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The FY25 Budget goes into effect on July 1, 2024.
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At Council's Work Session on June 18, Mayor Gorton exercised a line-item veto specifically to remove 10 staff positions that Council funded in addition to the Mayor's proposed budget.
Council considered these positions carefully and found them to be crucial to the city and services it provides to the community. They voted and approved an override of the veto at the following Council Meeting on June 27.
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Tuesday, July 2
- 1 p.m. Social Services & Public Safety Committee
- 3 p.m. Work Session
- 5 p.m. Council Meeting
Tuesday, July 9
- 3 p.m. Work Session
- 5 p.m. Council Meeting
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Council Summer Break is scheduled to start Wednesday July 10. Council will be back in session on August 20.
District and staff offices will remain open during this time.
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On Wednesday June 26, Councilmembers enjoyed a wonderful day exploring some of Fayette County's agriculture and equine industry that is such a foundational part of Lexington's history and culture!
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First, we visited Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital! After a warm welcome from Mayor Gorton, we toured the facility and saw everything that goes into the quality care they provide to horses in need. We even got to watch part of a live surgery! |
Next, we saw Headwater Farm, where Seedleaf works with a lot of small scale and immigrant farmers to help them grow and sell produce in Fayette County. They also run educational programs for food security and environmental stewardship. |
Last, we went to Bluegrass Stockyard, where we learned about the UK Extension Office and investments in UK's agriculture programs. The director of the Stockyard then gave us a tour and taught us about KY's cattle and livestock industry. |
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These are just a small selection of resources that are available in Fayette County for anyone looking to get involved in these industries! For more information about our specific visits that day or other available resources, reach out to LFUCG's Director of Agriculture Development, Erica Rogers! |
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District 1 - Councilmember Tayna Fogle
The Dirt Bowl and upcoming "Super Sunday" at Douglass Park
Sunday, June 16, was the opening day for Dirt Bowl 2024 at Douglass Park! Dirt Bowl is Lexington’s legendary summer basketball league founded by Herbert Washington Jr. in the 1970’s. It has been featured in Sports Illustrated in 1983. League alums include the likes of University of Kentucky’s Melvin Turpin, Jack Givens, and James Lee. The basketball courts have long been paved, but were originally dirt, giving the tournament its “Dirt Bowl” name.
Dirt Bowl is hosted at Douglass Park, one of Lexington’s oldest historic parks. This year, the roster includes 19 teams and a full schedule running Sundays through Thursdays each week through August 4, when the tournaments begin.
This free, annual event will feature various vendors creating a community-oriented atmosphere. If you find time for nothing else, plan to attend Super Sunday on July 21. Super Sunday is a huge, must-see event highlighting all the teams, as well as featuring entertainment, concessions, and many vendors selling their wares. Like all the other games, it’s free and open to everyone!
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District 3 - Councilmember Hannah LeGris
Lex Grow Trees awards grants to Lexington Tree Champions
Last month, Lex Grow Trees awarded nearly $500,000 in grants to support and grow Lexington’s tree canopy. In this first round of grants, nine organizations will receive funding for projects that will bolster Lexington's tree population and foster community engagement in urban forestry efforts.
“Together, we are committed to maintaining, supporting, and expanding Lexington's tree canopy. We're excited to see these projects come to fruition!" - Councilmember Hannah LeGris, co-chair of the Lex Grow Trees committee.
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District 4 - Councilmember Brenda Monarrez
Improvements to District 4 roads and parks
In June, five asphalt speed tables were installed on Fiddler Creek Way between Clearwater Way and Saron Drive. The dark tire marks that you see in the photo above will fade with street sweeping, which occurs every 4-6 weeks. Councilwoman Monarrez secured funding for this so the HOA did not have to pay for the speed tables as they have normally would have been required to do, in order to move forward with the project. Although Fiddler Creek is not in District 4, it is part of the Pinnacle Neighborhood which mostly resides in 4. Councilwoman Monarrez promised to fund these traffic calming measures for District 4 neighborhoods and she kept those promises.
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A boardwalk is coming to Wildwood Park! This improvement to the park is being funded through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA). The addition of the boardwalk will provide families a safe and dry path through Wildwood Park even when it rains. The project is currently underway, and is expected to be completed before school resumes in August. While this is a very small park, it is utilized by many students and families in the area. Councilwoman Monarrez has advocated for this project, and will do so until the completion.
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Yellow curbing has been added at all four corners of the intersection at Bittersweet Way and Elora Lane. The addition of these no parking zones greatly increase visibility and safety. Councilwoman Monarrez is committed to making these necessary changes in District 4, and will continue to do so for the safety of drivers and pedestrians. There are other intersections throughout the district where she has requested similar installations or extensions of existing yellow curbs. If there are other areas where you believe this would be beneficial, please reach out to her office by emailing bmonarrez@lexingtonky.gov or by calling (859) 280-8241.
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District 6 - Councilmember Denise Gray
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District 6's First Ever Movie Night
Watch Kung Fu Panda 4 with your friends and neighbors on Saturday, July 13th at Mary Todd elementary.
The event will start at 6:30 p.m. This is an outdoor event with food trucks and more!
Bring your family, friends, a blanket, and some popcorn while we watch this fun movie under the stars!
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District 9 - Councilmember Whitney Baxter
Our District 9 parks are buzzing with fun and engaging activities for the family and even for your favorite furry friend this July!
