Urban County Council - 1st Reading of FY21 Budget

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council held a virtual meeting on Zoom on June 9, 2020, at 3:00 p.m., presided over by Mayor Gorton. The meeting included five agenda items: Roll Call, Invocation, Ordinances – First Reading, Announcements, and Public Comments. One motion was voted on during the session. No public comments were received during the meeting.

Attendance

Present: Lamb, McCurn, Moloney, Mossotti, Plomin, Reynolds, Swanson, F. Brown, J. Brown, Ellinger, Evans, Farmer, and Kay

Absent: Worley and Bledsoe

Late: Worley and Bledsoe

Votes and Decisions

Ordinance 0550-20 11:32

The body voted on the first reading of Ordinance 0550-20, which appropriates revenues, expenditures, and interfund transfers for multiple funds and approves the Capital Improvement Program for FY 2021–2026.

Motion by Farmer, seconded by Lamb.

Outcome: Passed unanimously.

The ordinance included contingencies placing conditions on the use of Extended Social Resource Program funds and Local Small Business Economic Stimulus Package (Fund 1144) Funds.

All 13 members voted in favor: Lamb, McCurn, Moloney, Mossotti, Plomin, Reynolds, Swanson, F. Brown, J. Brown, Ellinger, Evans, Farmer, and Kay.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting addressed two significant financial actions for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021.

General Fund Expense Budget

The body approved a General Fund Expense Budget appropriation (identifier 0550-20) in the amount of $378,863,565 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021.

Economic Contingency Fund Transfer

An amendment (identifier 0550-20) was approved to transfer $20,000,000 from the Economic Contingency Fund to the General Fund.

Roll Call

Mayor Gorton conducted the roll call to confirm attendance of council members 6:01. During this process, Councilmembers Worley and Bledsoe joined the meeting at 3:06 p.m.

Invocation

Councilmember Bill Farmer delivered the invocation at the beginning of the meeting 7:07. During this opening remarks, Farmer offered thanks for grace, community, and the opportunity to serve.

Ordinances – First Reading

8:09

Ordinance 0550-20 received its first reading during this meeting. The ordinance addresses appropriations for multiple funds, adoption of the Capital Improvement Program for fiscal years 2021–2026, and funding for the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Tourist and Convention Commission from the Transient Room Tax.

Mayor Gorton and Melissa Lueker presented the ordinance. Councilmember F. Brown raised questions during the discussion, requesting clarification on two specific matters: the General Fund budget and the use of the Economic Contingency Fund.

The ordinance advanced to first reading status, with further consideration scheduled for subsequent meetings.

Announcements

During the announcements portion of the meeting, Councilmember F. Brown sought clarification regarding the General Fund budget and the amount drawn from the Economic Contingency Fund 10:19.

Director Melissa Lueker provided the requested information, confirming that the total General Fund expense budget was $378,863,565, with $20 million drawn from the Economic Contingency Fund.

The discussion was informational in nature, with no formal action taken.

Public Comments

No members of the public spoke during the public comment period. The queue was empty. 11:32