The Urban County Council is reviewing proposed changes to Lexington, Kentucky’s ethics act. The changes would be the first major overhaul of the act since 1994, when it was first enacted.

Among the proposals, the mayor will be given sole authority to appoint members of the ethics commission, with confirmation by the Council, and same-sex and domestic partners will be included in the financial disclosure requirements and prohibition against nepotism. The issue of lobbyist registration was also discussed but was dismissed because most people speaking to the council are private citizens rather than paid lobbyists.

No vote was held, but the changes will be discussed again at the Council’s November meeting.

Photo of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Building by Nyttend on Wikimedia Commons.