Urban County Council

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Council met on May 8, 2025, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers in Lexington, KY, with Mayor Gorton presiding. The meeting covered 2 agenda items, including a proclamation and a public budget hearing. The Council took 2 votes during the session and heard 2 public comments. One agenda item — Voices of Hope Day — was approved, while the Mayor's Proposed Budget for FY26 was presented as an informational public hearing.

Attendance

Present (14): Sheehan, Wu, Beasley, Boone, Brown, Curtis, Ellinger, Elliott Baxter, Gray, Hale, LeGris, Lynch, Morton, and Reynolds.

Absent (1): Sevigny.

Late: None.

Votes and Decisions

Two items came to a roll call vote during the May 8, 2025 Council meeting, both passing unanimously.

• Ordinance 0416-25 35:01 — An ordinance amending certain budgets of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government to reflect current requirements for municipal expenditures, and appropriating and re-appropriating funds under FY 2025 Schedule No. 22. The motion was made by Ellinger and seconded by Reynolds. The ordinance passed 15–0, with all fifteen council members voting in favor: Sevigny, Sheehan, Wu, Beasley, Boone, Brown, Curtis, Ellinger, Elliott Baxter, Gray, Hale, LeGris, Lynch, Morton, and Reynolds. No members voted against or abstained.

• Resolution 0362-25 41:25 — A resolution accepting the bid of Midwest Rescue Products, Inc. for FL 360 cameras and a listening device. The motion was made by Sevigny and seconded by Gray. The resolution passed 15–0, with the same fifteen council members voting in favor: Sevigny, Sheehan, Wu, Beasley, Boone, Brown, Curtis, Ellinger, Elliott Baxter, Gray, Hale, LeGris, Lynch, Morton, and Reynolds. No members voted against or abstained.

Budget and Financial Actions

The Council considered two contract items during the May 8, 2025 meeting, covering public safety equipment and infrastructure improvements.

• Resolution 0362-25 authorized a contract with Midwest Rescue Products, Inc. in the amount of $41,272.25 for the purchase of FL 360 cameras and a listening device for the Division of Fire and Emergency Services. The equipment is intended to support the operational capabilities of the fire and emergency services division.

• Resolution 0407-25 authorized a contract with Aequitas Power Co. in the amount of $456,800 for the Town Branch Primary Effluent Pump Station MCC Replacement project. This contract covers replacement work at the pump station's motor control center (MCC), representing a significant infrastructure investment in the city's wastewater system.

Combined, the two contracts total $498,072.25 in authorized expenditures across public safety and utility infrastructure categories.

Public Comment

Two residents addressed the Council during the public comment period. 31:23

• Phoenix Berry spoke in support of the Mayor's Proposed FY26 Budget, specifically urging the Council to allocate additional funds toward social resources. Berry encouraged the Council to consider expanding investment in these efforts as part of the upcoming budget process.

• Alice Hilton addressed the topic of safe streets in Lexington, sharing thoughts on the need for dedicated funding to create safer road conditions for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists throughout the city.

Both speakers focused on budget priorities, with Berry emphasizing social services and Hilton highlighting infrastructure improvements related to pedestrian and traffic safety.

Appointments

The Council took action on two appointments during the May 8, 2025 meeting.

• Steven Wides was reappointed to the Administrative Hearing Board.
• Amanda Fallin-Bennet was appointed to the Board of Health.

Voices of Hope Day

6:00

Mayor Gorton presented a proclamation declaring May 8, 2025, as Voices of Hope Day in Lexington (Agenda Item 0295-25). The proclamation recognized and commended Dr. Alex Elswick for his contributions to the community.

Dr. Alex Elswick was present at the meeting as the honoree of the proclamation. Mayor Gorton delivered the declaration formally before the Council.

The proclamation was approved.

Public Hearing - Mayor's Proposed Budget FY26

31:23

The Council held a public hearing on agenda item 0419-25 to receive community input on the Mayor's Proposed FY26 Budget. The hearing was informational in nature, providing residents an opportunity to address the Council directly regarding budget priorities and concerns.

Two members of the public spoke during the hearing:

• Phoenix Berry offered comments related to the budget, contributing to the discussion on community needs and spending priorities.
• Alice Hilton also addressed the Council, adding public perspective on the proposed budget.

The comments received during the hearing centered on two primary themes:

• Additional social resources — Speakers highlighted the need for expanded social services and support programs to be reflected in the FY26 budget.
• Safe streets — Concerns were raised regarding street safety, with speakers calling for the budget to address related infrastructure or programming needs.

No votes or formal actions were taken as a result of the hearing. The session served as an informational opportunity for the Council to gather public input ahead of further budget deliberations.