Could Kentucky get rid of county clerks?

[SportsGuy41017]

I am hearing that since the Kim Davis issue has been the topic of discussion, that now there is talk that lawmakers are asking why we are paying county clerks? And may be looking into eliminating the position.

[Jim Schue]

They're still needed for deed research, so there's that, unless they want to fold that into a different department somehow.

[SportsGuy41017]

Maybe keep the department but not clerks? I was told about this talk, I do know they questioned the need for jailers in the past.

[Jim Schue]

Maybe keep the department but not clerks? I was told about this talk, I do know they questioned the need for jailers in the past.

 

Since the state won't eliminate the elected position of constable, despite its total uselessness in a modern society — constable's main job is to castrate livestock, I'm not joking about this — my guess is we won't see any elimination of the other elected offices.

[formerkywrestler]

For the life of me I cannot understand why it's an elected position.

[Jim Schue]

For the life of me I cannot understand why it's an elected position.

 

Separation of powers, so as to make sure the sheriff, judge-exec or any other office doesn't get too powerful.

[formerkywrestler]

Separation of powers, so as to make sure the sheriff, judge-exec or any other office doesn't get too powerful.

But what power do they even have?

[SportsGuy41017]

Since the state won't eliminate the elected position of constable, despite its total uselessness in a modern society — constable's main job is to castrate livestock, I'm not joking about this — my guess is we won't see any elimination of the other elected offices.

 

Point taken. How much do constables get per year?

[Jim Schue]

But what power do they even have?

 

Independence from the sheriff's office and judge-exec's office.

[MayfieldFan]

they are responsible for the recording of deeds and mortgages, they records liens on vehicles and boats and such, they issue marriage licenses, and they are responsible for elections, in that its the clerk that does the voting booths and counts the votes, and certifies the winners.

so eliminating the position would be a pretty big deal.

[Jim Schue]

Point taken. How much do constables get per year?

 

I don't know that there is any actual pay. Most who do it are people who simply are wanna-be cops, and can afford the bonding fee (minimum $10K, but many counties have chosen to make it much higher, in the hundreds of thousands), as well as all their own equipment. They still have extremely limited authority.

 

http://www.lrc.ky.gov/Statutes/statute.aspx?id=23209

[formerkywrestler]

Independence from the sheriff's office and judge-exec's office.

I guess I'm not following. If they don't have any power why do they need their independence?

[formerkywrestler]

I don't know that there is any actual pay. Most who do it are people who simply are wanna-be cops, and can afford the bonding fee (minimum $10K, but many counties have chosen to make it much higher, in the hundreds of thousands), as well as all their own equipment. They still have extremely limited authority.

 

http://www.lrc.ky.gov/Statutes/statute.aspx?id=23209

I know of at least two people who have done it to get the needed years for full retirement from the state.

[Jim Schue]

This is a long read, but it's interesting what I've read so far.

 

https://docjt.ky.gov/constables/Constable%20Report/Constable%20Report_single%20pg.pdf

[Jim Schue]

I guess I'm not following. If they don't have any power why do they need their independence?

 

To avoid having too many departments come under direct supervision and/or influence of the judge-exec.