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A RESOLUTION recognizing February 9, 2022, as County Day in Kentucky. 1
WHEREAS, every state in the United States of America uses a form of county 2
government in some capacity; and 3
WHEREAS, in the days before the creation of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the 4
land that would become sovereign territory of the Commonwealth was part of Fincastle 5
County in Virginia, and, in 1776, George Rogers Clark oversaw the legislation creating 6
Kentucky County therefrom; and 7
WHEREAS, recognizing this genesis, the Commonwealth's very roots were steeped 8
in the county form of government; and 9
WHEREAS, for many years, counties performed a judicial capacity, as well as an 10
administrative capacity, establishing their utmost importance in the daily lives of their 11
residents in the nascent history of the Commonwealth of Kentucky; and 12
WHEREAS, after the passage of the Judicial Article in 1976, the judicial capacity 13
formerly resident with the county courts was assigned to the Circuit and District Courts, 14
and the county courts cast their focus on their fiscal and administrative duties for the 15
citizens of their counties; and 16
WHEREAS, the county serves as an interface between the citizens and the 17
Commonwealth, and as a point of contact for receiving revenues from the state and 18
federal government for capital projects as well as for other services which improve the 19
quality of life for the residents of the county; and 20
WHEREAS, county governments themselves provide inestimable services for their 21
citizens, such as preservation of the peace; protection of persons and property from fire 22
and other emergent and dangerous conditions; provision of potable water; collection and 23
treatment of waste; provision of roads and other transportation infrastructure; provision of 24
healthcare; protection of the population from criminals through the provision of houses of 25
detention; conservation, preservation, and protection of natural spaces, including the flora 26
and fauna therein; provision of utility services that are vital to the health and comfort of 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 22 RS BR 1758
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the counties' residents; and promotion of health and recreation through programs and 1
facilities, including public parks, libraries, and museums; and 2
WHEREAS, each year, nationally, county governments' investment in water 3
systems, public facilities, broadband services, and transportation alone exceeds $100 4
billion; and 5
WHEREAS, it shall be further noted that county governments own and maintain the 6
greatest amount of miles of roads which directly serve to enhance and sustain Kentucky's 7
economy and the citizens' vitality and security; and 8
WHEREAS, it must be emphasized that while the county governments provide 9
these services that promote the health, enjoyment, and well-being of the citizens of the 10
counties, the government itself is an abstraction that is dependent upon the county 11
officials and employees constituting that government form; and 12
WHEREAS, these officials and employees work for the county not only for a living, 13
but in a majority of instances, out of a sense of civic duty and a desire to promote the 14
prosperity, health, and well-being of the citizens of the county; and 15
WHEREAS, in recent times, facing challenges of a global pandemic and natural 16
disasters of an unprecedented scope, county officials and employees have risen to meet 17
these challenges, and have excelled in doing so; and 18
WHEREAS, in consideration of the inestimable serves provided at the county level, 19
it is fitting and proper to recognize counties, and their officials and employees, for their 20
service; and 21
WHEREAS, the Kentucky Association of Counties works tirelessly to promote the 22
welfare of county governments, and, in turn, the welfare of the citizens of those counties; 23
NOW, THEREFORE, 24
Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of 25
Kentucky: 26
Section 1. The Senate recognizes February 9, 2022, as County Day in Kentucky 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 22 RS BR 1758
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and commends the elected and appointed county officials, county employees and 1
volunteers on their civic-mindedness and willingness to serve in these vital roles in such 2
an excellent manner. 3
Section 2. The Clerk of the Senate is directed to transmit a copy of this 4
Resolution to Senator Robby Mills for presentation to Boyle County Magistrate Phil 5
Sammons, President, and Jim Henderson, Executive Director, Kentucky Association of 6
Counties, 400 Englewood Drive, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601. 7