A Republican state senator from Lexington says a comprehensive review of her city’s merged government charter might be in order. The Kentucky Legislature approved legislation paving the way for changes in Louisville’s metro government. Senator Amanda Mays Bledsoe, who served on Lexington’s City Council, admits charter review is a big undertaking, but something worth doing.
“We’re now 325,000 people. It looks different. It feels different. And if we can think about, you know, Council districts…is 12 enough? Is at-large still working the way it was meant to? How can we think about part-time or full-time? Are there things in the Charter we should look at differently because the City’s different?” asked Mays Bledsoe.
Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton says the Charter, for 50 years, has served the City well, but she adds, quote, “you can always review.” What that would involve is a vote by citizens and the establishment of a 20 member Charter Commission. That commission, without Council members, would make recommendations to the full Council.
One consideration might be expanding the size of the Urban County Council.
Mayor Gorton said such a change would deserve a good examination.
“The bigger a council is…it comes with other issues. I think some cities have councils that have 45..50 people and they’re almost unwieldy,” said Gorton.
Gorton noted there’s been informal talk about a change from part-time to full-time for Council. The former long-time Council member herself, Gorton added that would mean quite a change.
Here's the entire interview with Mayor Gorton:
** WEKU is working hard to be a leading source for public service, and fact-based journalism. Monthly supporters are the top funding source for this growing nonprofit news organization. Please join others in your community who support WEKU by making your donation.
