Lexington council approves downtown management district, budget adjustments and multiple contracts

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council on May 8 approved a broad set of ordinances, resolutions and procurement agreements, including reestablishing the Downtown Lexington Management District and several time-sensitive contracts for summer events and capital projects.

The approvals came during the council’s regular meeting after roll-call votes on second readings and a series of suspensions of the rules to permit immediate second readings. Councilmembers approved ordinances that reestablished the Downtown Lexington Management District, adjusted permit fee thresholds for certain electrical work, and authorized personnel changes in public safety divisions. The council also authorized multiple agreements for events, capital projects and software subscriptions, and accepted several grants and bids.

Why it matters: Several of the approved items are time sensitive (fireworks and summer events, roof work, master planning and school-related neighborhood funding) or attach funding and contracts that move projects from planning to execution.

Key votes and authorizations

- Ordinance reestablishing the Downtown Lexington Management District: Council approved reestablishing the district with a 15-member board, assessments not to exceed $0.10 per $100 assessed value, and a termination date of July 1, 2035 unless reestablished earlier. Outcome: approved on second reading. (Ordinance adoption.)

- Electrical-fee amendments: Council approved adjustments to permit and inspection fees and a change to the contract-threshold definition for higher-fee contracts. Outcome: approved on second reading. (Ordinance adoption.)

- Personnel and public-safety positions: The council approved abolishing one behavioral health coordinator position in police and creating two overdose prevention project coordinator positions in Fire and Emergency Services effective on passage. Outcome: approved on second reading.

- HUD Consolidated Plan grant application: Council authorized submission of the city’s 2025 consolidated plan grant application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for FY 2026 programs, listing proposed grant amounts including Community Development Block Grant ($2,320,758), HOME program ($1,206,370.30) and Emergency Solutions Grant ($205,743). The authorization includes acceptance if awarded and local match obligations noted in the resolution. Outcome: approved on second reading.

- Contracts and procurements approved: Notable approvals included: - MKSK (downtown area master plan) at a cost not to exceed $495,075.26. - RJ Corman Company for Fourth of July fireworks and related agreements; Rotzi’s Famous Fireworks for the fireworks display ($23,000, plus 10% if fired on the postponement date). - Lexington Philharmonic agreements for the Patriotic Concert and a separate community concert (each not to exceed $45,000). - Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center roof replacement with Garland DBS Inc., not to exceed $974,005. - Zabo Project Services for monument signs at Tate Creek Golf Course/Aquatic Center ($40,840). - Regroup notification service for Division of Emergency Management ($24,692). - Granicus legislative management software subscription (estimated FY26 cost up to $110,531.31).

- Grants and program authorizations: Council accepted awards and authorized agreements, including a $14,762 award under the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management FY25 Search and Rescue Aid Fund and a $200,000 additional award via the Kentucky Opioid Response Effort for community paramedicine (no local match required).

Council discussion and timing

Several councilmembers said timing drove suspensions so projects and events could proceed. Councilmember LaGree characterized some items as “time sensitive” when moving second readings for July events and master-plan work; the motion was seconded and carried. Councilmember Beasley noted that a suspension for parks- and aquatics-related work was requested by the administration to allow bids to proceed.

The votes, as recorded in roll calls during the meeting, were affirmative for the items called for second reading and final passage during the session.

What’s next

Several transactions (contracts and grants) are contingent on final execution of agreements by the mayor’s office and on appropriation of funds in future fiscal years where the resolutions so specify. The downtown district ordinance takes effect as provided by the code when adopted and may be subject to further administrative steps by the district board once constituted.

Additional details on each resolution and ordinance, including full contract values, grant match requirements and audit provisions, are available in the council packet for May 8 and in each resolution text published by the council clerk’s office.