The Urban County Council voted to move forward with funding for a variety of city projects Thursday.
But it stopped short of allocating money for the renovation of the old courthouse building downtown.
While the Hamburg YMCA, preparation for the 2015 Breeder’s Cup, and a study to guide the city on the placement of new fire stations all made it onto the funding list, Mayor Jim Gray’s request for a nearly half-a-million dollar schematic design for the crumbling courthouse ran into some opposition.
Fourth District councilman Julian Beard said studies on the total renovation costs commissioned during previous administrations totaled between $16 and $18M.
"God knows what it would be now and where are we going to get the money? We're bonded up to our ears at this point. We sure as heck can't get it our of fund balance," he asked.
The council ultimately elected to hold off on a decision on the courthouse funding until Tuesday.
