Lexington Restricts Public Access to Gov’t Offices

DEM Blogger

March 21, 2020

Mayor Linda Gorton said Government buildings will restrict access to walk-in visitors, effective Monday, March 23.

Government services, including police, fire, garbage pick-up and recycling, will continue.

The restriction will continue until further notice.

The City has made a number of changes related to the fall-out from COVID-19, including:

• Police Headquarters will not be open for public access. Police reports can be submitted online at gov/citizen-report. The public can also call 859-258-3600 with criminal activity concerns. As always, for emergencies, 9-1-1 should be called.
• City Fire Stations are currently closed to public walk-in traffic, except during times of emergency.
• The City will suspend the recycling of electronic waste, effective today. Other recycling services will continue.
• The New Life Day Center has suspended the Panhandler Jobs program because it cannot operate and maintain social distancing.

The restriction on foot traffic will also prompt changes in bill payment:

• Building Inspection: All Building Inspection Permit payments can be paid by credit card online. Checks and money orders can be mailed to the address below. Checks, money orders, and cash payments can be deposited at the LexServ drop box in front of the Government Center, 200 East Main St. Payments deposited in the LexServ drop box need to include the purpose of the payment, and a copy of the emailed invoice or the record number and purpose of payment.  No permits will be issued until payment has been received.

Division of Building Inspection

200 E. Main St.

Lexington, KY  40507

• Engineering: Land Disturbance Permit payments can be made by credit card online. Checks and money orders can be mailed to the address below. Checks, money orders, and cash payments can be deposited at the LexServ drop box in front of the Government Center, 200 East Main St. Payments deposited in the LexServ drop box need to include the purpose of the payment and applicant contact information.  No permits will be issued until payment has been received. Engineering plans can be dropped off to the Security desk at the same address.

Division of Engineering

101 E. Vine St.

4th Floor

Lexington, KY  40507

• Water Quality: All Sanitary Sewer Connection Fee payments (tap-on permit, plug permit, capacity reservations or pay item agreements) paid by check or money order can be mailed to the address below.  All permit applications should include a valid email address so that a permit can be issued once full payment has been received. No permits will be issued until payment has been received.

Attn: Division of Water Quality – Tap On Desk

Town Branch WWTP

301 Jimmy Campbell Drive

Lexington, KY  40511

• Division of Revenue: To register a new business entity, please visit www.lexingtonky.gov. Click on “2020 Occupational tax forms,” then “Current year forms.” Click on Form 228 IP – application for a license fee account.

To submit the application with payment for a new business license account, or any correspondence to the Division of Revenue, mail to the address below or place the payment in the LexServ drop box located in front of the Government Center, 200 East Main St.

LFUCG Division of Revenue

200 East Main St.

Lexington, KY 40507

• LexServ: The LexServ Payment Center will be closed. If you would like to drop off a LexServ payment, use the LexServ drop box located in front of the Government Center, 200 East Main St.

• Division of Planning: Payments, including filing fees for applications and filings, can be mailed to the address below. All application materials, including notification letters, can be delivered to the Security desk at the same address. Applications will not be scheduled for review until payment is received.

Division of Planning

101 E. Vine St., Suite 700

Lexington, KY  40507

There are also changes for City employees:

Generally, government employees whose work allows for telecommuting are working from home, Gorton said.  That involves about 700 people.

“However, we have many positions where people cannot telecommute … like police and fire officers or street crews,” Gorton said. Those employees have been instructed to socially distance themselves in the workplace.

John Maxwell, the City’s Director of Human Resources, said if employees who cannot telecommute feel they need to stay home, they can take sick leave or vacation time. The City has established a process for employees who have used all of their sick leave time to borrow time.

The City has a thorough, updated webpage where anyone can gain access to COVID-19 information, support and resources in various languages: www.lexingtonky.gov/coronavirus-response.