Lexington City Council members have been updated on efforts to draw more Fayette Countians closer to their city hall. Committee members got briefed last week on CivicLex’s review of public comment opportunities.
CivicLex Director Richard Young said the survey has shown some Lexington residents feel their words won’t be heard.
“Like coming and giving public comments, knowing that’s it’s not going to make a difference. Whether or not that is an accurate description of the impact of public comment, I think this is a disempowering feature of democracy,” said Young.
Councilman James Brown noted constituents do make their voices heard on certain agenda items and often times that’s come before the final vote. CivicLex works with the government to provide a review of the current public comment system and generates ideas to make public engagement more effective. It uses technology, media, and social practice to build a more civically engaged city. Council Member Jennifer Reynolds said some residents welcome a change. “And I just wonder as a local government how we could be a little more transparent so that people can say, “Oh, that issue really concerns me. I’m going to talk to my Council Member about it before we get to a first or reading our second vote on it.”
CivicLex Director Richard Young told Council he views public comment as something different than public engagement. Young said scheduling more Council meetings in evening hours has been an often- discussed idea.
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