KRS § 65.540 — KY Code / Title IX / Chapter 65 / Section 65.540
65.540 Members of authority -- Appointment, terms -- Removal -- Effect of compact
Status: in_force

65.540 Members of authority -- Appointment, terms -- Removal -- Effect of

compact.

(1) The members of the authority shall be appointed as follows:

(a) If the authority is established by a city, such members shall be appointed by

the mayor of the city;

(b) If the authority is established by a county, such members shall be appointed by

the county judge/executive with the approval of the fiscal court;

(c) If the authority is established as a joint city-county riverport authority, three

(3) members shall be appointed by the mayor and three (3) members by the

county judge/executive to the terms as provided in subsection (2) of this

section, and in addition, the mayor may appoint himself or a member of the

city legislative body as one (1) additional member of the authority and the

county judge/executive may appoint himself or a member of the fiscal court as

one (1) additional member of the authority for a term of two (2) years,

provided that such persons may not serve on the authority after the expiration

of their terms as an elected official;

(d) If a combination of cities and/or counties establishes a joint riverport

authority, the mayors and/or county judges/executive involved shall jointly

choose six (6) members to the terms as provided in subsection (2) of this

section, and shall jointly choose successors and may upon agreement appoint a

mayor or a member of a city legislative body and a county judge/executive or

a member of a fiscal court as two (2) additional members of the authority for

terms of two (2) years, provided that such persons may not serve on the

authority after the expiration of their terms as an elected official.

(2) Except as provided in subsection (1)(c) and (d) of this section, members of the

authority shall serve for a term of four (4) years each, and until their successors are

appointed and qualified, provided, however, that initial appointments shall be made

so that two (2) members are appointed for two (2) years, two (2) members for three

(3) years, and two (2) members for four (4) years. Upon expiration of these

staggered terms, successors shall be appointed for a term of four (4) years.

(3) A riverport authority member may be replaced by the appointing authority for

inefficiency, neglect of duty, malfeasance, or conflict of interest. The appointing

authority shall submit a written statement to the riverport authority setting forth the

reasons for removal, and the statement shall be read at the next authority meeting,

which shall be open to the general public. The member so removed shall have the

right of appeal in the Circuit Court. Except as provided in subsection (1)(c) and (d)

of this section no riverport authority member shall hold any official office with the

appointing authority.

(4) Notwithstanding subsection (2) of this section, when a city of the first class and a

county containing such city have in effect a compact under KRS 79.310 to 79.330,

the terms of the members of the authority shall be for three (3) years and until their

successors are appointed and qualified. Upon the effective date of the compact, the

county judge/executive with the approval of the fiscal court shall adjust the terms of

the sitting members so that one-third (1/3) of the terms expire in one (1) year, one-

third (1/3) expire in two (2) years, and one-third (1/3) expire in three (3) years.

Upon expiration of these staggered terms, successors shall be appointed for a term

of three (3) years. Upon the establishment of a consolidated local government in a

county where a city of the first class and a county containing that city have had in

effect a cooperative compact pursuant to KRS 79.310 to 79.330, all members of the

authority shall be appointed by the mayor of the consolidated local government for a

term of three (3) years pursuant to the provisions of KRS 67C.139. Incumbent

members upon the establishment of the consolidated local government shall

continue to serve as members of the authority for the time remaining on their

current terms of appointment.