Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government www.lfucg.com On January 1, 1974, Lexington became the first Kentucky community to consolidate city and county governments into a single system. The merger of Lexington City and Fayette County governments was the result of years of planning. History of the Merged Government By 1970, Lexington's population of more than 100,000 had qualified it as a first-class city. City leaders began to consider merging city and county governments as an alternative to the first-class city designation. In 1971, a Merger Commission was appointed to draft the charter that merged the two governmental systems. Among other provisions, the charter eliminated various duplications of services. It also eliminated the need to pay two separate property taxes. The commission's proposed merged government charter had tremendous support. In an election held on November 6, 1973, more than 70% of voters approved what is now the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Charter. Office of the Mayor As chief executive of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, the Mayor supervises and administers all departments of the government. The Mayor, elected on a non-partisan basis every 4 years and limited to 2 consecutive terms, is assisted by his/her administrative aides and the department commissioners. The administrative aides and commissioners are appointed by the Mayor and are subject to confirmation by the Urban County Council. The Mayor presides over all Urban County Council meetings but may only vote to break a tie. The Mayor is required to annually submit a report on the State of the Merged Government and to submit an operating budget, which must be confirmed by the Council. The Mayor may also veto ordinances and resolutions adopted by the Council, subject to a Council override by a three-fifths majority vote. The Urban County Council Fayette County is divided into council districts of approximately equal population. The 15-member Urban County Council includes one representative from each district as well as three at-large members who are elected countywide. District members are elected to two-year terms and may serve up to six consecutive terms. At-large members are elected to four-year terms and may serve a maximum of three consecutive terms. The at-large member with the highest number of votes in the general election automatically becomes the Vice Mayor, who, in the absence of the Mayor, is the presiding officer of the Council. The Urban County Council is the legislative branch of the merged government, and has the power to establish budgets for the operation of the Urban County Government and set governmental policy. The Council also has the power to levy taxes, subject to the limitations outlined in the Charter and by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Any official action taken by the Council is through adoption of ordinances and resolutions. State Taxes Back to Top Buying a home? Fill out our on-line Buyer Inquiry Form Selling a home? Fill out our on-line Seller Inquiry Form Relocating? Fill out our on-line Relocation Inquiry Form or call us toll free at 1-866-come2ky! Get on the "Fast Track" to home ownership! Sign up to receive home listings via email! REALTOR®, ABR, CNHS, CRS, GRI, SRES REALTOR®, ABR, CRS, GRI REALTOR®, ABR, CRS, GRI REALTOR®, ABR, CCREC Email Cherie, Linda, Kitty and Shirley: inquiry@welcome2ky.com Toll Free Phone: 1-866-come2ky (1-866-266-3259) Keller Williams Realty Bluegrass 2424 Harrodsburg Rd. Suite 101 Lexington, Kentucky 40503 You may NOT reproduce or copy any information, graphics or html contained herein (including the character "Lexie" and his likeness) for use on another website or other promotional materials without specific written authorization from Cherie Butler, Shirley DeBoor, Kitty Lane, or Linda Wiley. Violators will be subject to legal action for copyright infringement. In accordance with the law, the properties and real estate services featured on this web site are offered without respect to race, color, creed, sex, national origin, physical limitations, or familiar status. REALTORŪ is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORSŪ and subscribes to it's strict Code of Ethics.