The judge/executive is like the CEO of a county. While having no judicial power, the judge/executive is the chair and a voting member of the Fiscal Court.
Their main responsibilities are creating a county budget and administering the budget as approved by the fiscal court, oversight of the funds, appointing county personnel and forming relationships with organizations and industry leaders that support their county.
The judge/executive serves a four-year term and may be re-elected indefinitely.
According to the Commonwealth of Kentucky State Board of Elections, at the time of election, the candidate must be at least 24 years of age, a citizen of Kentucky and have resided in the state for two years, one of which must be preceding the candidates election in the county and district in which they are running.
Salary for the judge/executive is based on the population in their county and is intended to be a full-time job. Campbell, Kenton and Boone counties fall within a population of 90,000-499,000 people that the Kentucky Association of counties takes into consideration. Then the association bases the salary on one, two or three plus years spent in office. All three judge/executives have served over three years.
Based on the Kentucky Association of Counties Kenton County Judge/Executive Kris Knochelmann, Campbell County Judge/Executive Steve Pendery and Boone County Judge/Executive Gary Moore make $120,160 per year.
While other states have a type of governing executive, Kentucky is the only state with judge/executives. All 120 counties in the state have their own judge/executive.
Steve Pendery has served as the Campbell County Judge/Executive since November 1998, making this year his 24th year in office. Though some might argue this is a bad thing, Pendery said the position is not something you take turns doing.
Pendery is running for reelection in this year’s primaries. He faces opponent Anna Zinkhon, who ran against Pendery in 2018. For more information on those candidates and their campaigns, click here.
Judge/executive receives administrative reports from directors whose offices utilize county funds, such as the animal shelter, external affairs, public works, technology services and parks/buildings, and grounds/golf courses. The Fiscal Court also hears reports from the County Attorney, Commissioners and the judge/executive during meetings.
The fiscal court votes on county ordinances, court orders and resolutions. The judge/executive is in charge of enforcing those and all contracts entered into by the fiscal court. As well as all state laws subject to enforcement by the judge/executive.
They are responsible for preparing and submitting an annual budget to the fiscal court and administering it when adopted by the fiscal court. The judge/executive is also responsible for keeping the fiscal court aware of the financial condition and needs of the county.
The position has the authority, with the approval of the fiscal court, to appoint, supervise, suspend and remove county personnel. With the support of the fiscal court, a judge/executive can make appointments to remove members from boards, commissions and designated administrative positions.
If an elected position was to sit vacantly, The judge/executive could appoint someone to fill the position.
An example of this occurred in 2015 when Campbell County Judge/Executive Steve Pendery appointed current Campbell County Jailer Jim Daley after previous Jailer Greg Buckler left the role. His position had yet to expire. The judge/executive does not fill Sheriff, County Clerk, or Jailer positions otherwise. However, they do create relationships with people to better their counties.
A big part of the role involves forming relationships with organizations like Brighton Center and Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky that provide resources to people in the county and industry leaders such as TANK and the Northern Kentucky Water District that may affect the county.
Fiscal Court meetings are open to the public and anyone living within the county can address the court and judge/executive with any complaints or concerns they might have.