The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government has released meeting minutes from the Water Quality Fees Board's January 8 session, which included new leadership elections and an overview of the Stormwater Quality Projects Incentive Grant Program.

At the January 8 meeting, the board elected David Lowe as chairman and Bill Sallee as vice chairman, filling vacancies created when previous board members' terms expired. The five-member board, appointed by the mayor and representing diverse city council districts, reviews fee adjustments and oversees the grant program that funds water quality improvements across Fayette County.

The program provides financial assistance for businesses, schools, churches, apartment complexes and other institutions to improve the surface water quality in Fayette County. It is funded through the Water Quality Management Fee, which was approved in January 2010 to fund needed improvements to the stormwater sewer system. The establishment of this fee was a requirement of the Consent Decree with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Commonwealth.

According to the minutes, the Water Quality Management Fee generates approximately $18 million annually, with 10 percent distributed through the incentive grant program. The projects must improve water quality, reduce stormwater runoff and educate residents about the community's stormwater and water quality issues. The program offers three grant categories: Class A Neighborhood Grants with a maximum of $120,000 for homeowner associations; Class B Education Grants up to $40,000 for schools and nonprofits; and Class B Infrastructure Grants up to $360,000 for larger projects like stream restoration and constructed wetlands.

The board also received an orientation covering programmatic updates for the 2025 application cycle, including new research and monitoring components designed to encourage innovation and experimentation in stormwater management. Lexington's Division of Water Quality invites businesses, nonprofits, schools and other organizations in Fayette County to apply for Stormwater Quality Incentive Grants, with the program funding projects that improve water quality, reduce stormwater runoff and educate the community about protecting local waterways.