Frequently Asked Questions about County Government Answered

Although county government directly impacts many aspects of all our daily lives, many people haven’t been educated about its structure or functions. We’re trying to change that, one article at a time. Here are some of the basic questions we’ve been asked the most. We hope this helps folk understand more about the Fiscal Court and what we do.

• How is county government structured in Kentucky?

  • Kentucky has a system of fiscal courts in each county, which serve as the primary governing body. The county Judge-Executive (Harry Clark) and four Magistrates (Ray White, Darrel Glover, Charlie Winkleman, and Rob Hamm) make up the Fiscal Court in Rowan County.

• What are Fiscal Courts anyway?

  • As the county’s governing body, the Fiscal Court oversees county operations, approves budgets, and makes policy decisions. This governing also encompasses the activities and responsibilities associated with making local laws (ordinances), overseeing the administration of county services, and representing the interests of the community. A basic source for the powers and duties of the fiscal court is KRS 67.080.

• What do magistrates do?

  • The magistrates can be thought of as “legislators” because they participate in legislative functions that shape county policies. They serve as representatives, voicing the concerns of people in their district during Fiscal Court meetings. They also collaborate with county and state employees for efficient service delivery, such as in the case of road maintenance and funding requests. Their role also involves community engagement, ensuring effective communication and responsiveness to local needs.

• I don’t know what district I live in or who my magistrate is. How can I find out?

  • Do you know your voting precinct?

  • District 1's precincts include: North Morehead, Brushy, Courthouse, Fleming, and Pine Hill.

  • District 2's precincts include: Upper and Lower Farmers, Thomas Addition, and Bluestone.

  • District 3's precincts include: Hog Town, Clearfield, City Hall, Dry Creek, and West Morehead.

  • District 4's precincts include: Rodburn, Eadston, Pine Grove, and Christy.

  • If you don't know your voting precinct or district, call the County Clerk's Office at 606-784-5212.

• How can I get in touch with my magistrate? What about the Judge?

  • Ray White, Magistrate District 1

    Phone: (606) 783-1529

    Email: rwhite@haroldwhitelumber.com

  • Darrell Glover, Magistrate District 2

    Phone: (606) 780-7193

    Email: dlglover1200@yahoo.com

  • Charlie Winkleman, Magistrate District 3

    Phone: (606) 784-3979

    Email: winklemanfarms@windstream.net

  • Rob Hamm, Magistrate District 4

    Phone: (606) 784-8806

    Email: Robert.hamm@kctcs.edu

  • Harry Clark, Judge-Executive

    Phone: (606) 784-5151

    Email: harry.clark@rcky.us

• What does the Judge-Executive do?

  • In contrast, the county Judge-Executive is the Chief Executive and Administrative Officer of the county government. The responsibilities of the County Judge-Executive as defined by KRS 67.719 are as follows:

    • appoints, supervises, suspends, and removes Rowan County personnel;

    • executes all ordinances, resolutions, and contracts of the Fiscal Court;

    • oversees performance of all administrative duties;

    • furnishes the Fiscal Court with information concerning the operations of the County departments, boards, or commissions;

    • requires all Rowan County officials whose offices utilize County funds, and all boards, special districts, and commissions to provide annual financial reports to the Fiscal Court;

    • prepares, submits, and executes the annual budget and advises the Fiscal Court on the financial condition and needs of the County;

    • with the approval of the Fiscal Court, makes appointments to or remove members from boards, commissions, and designated administrative positions.

• How can I participate in Fiscal Court meetings?

  • Anyone can attend public meetings of the Fiscal Court, and everyone has opportunities to speak during public comment. The regular Fiscal Court meeting schedule is on our county website, rcky.us. Special sessions are announced in advance on Facebook at @RCFiscalCourt, and agendas of both regular and special meetings are posted prior to the meetings on Facebook (@RCFiscalCourt) as well. The Fiscal Court meeting is streamed on Facebook Live, and citizens can view in real-time and leave comments.

• How can I report questions, issues, or concerns to the correct office?

  Utilize our website rcky.us for a directory of all our county services and officials. Below are some useful numbers to call about common issues:

  • Road concerns- Rowan County Road Department- (606) 784-4492

  • Occupational taxes, net profits, business regulations- Finance Director’s Office- (606) 784-6218

  • Floodplain assessments, report illegal dumping- Tyler Brown- (606) 784-6345

  • Request an address/E-911 addressing- Eric McCarty- (606) 780-0704

  • Dog complaints outside the city limits- Rowan County Animal Control: (606) 784-4930

  • Get or renew driver’s license- KYTC Driver’s Licensing Regional Office (Morehead): 606-691-6045

  • Vehicle registration, delinquent tax sales, elections, record keeping- County Clerk’s Office: (606) 784-5212

  • Non-emergency Sheriff’s Office- (606) 784-5446; non-emergency dispatch line after hours- 606-784-7511