council form of government, the mayor is responsible for the executive and administrative functions of the government. They oversee all city departments, but cannot vote in most council matters. 
- If the city has a mayor-aldermen form of government, the mayor is responsible for executing and enforcing local and state laws. The mayor may appoint city officials with approval from the aldermen. 
- If the city has a mayor-commission form of government, the mayor presides over the city commissioners and can vote within the commission. The mayor is responsible for executing all decisions reached by the commission. 
- If the city has a city manager form of government, the mayor presides over the city commissioners and can vote within the commission. The mayor is recognized as the head of the city department but does not have any regular administrative duties. 
- City mayors are elected during general elections for a four-year term. Most cities in Kentucky hold nonpartisan elections for mayor. 