Lexington, KY - This has been an eventful year for the Urban County Council, as local governments continue to struggle with the effects of a sluggish economy. While we faced many challenges in the 5th District and the community as a whole, we have made some progress on a number of fronts.
Balancing the Fiscal Year 2012 Budget: After many weeks of work and discussion, the council passed a balanced fiscal year 2012 budget without any new taxes. We managed to reduce the city's payroll and tightened our belts in some other areas.
Slowly but surely, local government is becoming leaner and more efficient.
Comprehensive Plan Update: For the first time ever, the Comprehensive Plan will not include a discussion of expanding the Urban Service Boundary. First and foremost, that means no acreage of any sort will be added to the Urban Service Area.
The second significant effect of that decision is a little less obvious but no less important, in my opinion. By eliminating discussion of expanding the boundary, the mayor and council will be able to focus on ways to improve our community within the existing space.
Health Care and Local Govern-ment Employees: No area of the city's budget has undergone more scrutiny or discussion than health care benefits for city employees. Health care is one of the largest and costliest areas of the budget. Declining revenues resulting from the economic downturn and changes in health care policies at all levels of government, dictate that changes in employee health care costs and benefits are inevitable.
Meeting Infrastructure Needs
Paving: We saw a marked increase in paving throughout the 5th this year. Progress was swift as milling and paving took place on streets that had not seen fresh asphalt in decades and on thoroughfares left incomplete during the last paving cycle. As I have mentioned throughout this process, we are keeping a list of recommendations provided by you for next year, and I look forward to smoothing the way for traffic in fiscal year 2013.
Sewers: After years of championing storm and sanitary sewer repair and replacement in the 5th, I am happy that the EPA Consent Degree has set in motion the steps that need to be taken for Lexington to be compliant, efficient and environmentally responsible. The fruit of these efforts will be apparent as work begins in Ecton Park early next year, which is one of the first areas targeted for rehabilitation.
While most of the work will be "point repairs" or "cured-in-place" relining of pipes, some residents along the creek in Ecton Park will be impacted by the removal of old pipes and subsequent replacement with new and larger pipes. These are "once in a generation" projects that will be of great benefit to residents of the 5th District and homeowners up and down stream.
At this time next year, we will see tangible results, and for that I am appreciative to all parties who have worked toward accomplishing this common goal.
Sidewalks: Also set for completion by this time next year are significant sidewalk projects. Sidewalks on both sides of Tates Creek Road will be 5 feet wide with signaled pedestrian crossings throughout. While the great number of properties involved and the need to negotiate temporary and permanent easements along the route has delayed completion, the day is coming when I will be able to lead the first official bike ride from Chevy Chase to Lansdowne sometime next year.
Bill Farmer, Jr. Is the 5th District council representative. He can be reached at (859) 258-3212, by e-mail at bfarmer@lexingtonky.gov, or by fax at (859) 259-3838.