# Urban County Council Special Meeting - September 15, 2020 > Auto-transcribed civic record · September 15, 2020 - **Permalink**: https://meetings.lexingtonky.news/meeting/5211 - **Source video**: https://lfucg.granicus.com/player/clip/5211?view_id=14&redirect=true - **Date**: 2020-09-15 - **Last revised**: September 15, 2020 - **Length**: 1,146 words > ⚠️ **Auto-generated content.** Audio from the official Granicus video was auto-transcribed with OpenAI's open-source Whisper large-v3-turbo model, run locally by The Lexington Times. Structured facts were extracted with GPT-4o; the narrative summary was written by Anthropic Claude. Verbatim wording may contain errors. See [methodology](https://meetings.lexingtonky.news/about/methodology) or [report a correction](mailto:editor@lexingtonky.news). --- ## Meeting Overview The Urban County Council convened on September 15, 2020, at 3:00 PM via live video teleconference, with Mayor Gorton presiding over the session. The meeting focused primarily on tax-related ordinances, with the council addressing four agenda items that all received approval. The council took four votes during the session, covering ordinances for ad valorem tax levies supporting the Agricultural Extension Office, the Soil and Water Conservation District, a Health Department request, and municipal purposes. No public comments were heard during this meeting, and no presentations were given, allowing the council to efficiently process the tax ordinances on the agenda. ## Attendance All council members were present for the September 15, 2020 meeting. **Present:** • Bledsoe • F. Brown • J. Brown • Ellinger • Farmer • Higgins-Hord • Kay • Lamb • McCurn • Moloney • Mossotti • Plomin • Reynolds • Swanson • Worley **Absent:** None **Late:** None The meeting achieved full attendance with all 15 council members participating from the start of the session. ## Votes and Decisions The council conducted four roll call votes on tax levy ordinances for fiscal year 2020-2021, with all measures passing unanimously. **Ordinance 0862-20** - Agricultural Extension Office Tax Levy Motion by Ellinger, seconded by Higgins-Hord. This ordinance levied ad valorem taxes for support of the Agricultural Extension Office for fiscal year July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021. The measure passed 15-0 with all council members voting in favor: Bledsoe, F. Brown, J. Brown, Ellinger, Farmer, Higgins-Hord, Kay, Lamb, McCurn, Moloney, Mossotti, Plomin, Reynolds, Swanson, and Worley. **Ordinance 0863-20** - Soil and Water Conservation District Tax Levy Motion by Ellinger, seconded by Higgins-Hord. This ordinance levied ad valorem taxes for support of the Soil and Water Conservation District for fiscal year July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021. The measure passed 15-0 with unanimous support from all council members. **Ordinance 0864-20** - Public Health Tax Levy Motion by Ellinger, seconded by Higgins-Hord. This ordinance adopted the request of the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department and levied a special ad valorem public health tax for fiscal year July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021. The measure passed 15-0 with all council members voting in favor. **Ordinance 0865-20** - Municipal Tax Levy Motion by Ellinger, seconded by Higgins-Hord. This ordinance levied ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes for fiscal year July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021. The measure passed 15-0 with unanimous council support. All four tax levy ordinances received identical voting patterns, with Ellinger making each motion and Higgins-Hord providing the second. No council members voted against any of the measures or abstained from voting. ## An Ordinance levying ad valorem taxes for purposes of support of the Agricultural Extension Office The council considered Ordinance 0862-20, which establishes ad valorem tax levies to support the Agricultural Extension Office for the fiscal year running from July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021. The ordinance applies to the assessed value of all taxable real and personal property within the jurisdiction. Council Office representative Maynard presented the ordinance to the council. The measure follows standard procedures for annual tax levy ordinances that fund specific municipal services and departments. The Agricultural Extension Office provides educational programs and resources to local farmers and residents on topics including crop management, soil conservation, livestock care, and sustainable agricultural practices. The ad valorem tax levy ensures continued funding for these services throughout the upcoming fiscal year. The ordinance was approved by the council, allowing the municipality to collect the necessary taxes to maintain operations of the Agricultural Extension Office for fiscal year 2020-2021. ## An Ordinance levying ad valorem taxes for purposes of support of the Soil and Wa The council considered Ordinance 0863-20, which establishes ad valorem tax levies to support the Soil and Water Conservation District for the fiscal year running from July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021. The ordinance authorizes the collection of property taxes on the assessed value of all taxable real property within the jurisdiction to fund the district's operations. Council Office representative Maynard presented the ordinance to the council. The measure follows standard procedures for annual tax levy ordinances that provide necessary funding for the Soil and Water Conservation District's programs and services. These districts typically focus on natural resource conservation, erosion control, water quality protection, and educational outreach to landowners and farmers. The council approved the ordinance, ensuring continued funding for soil and water conservation efforts in the area for the upcoming fiscal year. This annual levy represents a routine but essential component of local government's role in supporting environmental conservation and agricultural sustainability programs. *Note: Specific transcript timestamps were not available for this agenda item.