Urban County Council

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Council convened on August 31, 2017, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers in Lexington, Kentucky, with Vice-Mayor Kay presiding over the session. The meeting focused primarily on tax-related ordinances and municipal financing, with the council addressing five agenda items that were all approved. The council took five votes during the session and heard one public comment.

The meeting's agenda centered on essential municipal tax levies and bond authorization. Four of the five ordinances dealt with ad valorem tax levies for various municipal purposes, including general municipal operations, public health services, the Soil and Water Conservation District, and the Agricultural Extension Office. The fifth and final item authorized the issuance of General Obligation Bonds, providing the city with additional financing capacity for municipal projects and operations.

All agenda items received approval from the council, demonstrating unanimous support for the proposed tax measures and bond authorization. The streamlined nature of the meeting, with all items passing and minimal public input, suggests these were largely routine administrative matters necessary for the city's fiscal operations and annual budget implementation.

Attendance

The following members were present at the August 31, 2017 meeting:

• F. Brown
• J. Brown
• Evans
• Farmer
• Gibbs
• Henson
• Kay
• Lamb
• Moloney
• Mossotti
• Plomin
• Scutchfield
• Smith
• Stinnett
• Bledsoe

Absent: • Mayor Gray

No members arrived late to the meeting. A total of 15 members were present for the proceedings.

Votes and Decisions

The council voted on five ordinances during the August 31, 2017 meeting, with four related to tax levies passing unanimously and one bond authorization passing with one dissenting vote.

Tax Levy Ordinances

Four tax-related ordinances were approved unanimously with identical 15-0 votes. Councilmember Farmer motioned for each ordinance, with Councilmember Henson providing the second.

• Ordinance 0904-17 6:10 - An ordinance levying ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes for fiscal year July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018. Passed 15-0.

• Ordinance 0905-17 6:12 - An ordinance adopting the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department's request and levying a special ad valorem public health tax. Passed 15-0.

• Ordinance 0906-17 6:13 - An ordinance levying ad valorem taxes for support of the Soil and Water Conservation District. Passed 15-0.

• Ordinance 0907-17 6:14 - An ordinance levying ad valorem taxes for support of the Agricultural Extension Office. Passed 15-0.

All four tax ordinances received unanimous support from F. Brown, J. Brown, Evans, Farmer, Gibbs, Henson, Kay, Lamb, Moloney, Mossotti, Plomin, Scutchfield, Smith, Stinnett, and Bledsoe.

Bond Authorization

Ordinance 0870-17 - An ordinance authorizing the issuance of Various Purpose General Obligation Bonds, Series 2017A. This measure passed 14-1, with Councilmember Moloney casting the sole dissenting vote. Farmer motioned and Henson seconded this ordinance as well. The 14 members voting in favor were F. Brown, J. Brown, Evans, Farmer, Gibbs, Henson, Kay, Lamb, Mossotti, Plomin, Scutchfield, Smith, Stinnett, and Bledsoe.

All votes were conducted as roll call votes, providing a clear record of each council member's position on the measures.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting addressed three significant financial contracts totaling over $5.1 million across infrastructure and environmental services.

Infrastructure Projects

The largest expenditure involved Resolution 0946-17, authorizing a $2,916,807.49 contract with L-M Asphalt Partners d/b/a ATS Construction for the Expansion Area 3 Trunk Sewer project. This represents a major infrastructure investment in the city's sewer system expansion.

Additionally, Resolution 0859-17 approved a $1,615,000 contract with Clean Energy Corp. for compressed natural gas (CNG) slow-fill fueling equipment and facility. This investment supports the city's fleet operations and environmental sustainability initiatives.

Environmental Services

Resolution 0839-17 authorized a $600,000 contract with Red River Ranch, LLC for composting services. This contract supports the city's waste management and environmental programs.

The three contracts collectively represent $5,131,807.49 in municipal spending across critical city services including wastewater infrastructure, fleet fueling operations, and waste management services.

Public Comment

The public comment period featured one speaker who addressed the meeting.

0:00 Jordan Woods, a 5th grade student, presented his community service initiative called "The Bucket of Hope." Woods outlined his plan to raise money for individuals and families affected by Hurricane Harvey. The young speaker shared his fundraising concept with the meeting attendees, demonstrating civic engagement from a member of the community's youth population.

The presentation focused on disaster relief efforts and community support in response to the recent hurricane that had impacted the region. Woods' proposal represented a grassroots approach to charitable giving and emergency assistance for hurricane victims.

Appointments

The meeting included several appointments and reappointments to various city boards and commissions.

