Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton has unveiled her budget suggestions for the upcoming fiscal year. The mayor said this year’s document is quite different than the one offered up in 2020.
Health and financial conditions are improving in the Lexington community. This time last year, the coronavirus was taking a big toll on the bluegrass.
Mayor Gorton said this $399 million budget is bold and accelerates many of the recommendations from her Commission for Racial Justice and Equality. “I’m proposing improvements in housing, a focus on economic development, and jobs, and improvement in police. This is a budget for everybody.”
In addition to enhancing basic services and workforce development, the mayor is suggesting hiring six additional police officers. “Five of those are neighborhood resource officers, well known to everyone and well aware of neighbors’ issues and concerns, thereby improving their relationship with the community,” said Gorton
Gorton suggests an additional one million dollars for the affordable housing fund and the creation of a Housing Advocacy and Community Development Department.
The mayor admitted federal stimulus dollars, about $10 million worth in this budget, help to address a variety of needs. The mayor is calling for a 3% raise for city employees not covered by collective bargaining. First Term Council Member Liz Sheehan likes the almost $5 million for parks improvements. “Because of the pandemic, we’ve seen a lot of use of our parks this year. I’m happy to see more resources put toward this as well,” said Sheehan.
Now the council will dissect the budget document with an eye toward taking action in June.
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