A Kentucky House Committee on Monday passed a constitutional amendment measure that would eliminate the Fayette County Judge Executive’s office. Current Judge Executive John Roberts and his predecessor Jon Larson testified before the House Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee in support of the bill. Roberts says there are redundancies within the office. For example, he says his office receives checks from the state to pave rural roads. “Law department picks that up and says, 'Okay, we need to pass a resolution to pay the money that John brought us with a check,'" Roberts explained. "Take me out of it. Council can do that, every bit of it.”
Roberts is referring to the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council. He says eliminating the office would save the county $21,000 annually.
Bill Co-Sponsor Stan Lee says any ballot related costs would be offset. “The savings to Fayette County over the long term would far outweigh any potential initial cost on the ballot which I don’t believe there really is any,” said Lee.
The committee approved the measure. If it makes it through the general assembly, the issue would go on the statewide ballot as a constitutional amendment. ?
