A Piece of History – Kentucky County Judges
Kentucky’s Judge-Executives play a unique role in municipal and state government, a position not present in many other parts of the country. There is a rich history behind this, going all the way back to when our state was first formed.
Kentucky's first two Constitutions, in 1792 and 1799, did not provide for a county judge; during this time, Justices of the Peace were the most important local judicial officials. Their duties included responsibility for county administrative matters.
It wasn’t until 1850 that the Kentucky Constitution provided for a county judge. During that time, the County Judge presided over county court, the court of claims, and quarterly court; these functioned the duties of legislation, taxation, maintaining county funds, and minor civil jurisdiction.
Under the 1891 Constitution, the County Judge’s role combined a number of judicial, legislative and administrative duties. Over the years, more duties of an executive and administrative nature and fewer judicial ones were assigned to the county judge by the General Assembly, until in 1975, when the County Judge was no longer a judicial officer.
During the 1976 Extraordinary Session, the General Assembly restyled the office of County Judge by enacting legislation that strengthened and clarified its administrative and executive powers. The title of the office was changed from County Judge to County Judge/Executive, underscoring the altered nature and duties of the position.
Today, a Kentucky County Judge-Executive can be expected to:
Execute the ordinances and resolutions of the Fiscal Court
Periodically prepare an Administrative Code for Fiscal Court approval
Furnish the Fiscal Court with information concerning the operations of county departments and boards
To require all county officials and their offices to make a detailed annual financial report
To submit an annual budget to the Fiscal Court and administer the provisions after its adoption
To appoint, supervise, suspend, and remove county personnel (unless otherwise provided by state law) with the approval of the Fiscal Court,
With the approval of the fiscal court, make appointments to or remove members from such boards, commissions, and designated administrative positions.
Article by Cindy Leach with information courtesy of Find a Grave, Ancestry.com, Juanita Blair, Jack Ellis, Fred Brown, Savannah Eaglin, and Dylan Lambert.