Kuhnhein v. Kenton County Public Library Board of Trustees

Filing 1

NOTICE OF REMOVAL from Kenton Circuit Court, Division No. 4, Case number 12-CI-178. ( Filing fee $350; receipt number 2257758), filed by Kenton County Public Library Board of Trustees. (Attachments: # 1 State Court Record including Class Action Complaint with Jury Demand, # 2 Civil Cover Sheet, # 3 Case Assignment)(TED) Modified text to describe state court record on 2/2/2012 (TED).

EXHIBIT I

Case No.

Doc. Code: Cl

AOC-105
Rev. 1-07
Page 1 of 1

Court

Commonwealth of Kentucky
Court of Justice www.courts.ky.gov
CR 4.02; CR Official Fbrm 1

County

~

-(~l" /7

~vCircuit

~

Q District

Kenton

CIVIL SUMIIIIONS

PLAINTIFF
Kuhnhein

Garth

3084 Prestwicke Drive

41017

Kentucky

Edgewood

VS.
DEFENDANT
Kenton County Public Library Board of Trustees

502 Scott Boulevard

41011

Kentucky

Covington

Service of Process Agent for Defendant:
Horner

Jim

President

502 Scott Boulevard
Kentucky

Covington

41011

THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY
TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANT(S):
You are hereby notified a legal action has been filed against you in this Court demanding relief as shown on
the document delivered to you with this Summons, Unless a written defense is made by you or by an attorney on
your behalf within 20 days following the day this paper is delivered to you, judgment by default may be taken against you
for the relief demanded in the attached Complaint.

The name(s) and address(es) of the party or parties demanding
delivered to you with this Summons.
e

Date:

I

—

X.D,2 0(IL

ey: II

relief against you are shown on the document

M..(~

Clerk

D.C.

Proof of Service
This Summons was served by delivering a true copy and the Complaint (or other initiating document) to:
this

day of

,2
Served by:
Title

t-A.

Case No.

Doc. Code: Cl

AOC-105
Rev. 1-07
Page 1 of 1

Court

Commonwealth of Kentucky
Court of Justice www.courts
CR 4.02; CR Official Fc rm 1

County

ky.gov

JZ

I~)

f7 4

Kenton

District

Circuit

CiviL SUMMQNs

PLAINTIFF
Kuhnhein

Garth

3084 Prestwicke Drive

41017

Kentucky

Edgewood

VS.
DEFENDANT
Kenton County Public Library Board of Trustees

502 Scott Boulevard

41011

Kentucky

Covington

Service of Process Agent for Defendant:
President

Horner

Jim

502 Scott Boulevard
Kentucky

Covington

41011

THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY
TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANT(S):
You are hereby notified a legal action has been filed against you in this Court demanding relief as shown on
the document delivered to you with this Summons. Unless a written defense is made by you or by an attorney on
your behalf within 20 days following the day this paper is delivered to you, judgment by default may be taken against you
for the relief demanded in the attached Complaint,
relief against you are shown on the document

The name(s) and address(es) of the party or parties demanding
delivered to you with this Summons.
Date:

l

&00,2 6

I

4-

M. ( Loxu3

By:

Clerk

D.C.

Proof of Service
This Summons was served by delivering a true copy and the Complaint (or other initiating document) to:
this

day of

,2
Served by:
Title

1

II i '.&

CI IK.'LJ IT COU RT
I)IVISION
I2-CICASE NO.
KE&NTON

("AB.'I'H KLJHNIII:IN, ON BElllAI F OF HIMSEI.Ir
ANI) O'I'HERS SIMILARII.,J&'ITUATEI)

I'I.AI NTIFFS

V.
KENTON COUNTY I*U BLIC I,,I BRAIIXY
IEOAHI) OF TRI,'STIR I:S
Serve: Jlim Horner/VrcsiJtIent
502 Scoitt Boulev'lrd
Covinf&',ton,

Kenitittcky

I)EFI&",NI)AN

If

4101!

