The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council has passed three ordinances this week that could amend the city’s charter if voters approve them this November, including one that could raise council member pay.
All three proposals came to council from a 36-person civic assembly organized in March by CivicLex, a nonprofit focused on civic education.
If passed, the referendum would raise salaries for council members from roughly $42,000 annually to $59,987, the median salary for Lexington residents, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
That was coupled with another referendum that would add more accountability measures for council members, like publicly viewable attendance.
“I think they want it to be really a sort of signpost for voters when they go to vote, like, ‘Is my council member showing up to the meetings that they're supposed to? Are they responding to constituent services?”’ CivicLex director Richard Young told WEKU in March.
Supporters of the pay increase argue the comparatively low council member salary relative to an average Lexington resident can be a barrier to entry for those interested in serving. Multiple council members, including District 11’s Jennifer Reynolds and District 5’s Liz Sheehan, have not filed to run for re-election this year, and have cited the low pay among their reasons for leaving office.
A third potential change would require Lexington’s charter to be reviewed every eight years by a representative cross-section of residents, similar to the original assembly. It would also establish an advisory charter review board to facilitate the group.
The council voted unanimously Thursday to pass the ordinances on accountability and charter review. The pay ordinance passed 13-2, with at-large council member James Brown and District 8 council member Amy Beasley voting against the item.
All three referendums will be on ballots for Fayette County voters in this year’s general election. Election Day is Nov. 3.
