Lexington voters pass new tax for parks that is projected to generate $8 million a year
Fayette County voters on Tuesday approved a new tax to support parks projects, the first new property tax approved by voters in 20 years.
According to unofficial results, 61% of Fayette County residents voted "yes" to the tax, which backers say would generate about $8 million a year for capital projects in the city's 100 parks. About 39% of residents voted against the new tax, with all but one Fayette County precinct reporting.
The proposed tax is 2.25 cents on every $100 of taxable property. For the average homeowner, that translates to $52.88 in additional taxes each year.
"We're thrilled and humbled by the outcome," said Victoria Meyer, co-director of Yes for Parks. "Tonight, Lexington has shown its commitment to creating a city where green spaces and recreation are accessible and protected for everyone."
The tax will be collected starting in 2025.
Backers of the proposal said the tax will go toward clearing a backlog of $123 million in capital projects outlined in the 2024 parks master plan.
Paying cash for many of those improvements — new sports courts, walking trails and playgrounds — is more fiscally responsible than bonding or borrowing to pay for those projects, argued the group Vote Yes for Parks, which spearheaded the effort to get the tax referendum on the ballot.
Moreover, the longer the city waits to tackle some of those capital improvements, the bigger the price tag, backers of Vote Yes for Parks said.
Those who opposed it said Fayette County's property taxes have increased in recent years due to sky-rocketing property values and Fayette County Public School tax increases.
Others said the city can instead use private dollars to help fund parks projects.
And it has a history of doing so.
Gatton Park on Town Branch , a 10-acre park under construction next to Central Bank Center and Rupp Arena, has been largely paid for with $52 million in private funds. It is slated to open next year.
But supporters of the tax countered that relying on private fundraising would not translate to equitable funding across the city and in minority neighborhoods. Many poorer areas of town could not raise private money for needed park upgrades.
Vote Yes for Parks raised more than $291,491 for an education campaign to convince Fayette County residents to vote for the new tax, according to Kentucky Registry of Election Finance reports. More than 100 groups and individuals signed on to the campaign. Some notable groups backing the effort include land use and conservation organizations such as the Fayette Alliance, Trees Lexington and the Trust for Public Land.
This is the first ballot initiative to create a new tax in 20 years. Voters approved a new tax to support Lextran, the city's public transit system, in 2004.
The bulk of all property taxes goes to the Fayette County Public School system. Other local property taxing districts include the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, Lextran, the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department, the Lexington-Fayette Soil and Water Conservation District and the Fayette County Extension office.
