Lexington city leaders appear ready to change prioritization for select water drainage projects. The issue came before the city council’s Environmental Quality and Public Works Committee Tuesday.
The city of Lexington is under federal mandate to fix its sanitary and storm water sewers. It is now five years into a ten year program. Division of Water Quality Director Charlie Martin reviewed capital flooding projects and has committee backing to move away from a numbers-based priority list. “We need to minimize our risks in meeting the consent decree obligation by focusing on specific watersheds and maximizing the number of viable projects that are within those watersheds,” said Martin. “Trying to get an economy of scale.”
Funds from the water quality management fee go to support the multi-million dollar water improvement program. Committee member Kevin Stinnett expressed reservations about using these funds to help support the Town Branch Commons park project. “I don’t think when we passed the water quality fee, citizens said it’s okay that homes still flood, but we want a nice park. That’s not what that fee was for,” said Stinnett.
In responding to questions, Martin says monies for the Town Branch Commons linear park would not adversely impact flood related projects. ?