Your voice for a new Hardin County

Just what is a Magistrate?

When I talk to voters — and even friends and family — about running for office, the first question I always get is ...

What is a magistrate?

In Kentucky, a county magistrate is an elected official who serves as a member of the county’s governing body, called the Fiscal Court. Think of a magistrate as a city council member, but at the county level.

Each magistrate represents a specific district within the county, making sure the voices and concerns of their local community are heard when decisions are made about county government. Magistrates are not judges, despite the somewhat confusing title. They are local legislators.

What does Fiscal Court do?

The Fiscal Court is the main governing body for county government in Kentucky. It’s made up of the County Judge/Executive and a group of magistrates (or commissioners, depending on the county structure).

The Fiscal Court is responsible for:

• Passing county laws and ordinances

• Approving the county budget

• Overseeing county services like roads, parks, emergency management, sanitation, and sometimes zoning

• Managing local tax dollars and making sure public money is spent responsibly

In short, the Fiscal Court is where big-picture decisions get made about how your county is run, how your tax money is used, and how your community grows.