The audited financial statement of the LFUCG’s fiscal year ending June 30, 2005, will be published soon. The approximate surplus from last fiscal year was $15.7 million.

 

Ten million dollars was transferred into the FY06 Budget, leaving about $5.7 million remaining to be allocated. How the surplus was invested by the Urban County Council is summarized below:

Of the total allocated, 43.1% went into emergency cash reserves –

Economic Contingency Deposit	$ 2,000,000
(rainy day fund)
Self Insurance Funding	450,000
(contingency fund)
	$ 2,450,000
and 39.0% was invested in capital projects
Family Care Center HVAC	$     100,000
Man O’War Road Design	250,000
Council Capital projects	1,500,000
Star Shoot Roadway	250,000
Code enforcement vehicle	6,000
Gainesway Park improvements	100,000
Valley View Ferry (landing)	14,000
	$ 2,220,000

 

The balance of the surplus remaining provided one time assistance for not-for-profit organizations, special projects and economic development. $264 thousand was reallocated to the balance in the ’06 General Fund.

 

I was pleased that 43 percent of the surplus was placed into emergency cash reserves and the balance in the “rainy day fund” was increased by 33% to about $8 million.

Man O’War Boulevard –
Lexington’s Traffic Snarl

 

One of the priorities of Lexington’s Urban Government Council is improving traffic flow on an O’War Boulevard.  As noted, $250,000 for a Man O’War Boulevard engineering study was approved from surplus funds.  If a public opinion survey were taken, a majority of Lexingtonians would likely agree that this traffic corridor needs major improvement.

What Happened to Develop
Existing Traffic Problems

Man O’War Officially Completed in 1988
Then		Now
16.1 miles	Length	16.1 miles
11	Traffic Signals	33
50 mph	Speed Limit	45 mph
20,600 – 38,600 Design ADT	Volume	24,640 – 42,300 ADT
Sources:  Lexington Herald Leader, 8/18/02                KDOH Man O’War Design Plans                Kentucky Transportation Department, Traffic Count

 

Lexington’s Metropolitan Planning Organization Congestion Management Report indicates that these Man O’War intersections were;

 

congested –

• Pink Pigeon Parkway
• Palumbo Drive
• East Hills Drive
  
  

very congested –

• I-75
• Sir Barton Road
• Liberty Road
• Maple Leaf Drive
• Rio Dosa Drive
• Richmond Road
• Beaver Creek
• Tates Creek
• Nicholasville Road
• Harrodsburg Road
• Versailles Road
  
  

severely congested –

• Alumni Drive

This study was prepared in 2002 and three years have passed without any major engineering studies or roadway improvements to Man O’War being made. Obviously, traffic counts and congestion levels have not diminished during the last 36 months.

 

A traffic engineering study would develop a plan that may include these possible solutions:

• add new turn lanes
• evaluate existing turn lanes
• adjust lane widths
• narrow size of grass median
• narrow grass utility strip
• move sidewalk out to edge of ROW
• add retaining walls
• construct roundabout on some intersections
• restrict minor street crossings to right turn in/out
• allow u-turns at wide median breaks
• optimize system for peak operation
• use “night-flash” signals in off hours
• develop pull off areas for incident management

 

Each day that passes adds more traffic on Man O’War Boulevard. Immediate action is needed so that available and new traffic data can be complied and plan of action approved.

 

Even if the study and construction documents were available today, it will take several years to construct the necessary changes.  In the meanwhile, traffic issues are not improving; they are deteriorating.

Council Capital Funds

Each councilmember will manage $100,000 in funds for his or her district (or at-large) that may be designated for capital improvements in Fayette County. All investments require majority approval of the entire city council. Neighborhood associations, parks, roads, equipment, and not-for-profit organizations are eligible for allocations. All expenditures must be for capital investment.

 

If your neighborhood needs financial help on a major capital item, you should send a request for assistance to your councilmember.  Your letter should clearly state:

 

1. the name of the entity needing financial assistance
2. the specific need and use for the capital investment
3. the amount requested
4. the rationale why this investment is justified

 

You can determine who represents your district by going to www.lfucg.com and clicking on council.  Locating your home on the map depicting the geographical area of each district will help identify your councilmember.

 

Requests and supporting information should be made in writing to your councilmember or any at-large councilmember at 200 East Main Street, Lexington, KY 40507.

Your comments and suggestions are always appreciated.




If you would like to contact Ed Lane he can be reached via at EdLane@LFUCG.com ; and by letter at 200 East Main Street, Lexington, KY 40507.