Lexington's city councilmembers get a lot of headlines, and rightfully so. But, did you know the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG) council also relies on a group of full-time legislative aides to keep LEX's wheels turning? Join us in this ongoing series as we meet the people behind the scenes who help make Lexington special.

Layton Garlington has been the legislative aide to Lexington's fifth district since 2021, working with Councilmember Liz Sheehan. We recently spoke with Garlington rto learn more about his experience working inside city government + tips for becoming a more engaged Lexingtonian.

What's one piece of info you wish every Lexingtonian knew?

"I wish that every Lexingtonian knew how incredible of a resource LexCall 311 is. This service is a local call center that connects residents with relevant local government offices to help address common issues like missed waste collection, sidewalk and paving concerns, housing issues and so much more. The dedicated LFUCG employees who work there are exceptional public servants who are extremely knowledgeable about who can best address problems across the city.

I’m letting you in on a bit of a secret, but I have been known to use 311’s online portal to submit (service request) tickets for the Council office when we are contacted by residents. That way we have a tracking number for any outstanding cases. I cannot say enough good things about LexCall."

What sets your district apart from the others?

"The 5th District has been my home since I moved here in 2017. I adore our parks, particularly Johnson Heights and Lansdowne Merrick. My favorite places to order food on a chilly night are Taj Indian Restaurant on Patchen Drive and Big Kahuna Hawaiian BBQ on Liberty Road. It’s also no secret that some of Lexington’s most popular neighborhoods are nestled in D5: Chevy Chase, Kenwick, Ashland, Ashland Park, Idle Hour, and so many more."

What is your proudest moment so far?

"I was honored to be here during the passage of an ordinance outlawing the roundly discredited practice of 'conversion therapy' for minors in Fayette County. The councilmember I work for was asked to be a co-sponsor of this local legislation within her first year in office. Lexington has a rich history of protection for our LGBTQ+ neighbors, and being even a small part of that storied tradition is something I will carry with me throughout my life."

Legislative aides like to go out and get their hands dirty. | Photo via Layton Garlington

What is one common misconception about LFUCG?

"A common misconception that we run into with regular frequency is confusion over which entities are or are not 'the city.' LexPark, Fayette County Public Schools, the Health Department, the Sheriff’s office, etc. are all separate entities that we work closely with, but have largely no oversight over.

Helping people navigate these sometimes complex networks is a very rewarding aspect of my job, so please continue to lean on your Council offices if you are unsure of where to turn for any issue that you are facing. While we may not have the answers ourselves, we can help you find them."

What is something besides voting Lexingtonians can do to be more involved in their community?

"First, I would highly encourage folks, particularly our renters, to see if they live in an area with an active neighborhood association, and if not, to get one formed. You only need three people to have a legally recognized association in Kentucky. We need all kinds of perspectives when it comes to advocating for our neighborhoods.

Additionally, the city has recently launched an online public engagement tool called Engage Lexington to help the community stay updated on issues at the local level. We are excited to see that platform grow and continue to get real-time feedback from Lexingtonians."

Just a suggestion to help with cutting word count + since this is kind of a specific question it might not resonate with EVERYONE

What do you love most about Lexington?

"I grew up in northern Louisiana and then spent many years in Bowling Green, Kentucky before finding my way to Lexington. I fell in love rather quickly with the physical layout and feel of this community — being able to access a renowned greenspace within a 15-minute drive of the urban center is unique. I also greatly appreciate our non-partisan local government. While our officials have a variety of political opinions, there are no set 'teams,' so unlikely coalitions form on a range of issues because of that."

only because I can expect the Karens to be like LEXINGTON IS ALREADY GREAT WTF