LEXINGTON, Ky. — Mayor Linda Gorton (R), following Gov. Andy Beshear’s announcement that Kentucky cities will receive federal coronavirus relief funds for virus-related expenses, announced her priorities for how she will recommend those funds be spent.
The priorities include:
- Social service agencies the city has previously funded
- Affordable housing and resources for those experiencing homelessness
- The city’s Rainy Day Fund
These priorities come after Gorton’s proposed budget in April which lost $40 million due to COVID-19 and plummeting city revenue.
“It was not the kind of budget I wanted to present; it was the kind of budget the times demanded,” Gorton said. “With some federal assistance, we can do better.”
While Lexington prepares its application for the funds, the city does not know exactly which expenses will qualify as virus-related.
“Even so, I felt it was clear to establish priorities now,” said Gorton.
Gorton set the priorities based on both community needs and Lexington’s financial stability.
“It’s important to do both: provide for critical services, and ensure our City remains on a sustainable path financially,” Gorton said. “These are needs I could not fund in my proposed budget because of our funding shortfall.”
Gorton warned that Lexington’s financial picture will continue to change.
“On April 28, when I presented my budget proposal, I said I felt our budget would go through several revisions because of the upheaval of the pandemic,” said Gorton. “That’s exactly what’s happening.”
The Urban-County Council will ultimately vote on the how to spend federal dollars and is expected to ratify the budget June 9.
The new budget will go into effect July 1.