Wellington Park is home to Summer Playground Days event on Thursday, July 11 from 2 pm-4 p.m. and Yappy Hour on Wednesday, July 24 from 6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Summer Playground Days is recommended for children ages 5 and up. Activities include recreational sports, make-and-take arts and crafts, STEM projects, supervised playground play, and the Park & Play program van.
At Yappy Hour, you can enjoy food trucks, live music, frozen desserts, cold beer or cider, and activities for you and your furry best friends.
Shillito Park will also host three Summer Playground Days events at the Shillito Park Playground! Summer Playground Days will be Thursday, July 18 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.; July 25 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.; and Tuesday, July 30 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m..
Head over to Dogwood Park for the Nature in Your Neighborhood – Circle of Life: Fungi Foray event on Monday, July 15 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. and explore the interconnected wonders of nature where wildlife, birds, and fungi reveal their secrets through engaging, hands-on adventures! Registration is not required.
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District 12 - Councilmember Kathy Plomin
Solar Farm Info Session
The 12th District office is hosting a Solar Farm Info Session on July 8, 6 - 7:30 p.m., at Macedonia Christian Church, 4551 Winchester Rd.
Two solar farms have been proposed around the Haley Road area off of Winchester Road. Silicon Ranch, a privately owned company out of Nashville, has recently purchased five farms in the Haley Pike area for a total of approximately 800 acres. If approved by LFUCG Planning and Council, these solar fields will be used to produce renewable energy. The company is planning on using the land for sheep grazing in addition to the panels. The second proposal of solar fields is by East Kentucky Power for 387 acres across from the Haley Pike area close to the Clark County line. Because EKP is a utility company it will need to go through the Kentucky Public Service Commission (at the state level) for approval as it is not governed by local (LFUCG) planning and zoning. However, our city has filed an interference request with the KY Public Service Commission.
Solar fields are a new land use in our Agricultural Rural zone in Fayette County. In fact, there are no existing regulations or ordinances in place that addresses solar land-use issues. The proposed solar fields submitted to Planning by Silicon Ranch have been postponed as planning assesses regulations for solar land use in the Ag zone. There are serious concerns about locating large scale facilities on Lexington-Fayette County’s world-renowned soils as well as the precedent it would set for additional uses in our rural areas.
The District 12 office is hosting a public forum to further educate and foster discussion on solar farms. It will be an opportunity to learn more about the operations of solar farms from our Planning Commissioner and other experts. We hope you can join us for the discussion.
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The City of Lexington has tons of events planned to provide community members with exciting and patriotic Fourth of July experiences! We invite you to join us as we celebrate our nation’s birthday with events all throughout the week.
Additionally, due to the Fourth of July holiday, there will be no city waste collection on Thursday, July 4.
Residents and businesses that normally receive curbside pickup on Thursdays will have carts collected on Wednesday, July 3, before the holiday.
Tuesdays, 7 - 8:30 p.m. - Moondance Amphitheatre, 1152 Monarch St.
With a full schedule of live music planned, concert-goers can enjoy a weekly big band or jazz music at Moondance Amphitheater and Ecton Park. Picnics are encouraged and patrons should bring a lawn chair or blanket for seating.
Thursdays at 7 p.m. - Moondance Amphitheater, 1152 Monarch St.
Southland Jamboree is a free Bluegrass music concert held on Thursday evenings during the summer. Concessions are available for purchase from food trucks, but you are welcome to bring a picnic and cooler. Well-behaved dogs are also allowed. Patrons are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or a blanket.
July 9, 6 - 7 p.m. - McConnell Springs Park, 416 Rebmann Ln.
This presentation will briefly explore the life and legacy of frontiersman, William McConnell, through the eyes of the Digital Access Project (DAP) by focusing on his economic opportunity as one of the early pioneers to settle in Fayette County, Lexington, Kentucky in the late 1700s. It will focus on primary sources found preserved in the Fayette County Clerk’s Office which are now made available through an online portal.
July 13, 6 p.m. - Bluegrass Regional Transfer Station, 1505 Old Frankfort Pike
The City of Lexington, along with the Bluegrass Regional Transfer Station, is offering Fayette County residents a free trash disposal day for non-hazardous household waste. Learn more here!
July 15, 2 - 7 p.m. - Lexington Senior Center, 195 Life Ln.
Planning and a team of consultants have until December 2024 to create a plan for growth. The growth will be in over 2,800 acres of urbanized area in five locations across Fayette County. It's time to reveal the working drafts of the designs for each of the growth areas. Learn more here!
July 16, at 6 p.m. - Pivot Brewing, 1400 Delaware Ave.
Wondering if solar panels are right for your home? Join us for Solar 101 to find out how Solarize Lexington can help. The program is open to all home and property owners in Lexington-Fayette County.
July 19, 5 - 9 p.m. - Tandy Centennial Park, 251 E. Main St.
Art on the Town is on the third Friday of each month, April – September. Each month features different local artists and authors that are in the Art on the Town Program, local live music, and local food trucks.
July 27, 6 – 8 p.m. - Isaac Murphy Art Garden, 577 Third St.
From the Front Porch is a free summer jazz concert series presented by Phoenix Rising and Lexington Parks & Recreation from the footprint of Isaac & Lucy Murphy’s home. Bring your own blanket and chairs for a picnic or grab dinner from a food truck on site.
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