Di','erlij'led Mail

CI.ASS ACTION COMPI,AINT 'WITH,IUR'V TRIAI, DEMANI) ANI)
DECI'.ARATION 0Ã MC I ITS

Come now the pl;iini.if I; Cfarth I&.uhnhcin„on behalf of hiliisclf and
siinil;irly situated. a»d

f'r his ('ass

Action Complaint filed herein states:

S"ll'A'I"EVI EN"I'P

TII I'. CASE

1. I'laintifTis a resident and property owner
of Kentucky

(.,omlnonwcalth

I,ibrary.

Inboard

lund

oth&."ls

in flic

bring this class action

of"I'rustces for thc unlawful

County

a~&&ainst

of benton,

the Kenton County public

property tax increases, which per V.entucky

Revised Statute». required 51% of thc number oj duly quafif Jcd voter's votliig

ll'1

the last

&&oner;il

election to submit a petition for air increase in the proper(y tax rate. Ihis action is

brou&&ht

both for

as foJ'niulictlvc
brought.

'1

refiind of'unlav, filly charged and collected ad valorem

1'clicf to plohlbit future unlawful

ls a f)cclaration

of Riglits

I'or

tax lncl'cases.

a determination

taxes., as v cll

I'lnally& this action is

that tlie specific provisions of I&'RS

Ch

&pter

173, pertaining fo libraries and the rcspcctive manner

tax rates are sct

in which

applies, not thc, general provisions f'ound in KI&'S Chapter 132. Speciftcally, for thc iax

year 2011. the Def'fondant Library charged a tax
&&1'real

of $ 1.13 pcr

estate, equaling $ 10,927„882,40.'1'hc Def'fondant

thousand

on $ 9,670„692,382,

l.ibrary should have only taxed

$ 0.60 pcr thousand on $ '),670 692„282of'real estate, equaling $ 5,802,4 5.43. Thc
1

Plaintif'1's and a]l other Kcnion County taxpayers

year 2f111 a!onc.

1

urc owed a rcf'und

of'$5,125,466.97 for

hesc amounts do not even include the amounts unlawfully

tangible tax, which would increase thc level of'ref'unds

charged for

owed.

VART11$ 8

2. 1'laintiff;
Kentucky.

(&arth Kuhnhcin,

Furthermore„Plaintiff

is resident and property owner in Kenton County

has paid property taxes to the Library, as set fi&rfh on

his yearly county tax bH1, Plaintiff s properly is located at 3084 Vrcstwickc Drive,
1

'.dgewood, Kentucky.

3. Defendant, Kcnton County Pubhc I.ibrary,

13oard of

1

rusfees (herelnaftcl

"f.ibrary") is a district duly organized under the laws of the Commonwealth

of Kentucky,

which was organized prior to July 13, 1984.

FACTS
4.

1

hc I'lainti

f1

and thc class he seeks to reprc»ent are re»ident» and property

ownel» who have paid Library taxes. which v cre increased in tile ycal»

5. '1'hc Library v,a» organized prior to .tuly 13, 1984. pursuant. to KRS C:hapier
1

73.
6. Pllrsuant to KRS 173.720 ihc Library was established on

having been formed by Pefiiion.

2

or. ab(&ut

July

6&,

1

)67,

7.

KRl&

1

73.79{)govern» thc incrcasc or decrease

thai the ad valorem tax rale "shall not be increased

petition requesting
is

(51%) ol thc

IlulTIber

Spcci flcally,

or decreased unless a duly certified

an incr«asc or dccre'lsc in ihe tax rate

by f tfty one

si&&ned

ill uly tax levv.

ol'a sj7cciflcaljy stated amount

of duly tllllllifted voters

votin&& in

the last

clcction...»

