LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Urban County Council held a work session on September 8 to consider dozens of spending proposals, including three contracts worth more than $3.6 million to provide winter emergency shelter services for people experiencing homelessness during the upcoming cold months.

The council considered authorization to execute an agreement with EDS Holdco, LLC to operate a general winter emergency shelter for persons experiencing homelessness between October 29, 2026, and April 1, 2027, at a total cost not to exceed $3,081,732.03. The Lexington-based Emergency Disaster Services has previously operated seasonal shelters for the city.

Two additional shelter contracts would provide targeted services. The council considered a proposal to authorize an agreement with Community Action Council for Lexington-Fayette, Bourbon, Harrison, and Nicholas Counties, Inc., to operate winter motel shelter services for families with children experiencing homelessness between November 1, 2026, and April 1, 2027, at a cost not to exceed $300,000. A third proposal would authorize an agreement with Hospice of the Bluegrass, Inc., d/b/a Bluegrass Care Navigators, to operate motel-based winter shelter services for elderly and disabled persons experiencing homelessness between November 1, 2026, and April 1, 2027, at a cost not to exceed $234,977.

Beyond winter shelter services, the council work session agenda included budget amendments for Fiscal Year 2027, authorization for various sanitary sewer service site-specific agreements with Ball Homes LLC for phases of the Ash Tree development project, and an ordinance amendment to revise the definition of "stormwater control device." The agenda also featured a presentation on the Downtown Area Master Plan and approval of capital projects and communications from the mayor regarding appointments, donations, and procurements.

Additional items included authorization to enter into an agreement with the Kentucky Community and Technical College System for office space at the Division of Community Corrections, a Purchase of Service agreement with CASA of Lexington, Inc., authorization to establish Zonar Systems, LLC as a sole source vendor for Electronic Vehicle Inspection Reporting software, and authorization to dedicate an easement to Kentucky Utilities at locations near the Town Branch Wastewater Treatment Plant to support the Town Branch Trail project.