Lexington Allocates $6.3M Surplus for Street Safety

Lexington Council Allocates Surplus Funds for Multiple Projects

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council recently approved a significant allocation of funds from the city's budget surplus, marking a key step in addressing various community needs. The council voted to spend approximately $750,000 on studies and improvements to streets, as part of a broader plan to use $2.3 million of the $6.3 million surplus. This includes funding for a solar installation program targeting low-income residents and smaller capital projects across different districts.

The total surplus for the fiscal year ending June 30 amounted to $6,296,172. However, much of this was already earmarked for other purposes, such as a health insurance reserve fund for employees and capital projects like the new city government center. The remaining $6.3 million is the smallest surplus in recent years, largely due to efforts by Mayor Linda Gorton to create more accurate budgets and reduce the likelihood of large surpluses at the end of each fiscal year.

Key Allocations from the Surplus

One of the major allocations involves $750,000 for street safety initiatives and related studies. These include:

• A $365,000 study to determine where five roundabouts can be installed, which have been shown to reduce head-on collisions.
• $50,000 for a smaller traffic circle study in neighborhood streets.
• $150,000 for a pilot study on adjusting intersection lights to improve pedestrian safety.
• A $20,000 study on the effectiveness of signs that remind drivers not to run red lights.
• $115,000 for expanded education and outreach programs.

Additionally, the council allocated $750,000 for capital projects, with each of the 15 council members receiving $50,000 to support district-specific initiatives, such as purchasing park benches or paving trails.

Solarize Lexington Program

Another significant portion of the surplus funds, $2 million, has been used for the Solarize Lexington program, which assists low-income homeowners in installing solar panels. The program has been popular, leading to a waiting list of 16 individuals. The recent allocation of $460,000 aims to help up to 20 homeowners with their solar installations.

Additional Projects Approved

The council also approved several other projects, including:

• $110,000 for permanent improvements to the Loudon Avenue and Bryan Avenue area, including new ramps and sidewalks.
• $20,000 for a project documenting the history of endangered neighborhoods, starting with Smithtown.
• $50,000 to establish a Boys and Girls Club at Winburn Middle School.
• $50,000 for a new community program called Caring Place, which supports seniors in remaining in their homes.
• $50,000 for new laptop computers for code enforcement officers.
• $55,000 to remove 77 wayfinding signs that are in disrepair.
• $20,000 for additional youth programming at the Black and Williams Center.

Micro-Transit Pilot Program Delayed

Councilman Chuck Ellinger proposed setting aside $475,000 for a micro-transit pilot program for Lextran. While the initiative aims to address gaps in public transportation, the council decided to delay its decision until November 20. This allows for further evaluation of existing programs, such as one operated by the United Way of the Bluegrass, which uses Lyft through a national contract. The council will also seek insights from other cities that have implemented similar programs before making a final decision.

The council’s approach to managing the surplus reflects a balanced effort to address immediate community needs while planning for future growth and sustainability.