Let’s start paying Lexington Councilmembers $100K per year to attract better candidates

In Lexington, several incumbent councilmembers are breezing into their next term unopposed. These uncontested elections are a stark reminder of our faltering local democracy. It’s not just about the lack of choices; it’s about the quality of governance we’re subjected to.

The current council, with its modest $38,000 salary, has been a disappointing display of inefficacy and subservience. The recent financial extravagances – over $30 million earmarked for for a new city hall, the audaciously inaccessible “Millionaire’s Park” AKA Kelley’s Landing, and generous handouts to Lexington Soccer Club and Keeneland, topped with a bizarrely priced $211,588.03 welcome sign – paint a picture of a council less inclined to serve the public and more to appease the wealthy elite.

The solution? A bold salary hike to $100,000 for councilmembers. It’s not just about paying more; it’s about attracting competent, independent candidates capable of steering Lexington away from being a playground for the rich. This increase isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity for a council that can stand up to the powers that be.

Yes, the idea of forking out more for politicians might be bitter, but the cost of a weak, incompetent, easily swayed council is far worse. Let’s invest in a stronger, more robust local government. A council that’s truly of the people, for the people, and beyond the reach of the city’s aristocrats. It’s time for a change, and it starts with valuing our council appropriately.