By Brenna Angel
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wuky/local-wuky-974817.mp3
LEXINGTON, Ky. – A $274 million budget passed the Lexington Fayette Urban County Council Thursday night. But some parts of the measure still face an uphill battle.
Four people cast "no" votes, including Councilwoman Diane Lawless. She says the city cannot afford luxuries like lacrosse fields and disc golf courses.
"There are many things in here that are not essential services. And that's where we are right now."
The budget also restores funding for some city jobs. Mayor Jim Gray says he will begin reviewing the council's recommendations and does plan to issue some line-item vetoes.
"Council's worked hard on this, but this is the toughest budget in the 37 years of the merged government. We've gotta be just like the private sector in government. We must be responsible. We've got to live within our means."
Gray says his vision for the budget was to reduce the city's debt, but council approved $400,000 in bonds for new projects.
The mayor plans to issue his line-item vetoes sometime over the next week.