The Urban County Council finished its business July 8 and adjourned until Tuesday August 12. It was a difficult spring as the drop in revenues now and for fiscal year 2009 made the budget process exasperating and more contentious than usual. A tax increase was avoided though storm water fees will be enacted in the next year and the sanitary sewer fee was increased significantly. In spite of the federal government holding the EPA gun against the city's head, but the sewers still need to be fixed. No one is happy with the budget and its curtailment of government services but without more revenue there is no alternative.
Trees remain a problem in Lexington. The ones planted this year in the Tates Creek median were dead when planted but not detected until they failed to leaf out. The contractor will replace them. A bigger problem continues to be the street trees. Though they are in the public right of way and require permits from the forestry for removal or for planting, the responsibility remains with the property owner. Most cities have some provision for the government to assist with the planting, maintenance and removal when necessary. Some cities charge so much per linear foot along the street to pay for the tree program. The cost is about $0.30 to 0.40 per foot. What do you think of the idea and its possible implementation in Lexington?
Each street's pavement is periodically assessed by the division of engineering and a numerical score of 0 to 100 assigned to each street block by block. If the number is below 65, the street is placed on the list for possible resurfacing. There are quite a few streets in the 5th District on the list that will be done when funds permit.
The biggest controversy over the last several months has been the CentrePointe project on Main between Upper and Limestone. Many have objected to the failure to protect the old structures and also many do not like the design. However, the present plan meets the design standards for the Court House District and the size and scale are in keeping with the Downtown Master Plan. The zoning for the block is appropriate and all that the owner needs is a building permit. The Urban County Council has no authority to alter the design, protect existing structures or prevent the construction. In my opinion it will be built.
The government's and the Urban County Council's role will be to work with the owners to prepare a Tax Increment Financing plan for infrastructure for the project in a district contiguous to the block in question. Bonds are used to build the infrastructure. The debt is retired by partial deferral of certain municipal and state taxes on the increased value of the property and this money is then used to retire debt and not to pay taxes. We have been told that the ratio of local to state deferral is 1 to 10. That is for every $10, $1 is local and $9 is state.
The council, the mayor and the owners met first on July 17 to begin the discussion relating to the structure of the project, as planning it needs to be finished by the end of September. Much information will be provided to the public as these open meetings are held and the details outlined.
Do not forget the Picnic with the Pops scheduled for August 22 and 23 at the Horse Park. Songs of Henry Mancini will be featured. Call 233-3535 for tickets and www.lexpop.com for details.