Kentucky League of Cities: City Officials Legal Handbook

Some city officials learn the hard way that good intentions are not enough. Lawmakers and courts have created a tangled web of dos and don'ts for elected and appointed officials. Whether you are a mayor, legislative body member, city attorney, or city manager, you have to find a way to navigate the legal maze to serve your citizens. Fortunately, you have the basis for what you need to know in your hands. The City Officials Legal Handbook represents a portion of the training and education you will need to help you understand your role as a city official. Each chapter breaks down complicated legal issues into plain language to provide the most important information to you. While the legal Handbook is not intended as legal advice or as a substitute for consultations with your city attorney, it is designed to provide city officials a "source of first resort" in Kentucky municipal law. The Handbook is updated every odd year to provide basic information about the framework of city government and how it functions, planning and conducting meetings, budgeting, taxes, planning and zoning, ethics, and more. As with any legal publication, there is always a chance the law will change between updates. Please work closely with your city attorney on legal matters, and contact the KLC Municipal Law staff with questions about the legal information provided in this Handbook.

The Kentucky League of Cities is a nonprofit association that provides a number of services including legal research and information, legislative advocacy, training, insurance, loss control, and employee benefits to nearly 400 cities across the state. Our job at the Kentucky League of Cities is to connect members with educational opportunities that will deepen your understanding of your role as a city official and help you to be the public servant who truly contributes to an improved quality of life for your citizens through effective local governance. Some of the most popular legal services KLC provides include: Access to sample ordinances on common topics such as nuisance enforcement, animal control, alcohol regulation, business licenses, and zoning Assistance with general questions about municipal law, including providing existing written opinions, regulations, statutes, cases, or articles Access to the city attorney listserve, where city attorneys can discuss legal issues with other municipal attorneys across the state City attorney continuing legal education opportunities News updates on OAG opinions, court rulings and reminders on important deadlines and requirements for city governments Training and seminars on a wide range of municipal law topics Additionally, cities are represented through KLC's legislative advocacy and legal advocacy programs, which represent the collective interests of KLC's member cities to the General Assembly and the Kentucky court system. For additional information about these services or the City Officials Legal Handbook, you may contact the KLC Municipal Law staff at 1-800-876-4552 or visit www.klc.org. We wish you well during your term in office or employment and look forward to assisting you in your role.

The Kentucky League of Cities serves as the united voice of cities by supporting community innovation, effective leadership and quality governance. KLC's Core Values serve as the cultural foundation of the organization. They embody the spirit and collective conscience of KLC and its employees. Our core values describe how we fulfill our mission by representing the enduring ideals and principles that guide all of our actions. We believe: Kentucky's cities play an essential role in shaping the future of the Commonwealth. Local decisions are best made at the local level. Our exceptional services and products help cities function effectively and enhance the quality of life within communities. Building and cultivating relationships with governments, organizations, and individuals furthers the mission of KLC. We embrace: Customer service based on attentive listening and measured by timely and appropriate responses. Credibility built on a commitment to high ethical standards, accountability, competence, and nonpartisanship. Teamwork and continuous learning that drives improvement and innovation. Caring and mutual respect that fosters a supportive working environment.