* ## An Ordinance adopting the request of the Lexington-Fayette County Health Dept. The council considered Ordinance 0864-20, which adopts the request of the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department and establishes a special ad valorem public health tax for the fiscal year running from July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021. Council Office representative Maynard presented the ordinance to the council. The measure represents the annual process by which the local government formally adopts the health department's funding request and authorizes the collection of property taxes specifically designated for public health services. The ordinance was approved by the council, allowing the health department to proceed with its planned operations and services for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. This approval enables the collection of the special ad valorem tax, which provides dedicated funding for public health programs and services administered by the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department. The timing of this ordinance is particularly significant as it occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, when public health services were experiencing increased demand and operational challenges. The approval ensures continued funding for essential health department functions during this critical period. ## An Ordinance levying ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes The council considered Ordinance 0865-20, which establishes the ad valorem tax levy for municipal purposes for the fiscal year running from July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021. The ordinance applies the tax to the assessed value of all taxable property within the municipal jurisdiction. Council Office representative Maynard presented the ordinance to the council. The measure represents the annual process of setting property tax rates that fund municipal operations and services for the upcoming fiscal year. The ordinance was approved by the council, authorizing the collection of ad valorem taxes on real and personal property within the city limits. These taxes serve as a primary revenue source for municipal services, infrastructure maintenance, and government operations during the 2020-2021 fiscal year. No transcript timestamps were available for this agenda item, and no additional details about specific tax rates, revenue projections, or council discussion were provided in the meeting materials. --- ## Decisions - **0862-20** — passed (15-0): An Ordinance levying ad valorem taxes for purposes of support of the Agricultural Extension Office for fiscal year July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021. - **0863-20** — passed (15-0): An Ordinance levying ad valorem taxes for purposes of support of the Soil and Water Conservation District for fiscal year July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021. - **0864-20** — passed (15-0): An Ordinance adopting the request of the Lexington-Fayette County Health Dept. and levying a special ad valorem public health tax for fiscal year July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021. - **0865-20** — passed (15-0): An Ordinance levying ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes for the fiscal year July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021. --- ## Full transcript I know just how to whisper, and I know just how to cry I know just where to find the answers, and I know just how to lie I know just how to fake it And I know just how to scheme I know just when to face the truth And then I know just when to dream And I know just where to touch you And I know just what to prove I know when to pull you closer And I know when to let you loose And I know the night is fading And I know the time's gonna fly And I'm never gonna tell you everything I gotta tell you But I know I gotta give it a try And I know the roads to riches And I know the ways to pay I know all the rules and then I know how to break them And I always know the name of the game But I don't know how to leave you And I'll never let you fall And I don't know how you do it Making love out of nothing at all Out of nothing at all Out of nothing at all Out of nothing at all. Out of nothing at all. Out of nothing at all. Out of nothing at all. Every time I see you on the rays of the sun, I'm all screaming through the waves in your... Thank you. got two meetings. Hey, Mayor, we are live. All right. Thank you very much. Welcome, everyone. This is the Urban County Council meeting of September 15th, and I'd like to go ahead and read the statement. