|
|
|
|
|
Lexington Mayor Jim Gray delivers his Budget Address to the Urban County Council.
We are building a Great American City...
We had the chance this week to share with our council, citizens and business community the mayor's proposed budget, which is our vision for the city, with my annual budget address at City Hall. You can see the speech and read the entire proposed budget on the city web site, but I wanted to touch on some of the highlights here.
Our budget process is inclusive and productive. We've included funding for projects and initiatives that are priorities for each councilmember. By working together as partners, and listening to our citizens, we make our budget and our city stronger.
Here are a few of the investments we're planning:
Public Safety - 20 new police officers and a new fire station
Economic Development - improved workforce training
Parks - pool improvements and spray grounds
Basic Services - paving will be a priority and a new salt barn to improve snow removal
Efficiency - upgrades for LexCall to make it easier for citizens to call city hall
Quality of Life - $7 million to move forward on a 130-acre youth sports complex
The story is in the details. What I've shared here are just a few highlights from our proposed budget plan. When you can, take a moment to see the details and view the entire speech and budget on the city web site.
|
|
|
Lexington Mayor Jim Gray presents the chief's badge to new Lexington Fire Chief Kristin Chilton.
Lexington has a new fire chief!
It was a real honor to announce the appointment of Lexington's newest fire chief. It was a historic moment for our city as Kristin Chilton became the first woman to serve in that position. Kristin is a 23-year veteran of the force who has worked her way up through numerous assignments. Her broad range of experience will serve her well in her new leadership role.
Congratulations, Kristin!
|
|
|
Honoring Dr. Rice Leach during the March 17 Urban County Council meeting.
We grieve the loss of our friends.
Our city has recently suffered some painful and significant losses. We were all devastated to learn of the death of our own Stephanie Shults and her husband, Justin, in the recent Brussels Airport terror attacks. Our city has come together to pray for their families and mourn in their loss.
Another recent loss is that of our former council colleague Julian Beard. Julian was a strong voice for business and the people in the 4th district. He had a direct, no nonsense style that served our city and its citizens very well.
We also had to say goodbye to a man whose contribution to the health of our city cannot be overstated. Dr. Rice Leach, Fayette County Health Commissioner, was a great and generous man in every way. He was compassionate, committed, determined and had a powerful personality and sense of humor. His passion for public health, caring and healing is unmatched.
|
|
|
Lexington Mayor Jim Gray is joined by Councilmembers Angela Evans, Peggy Henson, Jennifer Mossotti, Public Safety Commissioner Ronnie Bastin, Acting Fire Chief Harold Hoskins, Councilmembers James Brown, Shevawn Akers, Kevin Stinnett and Bill Farmer at the ground-breaking ceremony for new Fire Station #2.
A new, state-of-the-art fire station
A couple of weeks ago we broke ground on a new fire station to replace the aging Station 2, one of the busiest stations in the city. Station 2 was built in 1953 and housed the county fire and police station, including jail cells, before the merger of local government. Today it’s a firehouse that is overcrowded and its location overlaps the coverage area of another station.
The new station will be located on Eastland Drive, behind Eastland Shopping Center. It will relieve the overcrowding at the current station with 1,400 square feet of space, and is designed to be energy efficient with geo-thermal heat and LED lighting.
Public safety is our top priority and that means making sure our firehouses can meet the needs of the areas they serve.
|
|
Thanks for letting me be your mayor. I'm always proud of our great city and our outstanding people.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
