Does the Secretary of State provide a Quick-Guide for filing city boundary changes pursuant to KRS 81A.470?
Yes. Please click here.
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What is the basis for these maps?
City Boundary Annexations were mapped beginning with the KRS 81.045 filing and all subsequent boundary changes were added to the KRS 81.045 boundary.
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How are City Boundary Annexation Ordinances mapped?
The metes and bounds from the annexation ordinances are plotted using DeedRunner software. Once the calls are put in, DGI stafff determines a point of beginning for the survey and uses the DeedRunner software to export the data to a shafefile. The shapefile location is further refined using the annexation ordinance description, map provided to Secretary of State along with the use of aerial photography, topographic maps, and any other supplemental information that helps the annexation.
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What makes an Annexation filing unmappable?
The following issues make it difficult/impossible for the state to map the annexation ordinances:
-No metes and bounds survey provided
-Not being able to determine a point of beginning
-Bad survey calls/surveys not closing
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How often is the mapping updated on the web?
City boundary annexations are continually updated as documents are received from the Secretary of State's Land Records Office. Updates are updated to the web on a monthly basis (at the first of every month).
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Where can I view City Boundaries online?
An internet mapping site with City Boundaries can be viewed online at: http://kygeonet.ky.gov/kycities/viewer.htm.
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Where can I download the City Boundary GIS data?
City boundaries in GIS ESRI Shapefile format can be downloaded from the Kentucky Geography Network at: ftp://ftp.kymartian.ky.gov/dlgbnd/
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Why isn't our city listed on your database?
Cities that comply with KRS 81.045 form the basis of the Secretary of State's Kentucky Cities Website. New cities incorporated under KRS 81.050 and KRS 81.060, both enacted in 1980, are also included on this website. We have added information from the 1942-1980 filings as a matter of historical interest.
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Why does your listing of "County Seats" list 122 cities if there are only 120 counties?
Two Kentucky counties have two cities identified as county seats. Campbell County lists Alexandria and Newport as the county seat. Kenton County lists Independence and Covington as the county seat. (reference: Kentucky Counties Fact Sheet, published by the Public Records Division of the Kentucky Department for Libraries & Archives.)
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What is an Area Development District (ADD)?
An ADD is a regional organization that assists in the formulation and implementation of human resource and infrastructure related plans. On March 30, 1967, Gov. Ned Breathitt signed Executive Order 67-233 which divided Kentucky into 15 multi-county regions for planning purposes. Gov. Louie Nunn's Executive Order 71-267, signed Nov. 16, 1971, established ADDs as the official regional planning and development agencies for their respective areas. In 1972, the Kentucky General Assembly enacted legislation (now found in KRS 147A 050-140) which provided the basic organizational structure.
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Why doesn't a link to our city's website appear on the Secretary of State's city page?
We are making a concerted effort to include all non-commercial links to city websites. Due to changes in URL addresses and the constant development of new city websites, we are not always aware of additions and revisions that need to be made. Please notify us of any non-commercial city links that should appear on your city page by contacting the Land Office, Secretary of State, Capitol Building, Frankfort, KY 40601 or 502-564-3490. Those links will be tested and added.
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Who compiled the Census information for the Cities Database?
The Kentucky State Data Center, University of Louisville, supplied the city population totals for this website. There are two categories: (1) United State Decennial Census for 1970 through 2000; and (2) city population estimates for 1990 through 1999. As the Kentucky Data Center receives copies of city filings, such as annexations and deannexations from the Secretary of State's Office, population estimates are adjusted to reflect boundary changes. Population estimates will be revised and forwarded to the Secretary of State's Office for periodic updates. For other demographic information regarding Kentucky, visit the Kentucky State Data Center's website at: http://www.cbpa.louisville.edu/ksdc.
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What are your references for incorporation & establishment dates as well as historical notations?
Filings by the city government, Acts of the Kentucky General Assembly, The Kentucky Encyclopedia, Glenn Clift's publication on Kentucky Cities, and research by Dr. Eugene Harrell, former director of the Secretary of State's Land Office.
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Please tell us about the pictures of Kentucky Cities on your website.
Several photographs of Kentucky cities were generously donated to our website by Dr. Gene Burch, Frankfort, KY. We invite you to share your photographs of Kentucky cities on our website. Information on submitting photographs is included on the city pages. If more than one picture is submitted and approved for inclusion on a city page, the pictures will appear in random sequence.
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What is "The Gold Book"?
This publication is a directory of state and federal government, state employees, state legislators, state judiciary, area development districts, educational institutions, city and county officials, news media and other professional listings and associations. For more information, contact Clark Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 24766, Lexington, KY 40524, phone 1-800-944-3995, fax 606-233-7421, or on-line at http://www.clarkpublishing.com. The Secretary of State's Office will receive periodic updates from The Gold Book. If you see corrections that need to be made, please send that information to the Gold Book at Clark Publishing, Inc.
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Frequently the term "Commonwealth" is used to refer to Kentucky. What is a Commonwealth?
