By: Tommy Druen, Syndicated Columnist
The Office of Magistrate or Commissioner is difficult to define. Perhaps it is because the offices
do not get as much attention as those on a state and federal level. Maybe it’s because the titles
come from a more antiquated time. Most likely, though, is because it is difficult to put a
definition on an office that does so much.
In 1792, upon approval of statehood, the framers of our constitution wisely recognized that the
Commonwealth is too big and too diverse to be governed solely from a central location.
Borrowing from the English traditions they knew well, the office of magistrate was created.
The office would have much variety. The General Assembly gave each county the flexibility to
choose how many magistrates would serve, as long as it fit within the range of three and eight.
Each county also decided if they should be elected by district or the county at-large. Lastly, as
the office evolved, some took on a commission form of government, leading to the term
commissioner. For the most part, the roles magistrates and commissioners play today are of such
similarity that the terms are used interchangeably.
From the onset, the office held many obligations, including the dual role of both judicial and
legislative functions. As our world shrunk through improvements in transportation and
education, the role of the magistrate would change as well. After the constitutional reforms of
1973, the judicial role went to the newly created district judges and the magistrates and
commissioners were able to focus solely on their legislative and fiscal duties.
Seventy years ago in April of 1952, a visionary group of magistrates and commissioners,
recognized the challenges of regionalism in Kentucky and knew that it held us back. In response,
the Kentucky Magistrates and Commissioners Association was founded. That organization,
stronger today than ever, has stayed true to its mission to encourage a closer relationship between
the magistrates and commissioners from across the breadth of the Commonwealth, to promote an
active interest in good government and civic affairs, and to aid in legislation that allows fiscal
courts to better operate in service to their counties.
Fixtures in the halls of Frankfort, the Kentucky Magistrates and Commissioners Association has
been a stalwart advocate for county government for decades. To a person, the KMCA has had the
ear of every governor dating back to Happy Chandler, as well as literally thousands of members
of the Kentucky General Assembly. Both members and staff of the association are frequently
called on to testify as experts on pending legislation.
The magistrates and commissioners of this state truly are experts, because no office is as close to
the people it represents. That provides them unique opportunities as well as obstacles, but also
leads to the challenge of defining a role that can be so varied.
On any given week, a magistrate might be the person the local farmer calls about a washed out
bridge. Or a commissioner will have someone reach out to them about an economic development
project. Maybe they have someone stop by their place of work to talk about salting the roads
during wintry weather. Maybe it’s working on expanding broadband access to the more rural
areas. All of this happens while they craft multimillion dollar budgets for their counties. Not one
other office in all of government faces the variety of issues our magistrates and commissioners
do on a near daily basis.
The men and women who serve in these roles wear a plethora of hats. They are expected to be
economists, meteorologists, architects, attorneys, agriculturalists, statesmen and a list that goes
on seemingly forever. And yet, they do it with a smile on their face. It’s not for the wealth, the
fame or the glory, because, ask any of them who serve, those will likely never be found.
No, the magistrates and commissioners of this state serve for other reasons. To a one, they seek
the office because they love where they live and want to find ways for them to improve. They are
our friends. They are our neighbors. They are the men and women who lead, albeit often quietly
and without seeking recognition.
They are Kentuckians.
Tommy Druen is a syndicated columnist. He is a 10th-generation Kentuckian who resides in
Scott County
Marshall County Commissioners
District 1 Justin Lamb
District 2 Kevin Spraggs
District 3 Monti Collins