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and state of emergency, this meeting is being held via live video teleconference pursuant to 2020 Senate Bill 150 and in accordance with KRS 61.826 because it is not feasible to offer a primary physical location for this meeting. So I'd like to go ahead and call the meeting to order and ask council members. First we'll have roll call. I'll ask our clerk to call the roll. Ms. Ledson? Yes, ma'am. Mr. Fred Brown? Yes. Mr. James Brown? Here. Mr. Ellinger? Yes, ma'am. Mr. Farmer? Yes, ma'am. Ms. Higgins-Hord? Yes, ma'am. Vice Mayor Kay? Here. Ms. Lamb? Here. Mr. McCurn? Yes ma'am. Mr. Maloney? Yes ma'am. Ms. Massadi? Sorry I wasn't here. Ms. Clemon? Here. Ms. Reynolds? Here. Mr. Swanson? Here. And Mr. Worley? Yes ma'am. Thank you. Thank you very much. We have a quorum and I'll ask the clerk to please go ahead and give second reading to ordinances. Ordinance number one. real property, including real property of public service companies, 0.0041 on taxable personal property, including personal property of public service companies, non-commercial aircraft, and non-commercial watercraft, and excluding inventory and transit insurance capital, tobacco and storage, and agricultural products and storage, and levying an ad valorem tax for purposes of support of the Agriculture Extension Office at a rate of 0.0032 on each $100 of assessed value on all motor vehicles and watercrafts within the taxing jurisdiction of the Lexington Fair Urban County Government as of January 1, 2021 assessment date, ordinance number two. An ordinance letting ad valorem taxes for purposes of support of the Soil and Water Conservation District for fiscal year July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021, an assessed value of all taxable real property within the taxing jurisdiction of the American Fair Urban County Government, including real property of public service companies at a rate of .0006 on each $100 of assessed valuation as of January 1, 2020 assessment date. Item 3, an ordinance adopting the request of the Lexington Fayette County Health Department under KRS 212.755 and levying a special advorum public health tax for fiscal year July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021, and assessed value of all taxable real and personal property within the taxing jurisdiction of the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government, including real and personal property of the public service companies, non-commercial aircraft, non-commercial watercraft, and inventory in transit, and excluding insurance capital, tobacco and storage, in agricultural products and storage at the rate of .028 on each $100 of assessed value as of January 1, 2020 assessment date, and levying a special ad valorem public health tax at the rate of .028 on each $100 of assessed value on all motor vehicles and water crops within the taxing jurisdiction of Lix-N-Fair Urban County Government as of January 1, 2021 assessment date in item 4. An ordinance levying ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes for the fiscal year July 1-2020 through June 30th, 2021 on the assessed value of all taxable property within the taxing jurisdiction of the Lake St. Fair Urban County Government. All taxes on each $100 of assessed valuation as of January 1-2020 assessment date as follows. General Service District 0.0800 on real property, including real property of public service companies, 0.0890 on personal property, including personal property of public service companies, non-commercial aircraft and non-commercial watercraft, and 0.1500 on insurance capital and 0.0150 on tobacco and storage, and 0.1500 0.0450 on agricultural products and storage for full urban or partial urban service district based on the urban services available on real property including real property and public service companies. 0.1426 for refuse collection. 0.0213 for street lights. 0.0097 for street cleaning. 0.0920 on insurance capital. 0.0150 on tobacco and storage. 0.0450 on agricultural products and storage abandoned urban property. $1. and living in ad valorem tax for municipal purposes at the rate of 0.880 on each $100 of assessed value on all motor vehicles and watercraft within the taxing jurisdiction of Lake San Francisco Urban County Government as of January 1, 2021 assessment date. Thank you. Thank you very much. Is there a motion to approve? So moved. And a second. Second. Right. Second. Council member Ellinger made a motion to approve. I thought I saw council member Higgins-Hort as the first second, but maybe not. Yeah, I think you were, weren't you? All right. When you're ready, Madam Clerk, I'll ask you to please take a roll call vote. Ms. Bledsoe? Yes, ma'am. Mr. Fred Brown? Yes. Mr. James Brown? Yes. Mr. Ellinger? Yes, ma'am. Mr. Farmer? Yes, ma'am. Ms. Higgins-Hord? Yes, ma'am. Rice-Marcay? Yes. Ms. Lamb? Yes, ma'am. Mr. McCarty? Yes, ma'am. Mr. Maloney? Yes. Ms. Massadi? Yes. Ms. Plowman? Yes. Ms. Reynolds? Yes. Mr. Swanson? Yes. And Mr. Worley? Yes, ma'am. Thank you. Thank you that those all passed unanimously. So that was the only item on our docket. If I could have a motion to adjourn. So moved. Second. Council Member Swanson moved adjournment. Council Member Plowman seconded. All those in favor, please raise your hand. And that is a unanimous yes vote. Thank you very much. We are adjourned and we will roll right into our next meeting, which is the September 15th.