The debate included two-term incumbent Linda Gorton, UK public relations specialist C.E. Huffman, local realty company owner Raquel Carter, and Darnell Tagaloa, who works for iHeartMedia.
Topics touched on in the forum ranged from Lexington's widely-panned winter weather response to traffic snarls to community policing.
On the increased housing demand, Huffman said the issue demands a response that matches the urgency of the problem.
"What I want to do is have a housing emergency by executive order on day one, and that means bringing everybody to the table and getting rid of any red tape," he said. "We're still doing development like it's the 1990s."
Addressing solar projects, Carter reiterated a common theme of her criticisms, namely that Lexington takes a half-hearted approach to its priorities.
"Our city's current approach with solar is similar to our other approaches — our approach with housing, snow removal — is that we do just a little bit. We're doing just enough," she said. "When we have a major opportunity, we have to go full in."
One particularly lively interaction erupted over the plans for a new city hall, with Gorton defending the project, which won narrow approval by the council, and her opponents questioning the financing, design, and timing. Tagaloa said government's focus should be outward facing.
"We don't need a new building. We need to focus on what we need to and let that fall down the priority list," he said. "The only people concerned about a new government building are the people working in the government building. I'm focused on the voters."
Candidates also weighed in on whether disclosing party affiliation is helpful in Lexington's nonpartisan mayoral race. The entire panel agreed that a nonpartisan contest is healthy for the city, but Gorton's challengers, all of whom have identified as Democrats, suggested it should be a personal decision by candidates. Gorton, a registered Republican according to the Herald-Leader, was most adamant about honoring the nonpartisan tradition.
"I serve everyone. I don't ask you if I'm going to serve you how you're registered. That, for a local government, is a slippery slope and I love that we're nonpartisan," she said.
The mayoral primary is set for May 19.