Court Opinion

ID: 9676368
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 05:22:55.729529+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:16:48.077157
License: Public Domain

OSBORNE, Justice
(dissenting).
A reexamination of this entire matter has convinced me that that we were in error when we decided Pinchback v. Stephens, Ky., 484 S.W.2d 327 (1972). I am now convinced that the constitution of this state will not permit any county or municipal governmental structure, other than that specifically outlined in the constitution and that KRS 67A.010 etc., creates a structure completely foreign to that document. While it is true that the Supreme Court of Indiana in Dortch v. Lugar, Ind., 266 N. E.2d 25 (1971), did permit the consolidation of city and county governments in that state without a specific amendment or provision in the constitution, there is no indication that the Constitution of Indiana was as detailed upon this subject as is the constitution of this state.
When our neighboring state of Tennessee was faced with this problem they specifically amended Article 11, § 9, of the constitution of that state and in explicit terms authorized the consolidation of municipal and county governments, see Frazer v. Carr, 210 Tenn. 565, 360 S.W.2d 449 (1962).
As a result of the majority opinion today rendered, I foresee vast uncertainty and a sea of litigation with a result that will ultimately totally emasculate our constitutional provisions as they relate to local government. Our constitution is much too detailed to permit of this a totally new form of local government. A cursory examination of that document reveals that there are thirty-five sections that deal with cities alone, not to mention the vast provisions for the operation and control of county government.
For my parting observation upon the matter, I would like to point out that §.156 of the Constitution provides:
“The cities and towns of this Commonwealth, for the purposes of their organization and government, shall be divided into six classes. The organization and powers of each class shall be defined and provided for by general law, so that all municipal corporations of the same class *485shall possess the same powers and be subject to the same restrictions.”
(Emphasis ours).
If I am correct in my assumption that Lexington is either a city or town, then under this provision of the constitution, it must be placed in one of the six classes as provided therein and it must be governed by the general laws as they apply to that class. It must possess the same powers and be subject to the same restrictions as all other cities of that class. It matters not what rationalization is used nor how many thousands of words are poured upon the subject, this provision of the constitution is being violated by the majority opinion today.
For the foregoing reasons I most respectfully dissent.