Budget Season Continues!

Apr 24

Mayor Linda Gorton give the annual budget address on April 18th! Here are a few highlights from the Mayor’s proposed budget:

The proposed budget for this year’s General Services District Fund budget will be around $505 million, the first time the city’s general fund has ever crossed $500 million
$150k annually for a new police intelligence center, including software and two new intelligence officers
$6 million for planning for a new City Hall
$2 million for a redesigned Phoenix Park
$1.4 million for a new Senior Center in Shilito Park
A 33% increase in rental assistance funds
A 5% raise for all non-sworn city employees

Since a draft budget has been proposed, City Council met in a Committee of the Whole (COW) to talk about the Mayor’s proposal. During the week of April 24th, they heard a presentation on the City’s finances from Commissioner of Finance Erin Hensley, as well as an ARPA update from Project Manager Jenifer Wuorenmaa. Councilmembers then had an opportunity to review the Mayor’s proposal with Commissioner Hensley.

5 Link groups — essentially Council committees that focus exclusively on the budget — also began meeting the week of April 24th to carefully comb through the budget, staring with the Environmental Quality & Public Works Link.

The Links will have until May 19th to submit any recommended changes to the budget.
After that, there will be two more budget COW meetings on May 30th and June 1st to finalize and approve the budget!
To learn more about Lexington’s FY23/24 budgeting timeline and priorities, visit our Budget page!

The Committee of the Whole met on Tuesday, April 25th at 1pm in Council Chambers. You can watch the recording on LexTV.

The Environmental Quality & Public Works Link met on Thursday, April 27th at 10am in the Council Caucus Room.

The General Government & General Services Link met on Friday, April 28th at 9am in the Council Caucus Room.

Update:

The links discussed several budget items including: