Lexington city council adopts budget for upcoming fiscal year
The Lexington City Council approved the $109 million budget for the 2021-2022 fiscal year during its regular meeting on Monday, June 14. The budget includes a 10 percent water and wastewater rate increase, the creation of a full-time Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) position and a feasibility study for a proposed recreation center. At an increase of 10 percent, residents are looking at a monthly increase of $6.70 and a yearly increase of $80.40 on their water bill.
In her address to the council, City Manager Terra Greene noted the city must sustain and grow services to match demand as well as build services and infrastructure to meet needs. She encouraged the members of council to not focus solely on the needs of now but to consider what Lexington will look like in 20 plus years.
“You have to decide now what to do to get ready for that,” said Greene.
One topic which has been the subject of many discussions was the necessity of a DEI professional. Last year, the council voted to proceed with hiring a person full-time as opposed to a contract role. Greene expressed her hope to have the position filled by August 15. In the agenda packet sent to the council, the following statement appears:
“Lexington City Council is committed to advancing racial equity through diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives by funding an additional DEI/Community Engagement full-time employee, leveraging a Captain in Lexington Police Department to engage the community in professional policing outreach, and supporting the staff to employ the professional development resources needed to be successful with crucial activities. Additionally, a commitment to continue empowering the appointed Human Relations Commission to further community offerings such as Racial Equity Institute (REI) workshops is included in the budget proposal.”
Additional budget highlights include:
No change in electric rates and natural gas tax base
20 integrations, upgrades, phone system, etc. either underway or budgeted
Tax discount for early payment repealed
Additional staffing hires: Grants Administrator, Planning Director, Development Services Coordinator and Civil Engineer
Tax revaluation, etc. to meet service needs:
Market pay increase for police officer retention (last done five years ago)
Absorb mandated retirement contribution increase
Restore performance based merit pay for workforce
Before adjourning, Councilor Garrett Holloway raised concerns about the amount of calls he’s receiving from older residents who would like to go inside City Hall to pay their utility bills. Currently, access to City Hall is still restricted. Citizens have the option to pay via a kiosk outside of the building, online, by phone or at Wal-Mart. There is also a drop box at City Hall.
Councilor Joe Watkins stated he had received similar calls and questioned why City Hall hadn’t reopened since most restrictions had been lifted. Greene shared that Davidson County is fairing poorly in the amount of people who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This has caused concerns for the staff inside of the building. Councilor Linwood Bunce said he understood both sides as he had trouble navigating the kiosk when paid his bill. At the request of Mayor Newell Clark and a few council members, Greene said she will re-evaluate the city’s current positioning.
In other meeting news:
The state legislature hasn’t made a final decision regarding the 2021 election. Greene said she believes it’ll be delayed due to directives in the Constitution.
Ernest Dalton was recognized for his 23 years of service to the City of Lexington and its residents as a custodian and custodial crew leader in the public buildings department. Dalton is retiring on July 1.
The city issued a proclamation recognizing June 19 as Juneteenth. On Monday, June 21, the city will observe its inaugural Juneteenth holiday. City offices and buildings will be closed. Public safety and emergency services remain operational 24/7, public utilities will respond to emergencies and there will be no changes to recycling and waste collection.
Robin Team, Managing Partner of Front Street Capital, updated the council on the Lexington Industrial Park located on Brown St. He shared a company had been seeking to open a facility in Lexington lost their biggest contract. With the project no longer moving forward, the group is “meeting and talking with folks around the country.” The City of Lexington is a partner in the public-private joint venture for Front Street-Lexington to market a 200-acre industrial site off of Brown St.
During the public hearing regarding the budget, Lexington City Schools Board of Education Vice Chairman, John Burke, announced his plans to run for city council. Burke lives in Ward 4.
To review the overview of the budget, click here.
