Urban County Council Meeting

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Council Meeting was held on June 23, 2009, at 3:00 PM in Lexington, Kentucky, and was presided over by Mayor Jim Newberry. The meeting's agenda focused on two ordinances related to the government's financial operations: one appropriating revenues, expenditures/expenses, and interfund transfers, and another amending certain existing budgets, both of which received their first readings. Over the course of the meeting, 2 votes were taken and 1 public comment was heard. No presentations were noted as part of the meeting's proceedings.

Attendance

All members were present for the Council meeting on June 23, 2009. The following individuals were in attendance:

• Mayor: Jim Newberry
• Council Members: Beard, Blues, Crosbie, Ellinger, Feigel, Gorton, Gray, Henson, James, Lane, Lawless, Martin, McChord, Myers, and Stinnett

No members were recorded as absent or late.

Votes and Decisions

Two votes were taken during the June 23, 2009 Council meeting, both passing unanimously.

• Amendment to Include Budget Amendment 2347 for the Enhanced 911 Fund 6:07: Motioned by Blues and seconded by Beard, this vote amended an ordinance to include Budget Amendment 2347 for the Enhanced 911 Fund. The motion passed unanimously, 16–0. All 16 council members voted in favor: Jim Newberry, Beard, Blues, Crosbie, Ellinger, Feigel, Gorton, Gray, Henson, James, Lane, Lawless, Martin, McChord, Myers, and Stinnett. No members voted against or abstained.

• Adjournment of the Council Meeting 10:18: Motioned by Ellinger and seconded by Gorton, this vote formally adjourned the council meeting. The motion passed unanimously, 16–0. All 16 council members voted in favor: Jim Newberry, Beard, Blues, Crosbie, Ellinger, Feigel, Gorton, Gray, Henson, James, Lane, Lawless, Martin, McChord, Myers, and Stinnett. No members voted against or abstained.

Public Comment

One member of the public addressed the Council during the public comment period. 7:29

• Pam Brandenburg spoke on the topic of the budget, raising several concerns related to employee compensation and benefits. Specifically, Brandenburg expressed reservations about the proposed 1% salary increase for most employees, and raised the possibility of rising health insurance premiums as an additional burden. Brandenburg also made a direct request to the Council that any surplus money be prioritized for non-sworn employees.

Ordinance appropriating the Revenues, Expenditures/Expenses and Interfund Transf

3:53

The Council took up an ordinance appropriating revenues, expenditures/expenses, and interfund transfers across various district funds. The ordinance also included approval of the Capital Improvement Program covering fiscal years 2010 through 2015, a suspension of a section of the Economic Contingency Ordinance, and approval of funding for the Tourist and Convention Commission.

This item was heard on first reading at the June 23, 2009 Council meeting. No key speakers were identified in the available record for this item, and no specific debate, amendments, or concerns raised during discussion are reflected in the extracted data.

The ordinance represents the Council's formal appropriation action establishing the budget framework for district funds and authorizing the multi-year capital planning program through FY 2015.

Ordinance amending certain of the Budgets

6:07

The Council took up an ordinance amending certain budgets to reflect current requirements for municipal expenditures. The specific amendment under consideration was Budget Amendment 2347, pertaining to the Enhanced 911 Fund.

Key speakers on this item were Blues and Beard. The ordinance was presented as a measure to align the relevant budgets with current municipal spending needs, with Budget Amendment 2347 identified as the central component of the action.

The item was acted upon at first reading by the Council.