LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Urban County Council on June 23 approved a slate of contracts and agreements during its work session, including a new pilot program designed to address a skills gap in the local technology sector.

Among the items approved was authorization to implement the Tech Internship Pilot Program, which will provide partial wage reimbursements to employers hosting technology-based internships at Lexington-Fayette County worksites. The program carries a total cost not to exceed $90,000 and was designed to implement a recommendation from a 2025 TEConomy Partners study.

The council also unanimously approved a series of professional services agreements with five crisis response mediators to implement the One Lexington neighborhood crisis response model beginning July 1, costing no more than $10,000 each in fiscal 2027.

Additional approvals included renewal agreements with environmental education and human rights organizations, contracts for infrastructure improvements at Deer Haven Park, and authorization for inmate medical and mental health services through Comprehensive Correctional Care at an annual cost of $11.8 million.

The council also approved a memorandum of understanding allowing the Lexington Police Department access to the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network through the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The technology allows law enforcement to compare ballistic evidence across cases and jurisdictions.

Members also reviewed budget and economic development committee summaries from March, including discussions of opioid settlement fund allocations. Lexington is expected to receive approximately $30 million over 18 years from national litigation against opioid manufacturers and distributors.

Mayor Linda Gorton has proposed directing those funds toward supportive housing, treatment services, community corrections programs, nonprofit grants, and harm reduction efforts.