Lexington Mayor Jim Gray Announces New “Businessman’s Budget” Plan

Lexington mayor Jim Gray announced his budget proposal for the 2012 fiscal year Tuesday, calling it a “businessman’s budget”.
“Today’s the day to face the facts,” Mayor Gay said.  “Our city has serious financial problems…problems that are hard to fix, and painful to fix.”  Gray is hoping that his $271 million budget, will be the blueprint for reestablishing  and transforming government and returning to fiscal responsibility.
“I confess, I see the city’s budget through the eyes of a businessman,” Gray continued, “We need a budget that positions our city to come out better and stronger on the other side.”
The mayor’s office said this will be the fourth year in a row where General Funds receipts will drop or remain flat, an unfortunate trend that has occurred only one year prior to 2009.  Calling former Lexington mayor Jim Newberry’s 2011 budget a failure, Gray said that “, he said, “A year ago we were presented with a budget plan that relied on one-time revenue…”
The proposed 2012 budget includes:
-No new taxes; one new fee – for reimbursing the city when 9-1-1 is called, a ambulance is sent, but no one is taken to the hospital.
-The lay-off of 28 employees in Government Communications.
-No lay-offs in the Police and Fire Departments, and no new hires.
-Reducing the General Funds personell costs by $11.8 million, through the lay-off and abolishment of 218 unfilled or vacant positions.
-Suspending the Mayor’s salary for six months.
-Closing Berry Hill and Constitution pools, both underperforming.
-Closing Meadowbrook Golf Course which has been loosing $80,000 a year.
-$3 million for the resurfacing of roads through federal and state funds.
-$30 million for underfunded Police/Fire pension funds.