Urban County Council

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Council met on July 2, 2026, at 5:00 PM in the Council Chambers of Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, with Linda Gorton presiding. The council addressed three agenda items during the session, including a recognition of Walter Tunis, a zone change ordinance, and an agreement with West Kentucky Correctional Healthcare. Two motions were voted on during the meeting, with both the zone change ordinance and the correctional healthcare agreement receiving approval. The council also heard three public comments from members of the community during the session.

Attendance

Present: Vice Mayor Wu, Council Member Beasley, Council Member Boone, Council Member Brown, Council Member Curtis, Council Member Ebb, Council Member Ellinger, Council Member Elliot-Baxter, Council Member Hale, Council Member Higgins-Hord, Council Member Morton, Council Member Reynolds, and Council Member Sevigny.

Absent: Council Member Lynch and Council Member Sheehan.

Votes and Decisions

Ordinance 0570-26 19:25

An Ordinance changing the zone from a Light Industrial (I-1) and a Wholesale and Warehouse Business (B-4) zone to a Corridor Node (CN) zone was motioned by Council Member Curtis and seconded by Council Member Ellinger. The ordinance passed by roll call vote with 13 ayes and 0 nays. All voting members supported the measure:

• Vice Mayor Wu
• Council Member Beasley
• Council Member Boone
• Council Member Brown
• Council Member Curtis
• Council Member Ebb
• Council Member Ellinger
• Council Member Elliot-Baxter
• Council Member Hale
• Council Member Higgins-Hord
• Council Member Morton
• Council Member Reynolds
• Council Member Sevigny

Resolution 0480-26 32:10

A Resolution ratifying the Mayor's prior execution of an Agreement with West Ky. Correctional Healthcare LLC for inmate medical care and mental health services was motioned by Council Member Curtis and seconded by Council Member Ellinger. The resolution passed by roll call vote with 13 ayes and 0 nays. All voting members supported the measure:

• Vice Mayor Wu
• Council Member Beasley
• Council Member Boone
• Council Member Brown
• Council Member Curtis
• Council Member Ebb
• Council Member Ellinger
• Council Member Elliot-Baxter
• Council Member Hale
• Council Member Higgins-Hord
• Council Member Morton
• Council Member Reynolds
• Council Member Sevigny

Budget and Financial Actions

The Council approved the following financial actions:

Inmate Medical Care and Mental Health Services Contract

Resolution 0480-26 authorized a contract with West Ky. Correctional Healthcare LLC in the amount of $11,835,921 for inmate medical care and mental health services.

Fire Monitoring and Suppression Services Purchase

Resolution 0481-26 approved a purchase from Siemens Industry, Inc. in the amount of $41,840.22 for fire monitoring and suppression services.

Public Comment

Three members of the public addressed the Council during the meeting.

Kimberlin 37:06 thanked Council Member Brown and Council Member Chuck for purchasing water and assisting with its distribution to people in need.

Jamere Ross 38:11 requested that Council Member Morton provide support in supplying water for people in need.

Tanya Fogle 38:44 raised two concerns. She highlighted Crown Act week and expressed concerns about the effects of heat on homeless people, urging the Council to consider solutions to address this issue.

Recognition of Walter Tunis

Walter Tunis was recognized for his 46 years of service as a music critic for the Lexington Herald-Leader and his significant contributions to the city's cultural identity. 10:33

The recognition was presented by Linda Gorton and Council Member Eblen, who highlighted Tunis's extensive career covering music and culture for the local newspaper. His decades of work as a critic helped shape public discourse around the arts in Lexington and documented the city's evolving cultural landscape.

This was an informational presentation with no formal action required. The outcome reflected the Council's acknowledgment of Tunis's professional achievements and his impact on the community's cultural development through his journalism.

Zone Change Ordinance

Identifier: 0570-26

The Council considered an ordinance to change the zoning classification for certain properties from Light Industrial and Wholesale and Warehouse Business to Corridor Node 16:17.

Key Speakers: - Council Member Curtis - Council Member Ellinger

Outcome: The ordinance was approved.

Agreement with West Ky. Correctional Healthcare

32:10

The Council considered Resolution 0480-26, a resolution to ratify an agreement with West Ky. Correctional Healthcare for inmate medical care and mental health services.

Council Member Curtis and Council Member Ellinger were the key speakers on this agenda item. The resolution was presented for ratification to establish or formalize the healthcare services agreement.

The resolution was approved by the Council.