By Brenna Angel
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wuky/local-wuky-962889.mp3
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The number of people employed by the city of Lexington would be the lowest since 1999 under a budget proposal revealed Tuesday afternoon. With city revenue flat and health care costs rising, Mayor Jim Gray says 28 layoffs are necessary.
"We've got good employees working in this government and we need to remember that. It's also our responsibility to our citizens and our taxpayers that we are efficient in our administration of our government. And so continuing to work on this is going to be important."
The eliminated positions would include jobs in government communications (7), parks (5), social services (5), and building security (11). More than 200 vacant positions would go unfilled.
Gray says Lexington government is heading for a record, and not a good one.
"In the history of the merged government, some more than 35 years, we have not had a period which has gone so long with flat or declining revenues."
The proposal reflects a $27 million dollar spending reduction. There would be no new taxes, but Gray's plan calls for one new fee for ambulance runs made by Lexington's EMS. The Meadowbrook Golf Course would close, as would the Berry Hill and Constitutions pools.
Urban County Councilmembers heard Gray's budget presentation Tuesday afternoon. The mayor says he plans to suspend his salary for six months and require a two-week furlough for commissioners and his senior staff.
What Gray doesn't want to trim is the city's Rainy Day Fund. He wants to put in $600,000 and get Lexington's Rainy Day Fund closer to other communities in the region.
"We're at roughly 5.5 percent of our general fund. Louisville is at 13percent. Memphis 11 percent. Richmond 10 percent. Northern Kentucky - Boone County - 13 percent."
The Urban County Council will review and debate the proposal over the next several weeks. Gray says he welcomes suggestions and ideas.