Urban County Council Special Meeting

Summary

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.