According to The Historical Atlas of Kentucky & Her Counties, by Wendell H. Rone, Sr., the two designations "Commonwealth" and "State" were synonymous in the late 1700s. The Historical Atlas states:
"The term Commonwealth goes back to the time of Oliver Cromwell when he created the Commonwealth of States or Colonies of Great Britain. 'Commonweal'-for the good of all-was the meaning implied. Virginia, Massachusetts, & Pennsylvania were Commonwealths of Great Britain. A Commonwealth in America is a State having its immediate outgrowth from one of the original Colonies." In his article in The Kentucky Encyclopedia, Ron Bryant states: "Commonwealth is a part of the official name of Kentucky, as decided by the first Assembly on June 4, 1792…The first use of the word commonwealth in official documents regarding Kentucky occurred in 1785, when the inhabitants of the Kentucky District petitioned Virginia to recognize Kentucky as a 'free and independent state, to be known by the name of the 'Commonwealth of Kentucky'."
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How is City Classification determined?
The process of classifying Kentucky Cities is addressed in the Kentucky Constitution. In 1994 Kentucky voters repealed Section 156 of the 1891 Constitution by ratifying a constitutional amendment which created Sections 156a and 156b (pertaining to municipal home rule for cities).
Section 156a reads as follows:
Section 156a. General Assembly authorized to provide for creation, governmental structure, and classification of cities. The General Assembly may provide for the creation, alteration of boundaries, consolidation, merger, dissolution, government, functions, and officers of cities. The General Assembly shall create such classifications of cities as it deems necessary based on population, tax base, form of government, geography, or any other reasonable basis and enact legislation relating to the classifications. All legislation relating to cities of a certain classification shall apply equally to all cities within the same classification. The classification of all cities and the law pertaining to the classifications in effect at the time of adoption of this section shall remain in effect until otherwise provided by law. (Text as ratified on: November 8, 1994)
To date, the Kentucky General Assembly has not passed legislation that establishes a new process for classifying Kentucky Cities. As Section 156, approved in 1891, has not been superceded, the original requirements prevail.
The 1891 Kentucky Constitution was the first of Kentucky’s four Constitutions to base legislative districts on population. Section 156 established a system of classification that assigns cities to one of six classes determined by population. Population requirements for each of the six classes as set forth in Section 156 are:
First Class -- 100,000 or more
Second Class -- 20,000 to 99,999
Third Class -- 8,000 to 19,999
Fourth Class -- 3,000 to 7,999
Fifth Class -- 1,000 to 2,999
Sixth Class -- 999 or less
Section 156 also addresses the process for changing a city’s classification:
“The General Assembly shall assign the cities and towns of the Commonwealth to the classes to which they respectively belong, and change assignments made as the population of said cities and towns may increase or decrease, and in the absence of other satisfactory information as to their population, shall be governed by the last preceding Federal census in so doing; but no city or town shall be transferred from one class to another, except in pursuance of a law previously enacted and providing therefore..”
Kentucky Revised Statute 81.036 pertains to the recording of reclassification with the Secretary of State. It states:
“Upon reclassification of an incorporated area, the General Assembly shall provide the Secretary of State notice of the reclassification and a copy of the certified information which was presented to the General Assembly. Such information shall be maintained by the Secretary of State along with other information relating to such area as required by KRS 81.045.” (Effective July 15, 1986. History: Created 1986 Ky. Acts Ch. 151, sec 3, effective July 15, 1986)
As the Kentucky General Assembly reclassifies Kentucky Cities, those changes are added to the city’s page on the Secretary of State’s website. If the legislation does not include an effective date for the reclassification, the reclassification will become effective on the date set by the Attorney General for all legislation approved during that session. If the legislation includes an emergency clause, the Enrolled Bill will become law upon the Governor’s signature.
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Until requirements for city reclassification are changed by the Kentucky Constitution, what statute explains the present reclassification process?
Until requirements for city reclassification are changed by the Kentucky General Assembly, as provided by Section 156a of the Kentucky Constitution, what statute explains the present reclassification process?
The reclassification process is defined in KRS 81.032 which states:
81.032 Requirements for reclassification of an incorporated area.
(1) Prior to the reclassification of any incorporated area by the General
Assembly, the legislative body of such area shall provide to the
General Assembly by certified resolution the population data as
required by subsections (2) and (3) of this section.
(2) Prior to the reclassification of any incorporated area by the General
Assembly, such area shall have attained the population
requirements as established by Section 156 of the Constitution of
the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
(3) The population of any city proposed for reclassification shall be
based on consideration of the most recent municipal population estimates as provided by the United States Bureau of Census, except that if recent growth in a city makes such estimates invalid, a city may submit for consideration an affidavit to certify such new growth. Such an affidavit shall by supported by documentation which may include more recent property valuation information, door to door population counts or other municipal data, such as annexation records, which may not be included in the recent population estimates.
Effective: July 15, 1986
History: Created 1986 Ky. Acts ch. 151, sec. 1, effective
July 15, 1986.
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Please explain the term “Effective Date to be Determined” for city filings regarding classification changes.
Legislation passed by both chambers of the Kentucky General Assembly, submitted to the Governor for signature consideration, then sent to the Secretary of State for filing are known as Enrolled Bills. The effective date for each Enrolled Bill can vary.
1. If the Enrolled Bill states a specific effective date, the bill becomes law on that date.
2. If the Enrolled Bill includes an emergency clause, the bill becomes law immediately after the Governor’s signature is affixed (or filing with the Secretary of State if the Governor chooses not to affix his signature).
3. In Kentucky most Enrolled Bills do not include a specific effective date or emergency clause. Generally the Bills become law 90 days after sine die adjournment. The actual date is set by the Attorney General.
We will update the city filing information regarding reclassification as soon as the effective date of the Enrolled Bill has been determined and announced by the Attorney General’s Office.