LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Urban County Council work session on Tuesday addressed major spending decisions on federal settlement funds for the opioid crisis while also hearing a proposal for downtown parking rate increases, according to the council meeting agenda.

The council considered a presentation on spending approximately $9 million in opioid abatement funds, with deliberations focused on how quickly to deploy the money versus preserving resources for long-term sustainability. Councilmembers allocated $3 million for nonprofit grants across Lexington and an additional $2.2 million to the city's Task Force on Homelessness, which would support housing and treatment services for those struggling with opioid use disorder. The city expects an estimated total of $30 million over 18 years from the ongoing litigation.

The council also received a budget presentation from the Lexington & Fayette County Parking Authority, which oversees downtown parking operations. LexPark proposed a fiscal year 2027 budget with total revenues of $6,659,420 and operating expenses of $5,133,936. The presentation included a request for rate increases at downtown parking garages, with parking rates proposed to increase to $3 for the first 30 minutes with a maximum daily rate of $19. The oldest garage, Helix, was built in 1966, and LexPark cited aging infrastructure and rising operating expenses as reasons for the increase.

The council approved several new business items, including authorization for a mobile frozen treat vending agreement with Kona Ice at city aquatic facilities, a promotional process contract for the Division of Police at a cost not to exceed $81,000, and a three-year automated external defibrillator lease renewal with CINTAS. The council also approved transferring a city property at 2002 Family Circle to Liberty Station, LLC for $1 to reduce landscaping maintenance costs.

The work session also included continued discussion of a proposed Mint Lane Pump Station sewer project near Dunbar High School. Following failed motions on the project's implementation and committee assignment, the council agreed to schedule a second presentation on the matter for April 28.