&&cncral

8. Atfacllcd as Exhibit r'0, ls
Coul t. acknowlcd&&in&& ih«r«quisile

ol'he

establishment

passed by tj7e Kcnio17 County 1'Iscaj

tl7e resolution

si&&natures on

petitions presented for the

libnluy and scttin&& an ad valorcrn tax rale as $ 0.06 pcr $ 100
ol'roperty

value.

1'his equates to,'&&0.60 pcr

$ 1,000 dollars of value, i.c. $ 60 ol iax on a

$ 100.000 1'lolne.

9.
1

13ascd on records obtained from the state Department

has set t?le following rates

1171&% Y

2011
2010
2009
2008
2007

pcl'f

.Of)0 dollar

i

of Revenue wcbsitc

the

of val lie.

$ 0.113
$ 0. 11 3
$ 0.104

$ 0.93
$ 0.820

10. Said rates are in well excess of'he authorize $ 0.60 per $ 1,000 resultino

in

many years with the rates heing v ell in «xccss of ihe pctiti(&ncd/ tgrccd upon rate as

subn1liicd to thc Kc»tlln County f is«al C.'ouri by th««lc«toratc.

thc Class ol'Taxpayers are owed a refund

As s«t h7rtll 'lbove,

of $ 5,125,466.97101 thc

Vl&lintijf

t111«l

2011, 'ls

v'ell as all other years. Also tan &iblc taxes paid in excess arc owed refunds.

11.

'1'hc j)cfendant Library has unilaterally

lav', v ith wanton/rccl~jcss

of Kcnion

ycal

chosen to not comply with appli«able

disl&c«aid (o the ri&&hts of Ihe?'laintij js and thc propel ty ov ncrs

C".Ounty.

I

12. 'I'he 1)ef'cndant I.ibrary has not complied w)th thc, provisions of K.RS 173.7')0
I'or said

incrcas«s.

13.

'I

hc 1)cf'cndant I.ibrary asserts that. thc commonly

ref'crrcd to I fouse Bi1144,

'luthorizcs thc library to increase taxes,

14,
Dill

1

louse Bi1144 docs not specifically

44 is coditlcd in

I(l&.'&

1&RS

173.790 is speci flc

speci flc statL)torily cl.el)ted mechanism

louse

plcscni. a conflict. '1nd apply

a,

&general

I

requiring a

epeatcdfy been asked to lnfcl'pret stat(ltes that

IL)le of statutory

statute.

and unambiguous&

for thc I)cfcndant Library to increase tax rates.

SLI f')I e)TIe CoUl'( has

controls over thc morc

I

Chapter 132.

15, More importantly,

16. Kent(lcl&y

acldress thc 1)cf'endanf. I,ibl"lry.

light

constrLlctlon that the morc speci flc st1ltute
v.

(,'i'f J,ouisvili(.,

248 S.XV,3d 55'), 563

(Ky.2008).
17.

I

his actlol') docs not lnv()lvc a conf11ct,

spec)1 lc statL1tc. KRS
Llnlaw1

UI

I

statulory

takl)

173.790.by

th)

l)efc)ldant

bL)t

I'athct

f,ff')I'aI v,

cl

co)'nplctc disrcg&aid

Said conllLlct alTlounts to

al'I

I~&&.

II. I'he 1)cf'cndant Library in incrc)sin&~ taxes„withoL)t following
I'r

of a

uincwork

spccil)c

for said increase, bfatanfly rcfuscd to comply v ith state law.
IL.."LASS AC"I'1[05 Alf.I..EQUATIONS

1(). 'I'hc I'Iaintiff'brin&~s
pursuant

ol'hc

to

I(LIIC

I'oliowink&

this action as a class action at&ainst the Ref'endanf

23 of the Kentucky Rules of Civil Procedure. Plaintil1's seek ccrtif)cation

class:

All property owners/or taxpayers, v ho have paid Kcnton County I,ibrary
faxes in excess of the lasl. I rwf'Ully set r,ltc set by certif)cd petition

20.

