Opinion ID: 2399233
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Circuit Court Clerk and Master Commissioner

Text: The same person held the offices of circuit court clerk and of master commissioner. Prior to his election as circuit court clerk, the fiscal court had entered an order under KRS 64.530 fixing his maximum compensation for that office at $7,200 (the constitutional limit under Section 246 of the Constitution of Kentucky). For the year 1954 he had net earnings as circuit court clerk, after deducting office expenses and the compensation of his deputies, in the amount of $7,590.44. This indicated an excess of $390.44 to be paid over to the county. However, he also received net earnings as master commissioner of $1,879.20. The question is whether he may retain this as compensation, in addition to the $7,200 received as circuit court clerk. The lower court held that the two offices were completely separable, and that the compensation as master commissioner could be retained. The judgment is clearly wrong on this point. Under Section 246 of the Constitution, the compensation of any public officer, other than those specifically named in the section and those having statewide jurisdiction, cannot exceed $7,200. The limit applies to the person, regardless of the number of offices he may hold. See Coleman v. Hurst, 226 Ky. 501, 11 S.W.2d 133; City of Louisville v. Gorman, 286 Ky. 477, 150 S.W.2d 931; Barker v. Barnes, Ky., 248 S. W.2d 901. Furthermore, KRS 64.620 provides that the compensation of any local officer, for services rendered in one or more offices or positions of employment, shall not exceed $7,200. And KRS 64.530(1) provides that for the purposes of fixing compensation, master commissioners shall be deemed to be county officers. The judgment should require that all net earnings of the combined offices in excess of $7,200 be paid over to the county as excess fees.