Lexington, KY - In early January, Mayor Newberry unveiled his recommendations to the Urban County Council for cutting expenses to balance this year's budget for the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG). The city's 2009-2010 revenues are expected to fall short of budget by about $12.3 million. The mayor's budget reduction plan trims about $12.5 million in spending over the remaining half of this fiscal year. Even during tough budget times, there are many ways that LFUCG and the Urban County Council can make progress and get things done.
Restoring the public's trust in LFUCG's partner agencies takes a change in culture but not an enormous outlay of funds. Boards and commissions of LFUCG partner agencies can embrace a number of policies to restore fiscal responsibility and public trust, including procedures from the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the Kentucky state auditor's "Recommendations for Public and Nonprofit Boards."
During tough budget times, LFUCG can take stock of what we already have and what we spend. For decades, LFUCG has not always efficiently tracked what real property or vehicles LFUCG owns, what we spend on energy, or what tenants occupy LFUCG facilities or how much they pay. In recent years, however, LFUCG has introduced better business accounting and asset management standards to track and manage what we own and spend. The mayor's budget reduction plan will require LFUCG to further eliminate waste and to get more done with less.
Even with a shortfall of revenues in the general fund, LFUCG will continue to update our deteriorating storm water and sanitary sewer systems. The Water Quality Management Fee that went into effect in January will provide funding to make repairs required under the Consent Decree between LFUCG and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This fee will help us to improve flooding and water quality conditions and to stop dumping raw sewage into our creeks and streams.
Especially during tight budget times, LFUCG must increase its commitment to economic development, urban planning and the arts. We must continue to promote Lexington as a great place to locate a business, and we must grow new businesses here at home with ideas from the bright minds at the University of Kentucky and private industry. We must also improve urban planning and champion the arts so that we can continue to attract and retain the smart, talented employees that make Lexington a valuable place to do business.
Finally, the Urban County Council should put into action Lexington's long-range strategic plan - "Destination 2040." The plan was developed from meetings and sessions involving more than 140 businesses, universities, neighborhood associations, faith-based groups, schools and other organizations. The council should help LFUCG take the next step and implement this community-wide planning effort. A link to "Destination 2040" can be found on my council Web site.
Of course, there are many other issues the Urban County Council will address in the coming year. But during these tough budget times, we must make progress on the issues that will have the greatest impact on our future. We must work together now more than ever to make Lexington a better place.