I

he class dcfrniilon cncompasscs

I.esidcnts/taxpayers

properly enacted,

11'I

excess of

I

cn

I

housand

(10,000}

who werc char&»cd, by 1)cfcndant l,ibrary, a tax increase never
'I'o Plainii!TS'now!edUc

thc number of rcsidcnts/taxpayers

is eL!u;II to 'Ill prop«I'ties and tan&&ible properLy within thc County

victin)i7ed

of'cnton.

21, l)espitc thc size of thc class, Ihc idcntitics of thc class mcmbcrs can be
asccrLaincd from ihe records and Illcs

(

oLII

of thc Kcn(on

(',ounty PVA/Kenton

County I'iscal

t. Plaintiffs and their «ounscl do not an'icipatc any difficulties in ihc manar&crnent

this action lls

22.

0! thc

1

&I

of

class action.

bc lntelcsts of ihc

I

lalntl

f1

al'c colncrdent will'I alld Ilot anta&»onlstlc to those

oihcl n1cnlbcr s of thc class.

23.

'I'he nanl«d Plaintiff is a naelTIbcr

assert and plotcct.

Lhc

of thc c);lss

and will fairly and adeL!uatcly

intcrcsts of'Lhe class. Plaintiffhas retained counsel with extcnsrvc

expcri«ncc in class action IitiL&ation.

24. Con1nlolI qllcstions of Iav&&
only'ndividual
tI

mcnlb«rs

of thc class.

arid fact pl cdon'Iinaic ovel arly Lluestlons afTecting

('Ommon Lfucstions include but. alc not. limited to

lc !'o I fo wi 11 g:

a.

I)id thc f,ibrary violated KRS 173.790",

b.

DId thc I.lbral v have lhc authorrty Lo I'alsc Lhc a&l valol'cnt I'atc
pursuant io KI&S (;hapter !32, or docs Lhc specific KI&S 173.790
apply'

c,

Should thc l.,ibrary be enjoined f'rom furLhcr violations'

d,

May the l.,ibrary increase the ad valorem rate without

cornpfyinb&,

with I&'.RS 173.790'?

c.

Is PIaintif'I'and Lhe class o! persons they seeks to rcprcscnt. «ntitlcd
to a rcf'Lrnd of «II property t'lxcs paid in excess of the rate

established by resolution $ 0.60 pcr thousand
what period Of tiITIc7

25. Dcl'endants have acted or rcl'usc to act on grounds
class, thereby
the class as

appropriate

making&

B v

osccLltion

relief

Hnd

il'so f'r

applicable to thc
vvith

respect to

hole.

26. A class action
pl

&&enerally

Bnd declaratory

fin'll injunctive

of'alue

is superior to other availablc methods

lor thc fair and efficient

of tllis action.

27. '1'hc cerii llcation of B class
lhc evpcnse of

litii&

woLIld BIlow litigation

ltioll, may bc insul'llcient.

in amount

I "IRST CAUSE OV

of claims that„ in view

Ol

to support separate actions.

ACTION

I)KCI.ABATOICY OUI)(HAMI&;NT A(,"AINS'I')EI&'I&:NI)ANTS (,'ONCEHNIN(! THE
ASS VSS MENT AilfI) (".OI,I,VCTION OI& AI) VALOBSM "I'AXES IN K&'XCKSS OV
THK BATlE ES VBI ISHKI) BY KRS 173.710-800

28.

'1'hc 1'laintiff incorporates

29. As sct
with

&'I

petition

allegations

in the C.'omplaint.

above, thc l,ibrary wasestablishcd

f'Orth

pursuant to KRS 173.720,

presented tu thc Kcnton County Fiscal C",ourt and B resolution

bein&&

adopted establishing

Bll

thc l,ibrary and

BLloptin&& B

tax I ate ol $ 0.60 pcr thous'lnd

dollars

Of

value.

3(). KRS 173.7')0 &&overns any increases or dccrcascs to said rate. Since adoption.
flic rHtc has inci'erlscll. without

31.

1

ollowlllg thc pctltlon rcqulrcme11ts set lol ih by lllw.

