# Council releases May 28 meeting minutes with zoning, budget actions **Published:** 2026-05-28T11:00:00.000Z **Source:** [LFUCG Meeting Minutes](https://lfucg.granicus.com/MinutesViewer.php?view_id=4&clip_id=6783) **AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) **Canonical:** https://feeds.lexingtonky.news/article/council-releases-may-28-meeting-minutes-with-zoning-budget-actions LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council approved a wide range of ordinances and resolutions at its May 28 meeting, according to [minutes released from that session](https://lfucg.granicus.com/MinutesViewer.php?view_id=4&clip_id=6783). All 15 council members present voted unanimously on three second-reading ordinances and 14 resolutions addressing everything from infrastructure improvements to public safety and development projects. Among the most notable actions, the council voted to abolish the Opioid Abatement Commission, which had overseen how Lexington spends roughly $30 million in national opioid settlement funds over 18 years. The commission, created in 2020, had spent three years developing recommendations for using the settlement money. According to reporting from The Lexington Times, the move came without debate and was bundled with two unrelated ordinances — a change to the children's museum board structure and a routine budget amendment. The council also advanced a proposal to expand the [Red Mile Tax Increment Financing Development Area](https://www.lexingtonky.gov/tax-increment-financing), a tool that allows developers to apply newly generated taxes from a project toward public infrastructure improvements. The expansion would affect the area around the Red Mile gaming and racing facility, which regularly hosts major events. The ordinance received first reading and will undergo public inspection until June 4, 2026, with a public hearing scheduled for the June 4 council meeting. Second-reading approvals included a budget amendment reflecting current municipal expenditure requirements and changes to the Lexington Children's Museum board allowing directors to serve up to three consecutive terms instead of previous limitations. The council also approved 14 resolutions involving utility infrastructure agreements, traffic improvements and public safety equipment purchases. These included a $688,040 agreement with Allen Co., Inc. for Wilson Downing Intersection Improvements and a $1,343,000 purchase of fire apparatus from Pierce Manufacturing. The council authorized several agreements for public events and initiatives, including funding for the Luminate Lexington Christmas Tree Lighting and Christmas Parade through Downtown Lexington Corporation, and a $150,000 public art project through the Percent for Art Fund at Gatton Park on The Town Branch. The council also approved the fiscal year 2027 budget for the Transit Authority, which relies on an ad valorem tax approved by voters in 2004. Mayor Linda Gorton recognized Bishop Mark Van Koevering and Reverend Helen Van Koevering during the meeting, declaring May 28 as their appreciation day in recognition of their decades of service to the community and their upcoming retirement. ## Sources - [LFUCG Meeting Minutes](https://lfucg.granicus.com/MinutesViewer.php?view_id=4&clip_id=6783) - [The Lexington Times reporting on the Opioid Abatement Commission abolition](https://lexingtonky.news/2026/06/08/lexington-abolishes-opioid-commission/) - [Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Tax Increment Financing information](https://www.lexingtonky.gov/tax-increment-financing) --- This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from LFUCG Meeting Minutes, enriched with 3 web searches. The original source is available at https://lfucg.granicus.com/MinutesViewer.php?view_id=4&clip_id=6783.