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

Editors Note (Oct. 17, 2024) – In light of recent events, we are republishing this editorial. It was originally published on January 10, 2024.

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.