LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Urban County Council will hold its regular meeting Thursday to consider numerous ordinances and resolutions, including a public hearing on an expansion of the Red Mile Development Area Tax Increment Financing project.

The Fiscal Year 2027 budget will receive its first reading, a procedural step required before final adoption. Mayor Linda Gorton proposed a $546 million budget for the coming fiscal year, about $6 million more than last year. The new fiscal year budget must be adopted by the Urban County Council by June 15.

The council will also consider expanding the Red Mile Development Area, part of a tax increment financing project that allows developers to apply a portion of newly generated taxes to pay for a project's public infrastructure, with a public hearing scheduled for June 4, 2026 at 6 p.m. Since 1875, The Red Mile has been an important part of the cultural and physical fabric of Lexington, Central Kentucky, and the world of horse racing, and is one of the oldest harness racing tracks still operating in the world today.

The council will also take second readings on several zoning ordinances for properties across Lexington, including a townhouse-to-business zone change for Country Club Drive, a residential density increase for Clays Mill Road, and a professional office-to-business conversion for East High Street. All are scheduled for final hearings by July 22.

Additional items on the agenda include a budget amendment ordinance, creation of a new plumber position in Parks and Recreation, and multiple speed limit designations for residential streets. The council will also consider resolutions relating to traffic signal maintenance with the state transportation cabinet, eviction data sharing with the courts, and design services for wastewater treatment improvements. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 200 E. Main Street.