Corridors Commission • Tim Queary was reappointed to the Corridors Commission • Maxine Rudder was reappointed to the Corridors Commission

Economic Development Investment Board • Amanda Bledsoe was appointed to the Economic Development Investment Board

Ethics Commission • Cary Howard was appointed to the Ethics Commission

Parks and Recreation Advisory Board • Victoria Meyer was appointed to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board • Mark Stringer was appointed to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

The appointments represent a mix of new members and continuing service, with four new appointments and two reappointments across multiple city advisory bodies. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board received two new members, while the Corridors Commission saw two members continue their service through reappointment.

Contested Items

The meeting featured one contested item that resulted in a split vote among council members.

General Obligation Bonds Authorization

The council considered an ordinance authorizing the issuance of General Obligation Bonds, which generated disagreement among members. While the majority of the council supported the bond issuance, Council Member Moloney cast the sole dissenting vote against the measure.

The ordinance ultimately passed despite the opposition, with Council Member Moloney being the only member to vote against the bond authorization. The specific reasons for Moloney's dissent and the details of the debate surrounding the bond issuance were not detailed in the available meeting materials.

The passage of this ordinance allows the municipality to move forward with issuing the General Obligation Bonds, though the split vote indicates some level of concern or disagreement about the financial commitment among the governing body.

Ordinance levying ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes

6:10

The council considered Ordinance 0904-17, which establishes ad valorem tax rates for municipal purposes for the fiscal year running from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018.

The discussion involved key speakers Farmer and Henson, who presented the ordinance to the council for consideration. The ordinance represents the municipality's annual process of setting property tax rates to fund city operations and services for the upcoming fiscal year.

The council approved the ordinance, formally establishing the ad valorem tax levy for municipal purposes for fiscal year 2017-2018.

*Note: Limited transcript details were available for this agenda item. The summary reflects the basic procedural action taken by the council on this tax levy ordinance.*

Ordinance levying a special ad valorem public health tax

6:12

The council considered Ordinance 0905-17, which would levy a special ad valorem public health tax for the fiscal year running from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018.

Key speakers during the discussion included Farmer and Henson, who presented information about the proposed tax levy. The ordinance represents the annual process of establishing the special tax rate that supports public health services and programs within the jurisdiction.

The special ad valorem tax is levied on property values and serves as a dedicated funding source for public health initiatives and services. This type of tax levy is typically used to ensure stable, ongoing funding for essential health programs that benefit the community.

The council approved the ordinance, allowing the special ad valorem public health tax to be implemented for the specified fiscal year period. This approval ensures continued funding for public health services through the property tax mechanism for the 2017-2018 fiscal year.

Ordinance levying ad valorem taxes for Soil and Water Conservation District

6:13

The council considered Ordinance 0906-17, which would levy ad valorem taxes to support the Soil and Water Conservation District. This ordinance establishes the tax levy mechanism to provide funding for soil and water conservation programs and activities within the district.

Key speakers during the discussion included Farmer and Henson, who addressed the council regarding the ordinance. The item was presented as a standard measure to ensure continued financial support for the conservation district's operations and programs.

The ordinance was approved by the council, allowing for the collection of ad valorem taxes specifically designated for soil and water conservation efforts. This approval ensures the district will have the necessary funding to continue its conservation work and programs in the upcoming period.

Ordinance levying ad valorem taxes for Agricultural Extension Office

6:14

The council considered Ordinance 0907-17, which would levy ad valorem taxes to support the Agricultural Extension Office. This ordinance establishes the tax levy necessary to fund the county's agricultural extension services.

During the discussion, Farmer and Henson served as the key speakers addressing this agenda item. The ordinance follows standard procedures for establishing tax levies to support essential county services, with the Agricultural Extension Office providing important agricultural education and support services to local farmers and residents.

The council approved the ordinance, ensuring continued funding for the Agricultural Extension Office through the established ad valorem tax levy mechanism.

Ordinance authorizing issuance of General Obligation Bonds

The council considered Ordinance 0870-17, which authorizes the issuance of Various Purpose General Obligation Bonds, Series 2017A.

Key speakers on this agenda item included Farmer and Henson, who presented information regarding the bond issuance to the council members.

The ordinance was approved by the council during the August 31, 2017 meeting. However, specific details about the discussion content, bond amount, intended purposes, or any concerns raised during deliberation were not captured in the available meeting records.

This bond authorization represents a standard municipal financing mechanism that allows the city to fund various capital projects and infrastructure improvements through the issuance of general obligation bonds backed by the city's full faith and credit.