Budget Committee of the Whole Meeting

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council met on June 6, 2013, at 3:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, with the Vice Mayor presiding. The council addressed four agenda items during the session and took 19 motions to a vote. One member of the public provided comments during the meeting.

The council approved the Revenue Update and advanced the Mayor's Late Items (items 1-18) for approval. A set of Link Recommendations (items 19-26) was deferred for further consideration at a future meeting. The council also approved Council Member Recommendations (items 27-29). Overall, the meeting resulted in three approved agenda items and one deferred item.

Attendance

Present: - Commissioner O'Mara - Commissioner Romero - Commissioner Mason - Commissioner Graham - Council Member Ellinger - Council Member Stenet - Council Member Clark - Council Member Lane - Council Member Ford - Council Member Kay - Council Member Lawless - Council Member Akers - Council Member Beard - Council Member Massadi - Council Member Myers - Council Member Henson - Council Member Scutchfield - Council Member Farmer - Council Member Kaye - Council Member Wires

Absent: - Council Member McCord

Late: None recorded

Votes and Decisions

The council held 19 roll call votes on fiscal year 2014 budget matters and related items.

Budget Revenue and Fund Adjustments

The council adopted a revenue number of $297,191,180 for the fiscal year 2014 budget, which passed 10-5 47:32. Council Members Ford, Kay, Lawless, Akers, Beard, Massadi, Myers, Henson, Scutchfield, and Farmer voted in favor. Council Members Ellinger, Stenet, Clark, Lane, and Kaye voted against.

The council unanimously approved pages 1 and 2 of the mayor's late items list (15-0) 1:28:56.

Multiple fund adjustments passed unanimously with 15 votes each: - Urban Services Fund expenses 1:31:52 - Miscellaneous revenue fund changes 1:32:56 - Sanitary Sewer Fund expenses 1:34:02 - Sanitary Sewer Construction Fund 1:34:38 - Public Facilities Corporation Fund correction 1:35:45 - Water Quality Management Fund 1:36:53

Additional fund adjustments passed with 12 votes each: - Landfill Fund 1:37:25 - Right-of-Way Fund 1:37:59 - Public Facilities Corporation Extended School Program 1:38:29 - Enhanced 911 Fund 1:39:35

Police and Fire Retirement Fund adjustments passed 10-0 for both revenue and expense items [timestamps: 01:40:08 and 01:40:40].

Code for America Funding

A motion to not fund Code for America failed 12-2 1:43:55, with Council Members Scutchfield and Farmer voting against the motion.

An amendment to approve Code for America contingent on $180,000 matching funds by August 15th passed 12-2 1:49:59, with the same two members voting against.

An amendment to fund Code for America from the general fund rather than bonded funds passed 12-2 2:16:12.

The final Code for America approval with all conditions (general fund, not bonded, contingent on $180,000 matching by August 15th) failed 7-8 2:34:16.

Other Items

The council approved adding $20,000 to the coroner's budget for van replacement, passing 12-1 2:51:48, with Council Member Scutchfield voting against.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting included appropriations for two separate items:

Code for America Partnership An appropriation of $180,000 was approved for the Code for America partnership.

Coroner Van Replacement An appropriation of $20,000 was approved for coroner van replacement through Fleet Services.

Public Comment

2:54:00

Mr. Robert Riggs addressed the meeting on behalf of the Aviation Museum. He indicated that the museum would return with a better resolution at a later date. Mr. Riggs emphasized the Aviation Museum's commitment to STEM education and community support as key aspects of their work.

Contested Items

Code for America Funding

A proposal to fund Code for America generated significant debate among council members, with the body divided over the initiative's value, timing, and funding method. Despite multiple amendments offered during discussion, the final motion on the proposal failed by a narrow margin.

The disagreement centered on three main concerns: whether Code for America represented a worthwhile investment, whether the timing was appropriate for such an expenditure, and the most suitable mechanism for allocating funds to the program. Council members attempted to address these concerns through several amendments, but these modifications were insufficient to build consensus for passage.

The contested vote resulted in the proposal's defeat, indicating that a majority of council members were not persuaded by the arguments in favor of the funding at that time.

Revenue Update

The committee reviewed fiscal year 2013 revenue data during this agenda item. 7:00

Data Presented

The revenue update covered multiple revenue streams, including employee withholdings, net profits, insurance, and franchise fees.

Key Discussion Points

Commissioner O'Mara led the discussion on the committee's findings. A significant focus of the review was a projected $2.2 million shortfall against the year-to-date budget, which the committee examined in detail.

Recommendation and Outcome

The committee recommended adopting the mayor's proposed revenue of $297,191,180 for fiscal year 2014. This recommendation was approved.

Mayor's Late Items (1-18)

The committee reviewed and approved a series of late items submitted by the Mayor's office during the June 6, 2013 meeting. 48:41

Presenter and Overview

Melissa Luker presented the Mayor's late items to the committee. The agenda encompassed 18 separate corrections and adjustments to the city budget and related matters.

Content of Revisions

The late items addressed multiple categories of budget corrections, including:

• Personnel adjustments
• Insurance premium updates
• Funding allocations for various city services

These changes were characterized as corrections to clerical errors and updates needed to reflect information from recently passed ordinances and resolutions.

Outcome

The committee approved all of the Mayor's late items as presented.

Link Recommendations (19-26)

The committee discussed recommendations from the LINC regarding funding decisions for projects numbered 19-26. 1:41:41

Key Discussion Points

The primary focus of the discussion centered on the Code for America project. The committee initially considered a recommendation not to fund Code for America. However, this decision prompted extensive debate among council members about the merits and conditions of the project.

Speakers and Positions

Council Members Ellinger, Kay, Akers, Lawless, and Lane participated in the discussion, presenting various perspectives on the funding recommendation.

Amendment and Vote

During the discussion, the council voted to amend the original motion. The amended motion proposed approving the Code for America project contingent upon two conditions: - Matching funds would be secured - Funding would come from non-bonded sources

Despite the amendment attempt, the motion ultimately failed to pass.

Outcome

The agenda item was deferred, meaning the decision on Link Recommendations (19-26) was postponed for future consideration rather than being resolved during this meeting.

Council Member Recommendations (27-29)

2:51:14

Council Member Ellinger proposed adding $20,000 to the coroner's budget for a van replacement. Council Member Myers seconded the motion.

The motion passed unanimously, with one abstention.