Lexington city leaders plan to recognize 16-to-17 hundred essential government employees with ties to the coronavirus response. The Council gave preliminary approval Tuesday to spending up to $15 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding for premium pay. There were calls for more specifics about distribution of money. Council Member Fred Brown felt the matter needs to be moved along. “We’ve got other issues out there, I think, out there on that supposedly project list that we ought to go forward with a little quicker. I just don’t think our process has been moving quick enough,” said Brown.
The premium pay, with the amount per employee yet to be decided, would pertain to police and firefighters, as well as other essential workers. Council Member David Kloiber said many Lexington citizens have put in requests for spending federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars. “And to do this is kind of a portrayal of their trust. To jump in ahead of the line to say we’re gonna do this right now in 15 minutes, we’re going to throw out $15 million. I still have a lot of questions,” said Kloiber.
The Council solicited ideas from the Lexington community on ways to spend $113 million in federal money. That list includes a number of capital construction projects. Council members are expected to make some decisions about spending those dollars in the weeks ahead.
