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Every year, the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government creates and approves a new budget. The one-year period that businesses and governments use for financial reporting, accounting, and budgeting is called the Fiscal Year. For LFUCG, our Fiscal Years start July 1 and end June 30 of the following year. Therefore, Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) will begin on July 1, 2025 and end on June 30, 2026.
The new fiscal year budget must be adopted by the Urban County Council by June 15. A key component of the budget process is public engagement – an opportunity for residents and community members to share their input. There are several ways to participate!
Public comment will be heard in person at the Mayor’s Budget Hearing on Thursday, May 8 at 6 p.m. or at any Council Work Session or Council Meeting during the budget process. We are also offering a public input survey below. We encourage all residents and community members to participate in sharing their priorities with us!
Though the city budget is a living document, "budget season" typically runs April-June.
Interested in last year's budget feedback? Check out "What We Heard"!
Have a question about the budget? Take a look at our FAQs below!
What is the City's budget?
Lexington’s nearly $1 billion budget supports both the essential operations that keep the city running and the priority-driven initiatives that help it thrive. Approximately half of the budget is designated for core services such as infrastructure, administration, city operations, and staffing. The remaining portion is more flexible and guided by the Mayor and Council to reflect the community’s priorities. These funds are strategically allocated to areas like public safety, economic development, and community programs that improve the overall quality of life for Lexington residents.
Can I give input on the budget?
Yes! Below, please find our online survey where you can share your priorities for the FY26 budget process. The survey will be open until April 23, and your input will be shared with Council Members ahead of their first Committee of the Whole so community priorities can be considered during their link and council Conversations.
There will also be a Public Hearing on Thursday, May 8th at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers, located at 200 E. Main Street, Lexington, KY. If you would like to give comments in person but cannot make it to the hearing, Public Comment can be given at any Council Meeting or Work Session throughout the budget process. For more information about giving public comment, visit LexingtonKY.gov
When is the budget approved?
The Urban County Council is required to approve the budget by June 15, pursuant to the LFUCG Charter, Sec. 8.04.
Every year, the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government creates and approves a new budget. The one-year period that businesses and governments use for financial reporting, accounting, and budgeting is called the Fiscal Year. For LFUCG, our Fiscal Years start July 1 and end June 30 of the following year. Therefore, Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) will begin on July 1, 2025 and end on June 30, 2026.
The new fiscal year budget must be adopted by the Urban County Council by June 15. A key component of the budget process is public engagement – an opportunity for residents and community members to share their input. There are several ways to participate!
Public comment will be heard in person at the Mayor’s Budget Hearing on Thursday, May 8 at 6 p.m. or at any Council Work Session or Council Meeting during the budget process. We are also offering a public input survey below. We encourage all residents and community members to participate in sharing their priorities with us!
Though the city budget is a living document, "budget season" typically runs April-June.
Interested in last year's budget feedback? Check out "What We Heard"!
Have a question about the budget? Take a look at our FAQs below!
What is the City's budget?
Lexington’s nearly $1 billion budget supports both the essential operations that keep the city running and the priority-driven initiatives that help it thrive. Approximately half of the budget is designated for core services such as infrastructure, administration, city operations, and staffing. The remaining portion is more flexible and guided by the Mayor and Council to reflect the community’s priorities. These funds are strategically allocated to areas like public safety, economic development, and community programs that improve the overall quality of life for Lexington residents.
Can I give input on the budget?
Yes! Below, please find our online survey where you can share your priorities for the FY26 budget process. The survey will be open until April 23, and your input will be shared with Council Members ahead of their first Committee of the Whole so community priorities can be considered during their link and council Conversations.
There will also be a Public Hearing on Thursday, May 8th at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers, located at 200 E. Main Street, Lexington, KY. If you would like to give comments in person but cannot make it to the hearing, Public Comment can be given at any Council Meeting or Work Session throughout the budget process. For more information about giving public comment, visit LexingtonKY.gov
When is the budget approved?
The Urban County Council is required to approve the budget by June 15, pursuant to the LFUCG Charter, Sec. 8.04.
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Every February, the Mayor and Administration meets with Council Members to informally discuss their financial priorities for next year. This information helps the Mayor draft a proposed budget that will be presented in April.
Mayor's Budget Address
The FY26 Budget Process is currently at this stage
At the beginning of Council's Work Session on Tuesday, April 15, Mayor Gorton will give the Annual Budget Address. This is where the Mayor proposes a draft FY26 budget to Council Members for their consideration. The Mayor's proposed budget then serves as a starting point for Council Members to recommend any changes or amendments.
Committee of the Whole
this is an upcoming stage for The FY26 Budget Process
Council Members meet again on May 29. Here, Council Members will continue any discussions that are still in process from the previous COW. Council will conclude these discussions by making a motion to adopt the Proposed FY26 Budget as Council Members have amended it. They will then vote on whether or not to adopt the budget.
Link Meetings
this is an upcoming stage for The FY26 Budget Process
After the Mayor's Proposed Budget comes out, Council Members meet in groups of three called "Links" to review budget items. They speak with all the city departments about funding priorities and any needs that may not have been addressed in the Mayor's proposal.
Public Hearing on Mayor's Proposed Budget
this is an upcoming stage for The FY26 Budget Process
On May 8, members of the public are encouraged to come and give public input on the Mayor's Proposed Budget. Speakers can sign up to give public comment starting 30 minutes before the meeting, and each person will have three minutes to give their comments. People can yield their three minutes to another member of the public, but a speaker can only receive time from two others, for a maximum of nine minutes.
Link and Council Recommendations Due
this is an upcoming stage for The FY26 Budget Process
By May 19, each Link group and Council Member must finalize and submit all their budget amendment requests. These requests will be reviewed and discussed by the entire Council at their upcoming Committees of the Whole.
Committee of the Whole
this is an upcoming stage for The FY26 Budget Process
On May 27, Council Members will report out any recommended budget amendments from their link discussions. They will have the opportunity to discuss these amendments, as well as other requests from individual Council Members. This is often a lengthy discussion that spans multiple meetings.
Committee of the Whole
this is an upcoming stage for The FY26 Budget Process
Council Members meet again on May 29. Here, Council Members will continue any discussions that are still in process from the previous COW. Council will conclude these discussions by making a motion to adopt the Mayor's Proposed Budget as Council Members have amended it. They will then vote on whether or not to adopt the budget.
Budget First Reading
this is an upcoming stage for The FY26 Budget Process
At this meeting, the budget will receive its first reading. Each piece of legislation is required to be read before Council twice before being adopted. Council Members will not take any vote at this time.
The first reading is scheduled to take place on June 10.
Budget Second Reading
this is an upcoming stage for The FY26 Budget Process
At this meeting, the FY26 Budget will receive its final reading before Council. At this point, Council Members will take the final vote on whether or not to adopt the budget. The new budget must be adopted by June 15.
The second reading is scheduled to take place on June 12.
FY26 Budget Goes Into Effect
this is an upcoming stage for The FY26 Budget Process
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government creates and approves a new budget. The one-year period that businesses and governments use for financial reporting, accounting, and budgeting is called the Fiscal Year. For LFUCG, our Fiscal Years start July 1 and end June 30 of the following year. Therefore, Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) will begin on July 1, 2025 and end on June 30, 2026.
Though the city budget is a living document, "budget season" typically runs April-June.
