LYNCHBURG — The Metro Council will meet in person for the first time since Governor Bill Lee issued the Safer at Home Order back in March. Both the April and May Metro Council meetings limited in person attendance to 10 people. All others attended virtually.

Prior to the June 15 meeting, there will be an unprecedented five public hearings. Two will deal with the upcoming fiscal budget and the other three will be an attempt to clarify language in the Metro Ordinances.

The first, at 6:05 p.m., will be to hear public comment regarding folding the Urban Services District (the former Lynchburg city limits) fund into the Metro General fund. The second, at 6:10 p.m., will be to hear public input on the Metro Budget for fiscal year 2020-21.

At 6:15 p.m., there will be a public hearing regarding the Metro Council’s intent to clarify wording on Metro Zoning Ordinance 7.7.100 regarding fines for violations of zoning ordinances. The Mayor requested clarified language to give the Sheriff’s Department and Codes Enforcer “teeth” when dealing with violations. At 6:20 p.m., there will be a public hearing regarding the Metro Council’s intent to clarify language of Metro Zonig Ordinance 7.7.030 regarding required building permits. According to Mayor Lewis, they’ll just be cleaning up the language. The final public hearing, at 6:25 p.m., will seek public input on the council’s intent to correct duplicate numbering in ordinances 6.4. 140-160.

The regular meeting will begin t 6:30 p.m. In new business, the council will consider new planning commission members, Metro Budget amendments, appropriations for non-profits, and adjusting the tax levy for fiscal 2020-21 to $2.38 and $2.40 for the Urban Services District.

The June 15 meeting takes place at 6:30 p.m. at the American Legion Building off Highway 129. There will be a special session meeting on June 22 to hear the second and third readings of the 2020-21 Metro Budget. All Metro Council meetings are open to the general public. •

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