Tax rates, job changes, infrastructure funding headline Lexington council meeting

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Property tax rates, new job classifications, and millions in public infrastructure spending will dominate the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council’s meeting Thursday evening.

Council members will take up first readings of three ad valorem tax ordinances for fiscal year 2026 — including the city’s general services rate, a levy for the Soil and Water Conservation District, and a special public health tax. The proposed rates largely mirror prior years, with the general services levy setting $.075 per $100 of assessed value for real property and $.0911 for personal property.

Another major item is a series of budget amendments and staffing changes across departments. These include creating positions such as a Crisis Responder in Enhanced 911, an Information Security Analyst in the Department of Information Technology, and a Senior Planner in the Division of Planning. Other measures would eliminate several unclassified positions, consolidate roles, and add pay supplements for wastewater treatment operators to address “exceptionally difficult” hiring conditions.

Infrastructure funding is also in focus. The docket includes more than $3 million in construction contracts and change orders, including $1.6 million for Savannah Guilford stormwater improvements, nearly $1.56 million for neighborhood upgrades on Rosemary Avenue, and a $198,320 expansion of the Valley Park building project. Two separate forgivable loans — $489,613 to Red Draw Liberty LLC and $374,051 to 1000 Delaware LLC — would support sewer, parking, and sidewalk projects tied to job creation.

Council will also vote on a $90,000 grant from the Triangle Foundation for redesigning streetscape amenities at Main and Vine streets, and a $648,636 renewal with the Kentucky Association for Environmental Education to continue citywide environmental education programs.

The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday at the Council Chambers, 200 E. Main St. It is open to the public and will include time for public comment on both agenda and non-agenda items. The full agenda is available through the city’s Legistar portal.