University of Kentucky

• This budget is 23% larger than last year’s — a $1.6 billion increase.
• $18 million is allotted for a salary increase pool for UK employees. Fun fact: UK is the largest employer in the city.
• A 2.2% tuition increase for undergraduate students means in-state tuition will be $6,751 per semester + tuition for out-of-state students will be $17,070.
• UK projects student enrollment for fall 2024 to be ~35,000.
• The university system will receive $359 million in state funding — see how it will be spent.
• $2 billion of the UK Healthcare budget will go towards the construction of new a hospital tower.

City of Lexington

• This year’s budget is a 5% increase over the current FY 2024 budget of $505 million.
• Mayor Linda Gorton has until Monday, June 23 to make any vetoes.
• The spending for affordable housing has more than doubled from it’s typical amount of ~$2 million to $4.79 million.
• Around $14 million, including grant money, city money, and borrowing, will be spent on paving Lexington streets.
• The budget for the Office of Homeless Prevention and Intervention has also nearly doubled, going from $750,000 to $1.4 million.

• Pollinator Week Kick-Off | Monday, June 17 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Raven Run Nature Sanctuary, 3885 Raven Run Way, Lexington | Free | Get your green thumbs ready for educational talks, hands-on activities, and free pollinator seed packets.

• Jenny Lewis | Tuesday, June 18 | 8 p.m. | Lexington Opera House, 401 W. Short St., Lexington | $39 | Find your silver lining with this California indie-folk singer-songwriter.

• Juneteenth Freedom Day | Wednesday, June 19 | 4-9 p.m. | Lyric Theatre and Culture Center, 300 E. 3rd St., Lexington | Free | Celebrate and commemorate Juneteenth with dozens of vendors and live music + performances.

• West Sixth Beer Garden | Thursday, June 20 | 4-8 p.m. | Southland Park, 625 Hill N. Dale Rd., Lexington | Free, price of purchase | Connect with your fellow community members at this family-friendly temporary neighborhood beer garden complete with music, lawn games + activities.

• East End Nights | Friday, June 21 | 6-10 p.m. | ArtHouse Kentucky, 576 E. Third St., Ste. 120, Lexington | Free | Kick off an evening celebrating all forms of art with live music, an art exhibit, and a public market along Legacy Trail.

1. Set a realistic budget.
2. Meet with an expert and explore UKFCU’s comprehensive portfolio of mortgage products + services.
3. Find the option that fits your needs. UKFCU offers competitive interest rates, flexible term options, and personalized service to guide you through every step of the homebuying process.
4. Take advantage of perks, like low down payment options and first-time homebuyer grants, to make purchasing your dream home more accessible.

• Tune into ESPN tonight to catch the UK baseball team as they continue their run in the NCAA Men’s College World Series. After defeating NC State 5-4 on Saturday, the Cats have made it to the Round of 8 + will face the Texas A&M Aggies at 7 p.m.

• Next month, the Urban County Planning Commission subdivision subcommittee will give first review to the potential subdivision of a historical horse farm. The owner of Castleton Lyons Farm filed plans to subdivide the 1,000+ acres into 16 different lots ranging in size from 40-80 acres. We’ll keep you updated. (Lexington Herald-Leader)
  

• O beautiful, for spacious skies. The city has released the schedule for its annual Fourth of July celebrations. Events kick off Monday, July 1 with an ice cream social + continue with concerts, the parade, a festival, and more. Be on the lookout for your LEXtoday City Editors “running” the Bluegrass 10K.

• The Lexington Humane Society is looking for volunteer artists for its Perfectly Imperfect Pet Art fundraiser. For a donation, pet parents can submit a photograph, and artists will recreate + reimagine the photos in the medium of their choice.

• Calling all fundraising aficionados. The Lexington Children’s Museum is hiring a Development and Communications Manager. The role will facilitate and maintain relationships with potential donors, as well as create and implement marketing strategies. Learn more + apply.

• Is your child aspiring to be the next Reed Sheppard? If yes, then LiveWELL’s Next Up! program can help. LiveWELL trainers customize workouts for each athlete’s specific sport and respective programs. Connect with LiveWELL to see how they can take your student’s training to the “next” level.*

• From spa visits to family-fun activities, Southern Indiana offers Lexingtonians many different ways to vacation. With everything in such close proximity (just two and a half hours from Lexington), there’s no reason not to try it all. Explore our must-see recommendations.*