LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Lexington Fayette Urban County Council approved a $540.2 million budget for Fiscal Year 2026 during its June 12 meeting. 

"We are fortunate to work alongside Mayor Linda Gorton’s Administration, who put together a robust starting point for our work," said James Brown, councilmember and chair of the Budget, Finance & Economic Development Committee. "Through this budget, we have affirmed our commitment to community safety, roadway improvements and maintenance, uplifting our neighbors in need and supporting the pillars of our local economy.”

According to a release, the council began to work on the approval process after Mayor Gorton's April 15 proposal. This includes the "links" process, where small groups of councilmembers examine specific portions to formalize final recommendations. 

The budget places a major emphasis on public safety, investing more than $400 million across all of the city's Public Safety divisions. It also outlines $3 million to fund the design of a new fire training academy, more than $600,000 in capital improvements for Community Corrections and funding for two police and two fire recruit classes.

Improving paving and sidewalks is another priority. It allocates $14 million for street paving and maintenance, $1.25 million for the sidewalk connectivity program and $400,000 to help Lexingtonians repair unsafe sidewalks and avoid fines.

Here are some additional highlights, according to the Urban County Council:

• Funding of a "Master Plan" to gather community feedback on how to spend the $8 million of capital funding from the new "Parks Fund" 
• $8 million-plus investment in the Affordable Housing Fund
• New outreach coordinator for Office of Homelessness Prevention & Intervention
• $4.9 million to support local nonprofits through the Extended Social Resource Grant program
• $300,000 for Emergency Financial Assistance
• Increased funding for community centers 
• $400,000 for local workforce development
• $500,000 to enhance public transportation services
• $150,000 to expand the city's tree canopy
  
• $500,000 to improve recycling and yard waste programs 

Visit Engage.LexingtonKY.Gov for more on the FY26 budget.