Steve Kay, the only incumbent in the at-large Urban County Council race, will replace the retiring Linda Gorton as Vice Mayor of Lexington.
Kay garnered more votes than two other at-large council members in Richard Moloney and Kevin Stinnett.
Former council member Bill Cegelka, newcomer Chris Logan and Fayette County Judge-Executive Jon Larson came up short.
Kay, 71, a professional facilitator for public policy organizations, said he will focus on finding long-term solutions to systemic problems based on his knowledge of how the city works.
He was chairman of the city's homelessness task force, which resulted in a new Office of Homelessness Intervention and Prevention and a new affordable housing manager. He also worked to get the city's first local food coordinator, aimed at improving the local food economy.
He said the new council will have to deal with the budget soon after taking office.
Kay said his first move after taking office next year will be to sit down with the administration and work out priorities.
