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In Kentucky, county governments are managed by the County Judge-Executive and the Fiscal Court, magistrates elected to represent either the county at large or specific districts. This style of government dates back to Medieval England, when Justices of the Peace provided administration of support for the poor, repair of roads, local taxation, and the trial of felonies and trespasses. Initially these representatives were appointed, but the 1850 Kentucky Constitution changed the offices to elective. In 1978, one other important change was enacted with the Judical Amendment to the Constitution. This amendment moved the judicial powers of local governments to the State District and Circuit Court judicial branch of government. Since then, Kentucky local governments only have responsibility for the executive and legislative branches of government.
105 Kentucky counties use the “justice of the peace” form. The other 15 follow the county commissioner form of government with each commissioner representing the county-at-large. Two counties have merged city-county governments that consolidate local governing for these urban areas. Statutory guidance for governing Kentucky counties is found in Chapter 67 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes.
Nelson County Fiscal Court includes the County Judge Executive (CJE) and five magistrates elected for four year terms. The County Judge/Executive is a member and the presiding officer of the fiscal court, by virtue of Section 144 of the Constitution. In addition, the CJE is the chief executive of the county. KRS 67.710 charges the CJE with the execution of all ordinances and resolutions of the fiscal court, all contracts entered into by the fiscal court and all state laws subject to enforcement by him or by officers under his supervision.
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