Citizens' Advocate Office
Created in the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Charter to provide citizens an ombudsman or independent agent with the government, the Citizens' Advocate:
- Investigates citizens' complaints.
- Discloses any irregularities or abuses found in the LFUCG or with its officers, agents or employees.
- Recommends policy changes to improve citizen access to LFUCG departments, divisions, agencies and offices.
- Suggests ways to strengthen the government system.
- Provides callers with information and referrals.
In response to recommendations from the Mayor’s Commission for Racial Justice & Equality, the Urban County Council increased the hours of the Citizens’ Advocate in the FY22 Budget. This increase will allow the Citizens’ Advocate to assist residents in filing public safety complaints. Details regarding this new responsibility will be posted soon.
The Citizens' Advocate Office is not a substitute or replacement for a department's normal complaint resolution mechanism. The complainant must make a reasonable effort to solve the problem with the agency before contacting this office. In order to investigate, the involved agency must be part of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government.
Please Note: The Citizens' Advocate is not authorized to investigate complaints against:
- Elected officials outside the Urban County Government
- Constitutional offices, courts, fiscal court or county clerk
- State or federal government offices
- Private parties
- Outside agencies or non-governmental organizations
- Police officers