'1'he actions Of'thc lief'cndant

valorcnl tax In excess

Of

Library in assessing and collecting an 'ld

$ 0.60 pel." $ 1.000 ol value

In vlolHtlon

of KR.S 173.790.

SKCONI) CAUSE OV AC"I" ION
CON% KRSION A.( AINS I I ffIff&. I)KVKNI)ANTS

32.

1

hc Pill.ln'tl

1 f

lllcorporatcs

Bl 1 Bl legBf,lons in

6

thc ( onlplalilt.

33.

I

hc I'IaintifTand

faxes in excess
threatened

of the class werc assessed

all members

of the approved rate,

of non-payment,

ln ihc cvcnt

and I'orccd to pa~

Plaintiff was

I'ccs to the ('ouniy Attorney, Sheriff

with interest at the rate ol 12%, numerous

and Clelk and fOrccIosulc.

34. The I)efcndant Library lacked thc authority to issue a bi)1
did so under thc af'oremcntioncd

approved rate, but. nonetheless

35.

'I hc Dctcndtuat

in excess ol thc

threats of collection,

Library converted I'Iaintiff and all Othct i«xpayers

Urtdcr the guise of ]am ful property

lllollics

t &x. Defi.'ndant Library has exercised and continues to

exercise dominion and control over I'Iaintiff and all other taxpayers"'oney.

36. Defendants actions constitute common

lav conversion.

37, As a direct and proximate cause of'thc 12el'endants'onversion,

thc
Plaintiff'nd

«ll members

of th«class

funds billed unlawfully

have bccn injured. 'I'hc injuries include loss

of personal

by thc Dcl'cndants,
TIIII I RO

ILihII,A WVILLII,

&t."A ILJSf&.'V

A&.'Tff()N

TAKIIW('" V f".R 42 U.S.C. SV&,C Il'IION 1983

3N. '1hc VI«i»tiff incorporates

all allegations

39. Delendani» acted under color ol law
by the Plaintiffs for taxes not authorized

in the Complaint.

in issuing fax bills and forcing payment.

by lav'.

4{}. 'I'he I'lainiif'I and oiher members of'the class under the 5" and 14"
Amendments

to the I) nitcd St ties Constitution

are protected I'rom unlawful

iaki»gs by the

government.

41.

Dcf'e»dani I,ibrary acted under color of'aw, in issuing tax bills and I'orcing

payntcnt. under threat for non-paymcnt,
I

to unlawfully

i«i»tiff and other membcts of ihc class.

7

take property belonging& to fhc

42. 1)efcncfants actions

cclnlpfall'Ied

of herein violated fhc

of thc t, nif«d States Consfitution, as
enfifling Plaintiff and other melnbcrs
Lo

of the class

vvcll

14

as 42 U,S,(.". Section

to attorneys''ecs

1983„

'mcndmcnts

and costs, in acldiLion

of llcrclrl.

the darnclgcs colllplalncd

FOIL! ICTUS CAUS!I,

Ol ACT!f(35

UNJIUS II'f'.NMCEIIMIf;NT/IXI(&l1T

43. Thc Plaintif'f'incorporates
44.

5" and

To RIKVUNDS

all allc&lations in thc Complaint.

'I'he I'lainti I'I'ancl thc ITIenlbcl s

of tl'lc C!ass have

paid taxes io thc Dcfcndant

I.ibr;Lry. weII in cxc«ss of those cllfowecf by law.
A5. 1'he Defendant

l..ibraly has been llnjustly enriched by said excess tax

co lect.Ion.
I

46.
ln

'1'llc P!ainlif 1;ulcf thc Class of 'I axpaycrs arc owed a refund

for all t;lxcs paicl

excess of thc statutorily authorI/ccl amount plovlcled fol nl KRS 173.7)0.
O'EJECTEE"'OAF„ I'Iainti

f'f,

on his bchall'and

on bcf&af f'of'all others sirnil;11 ly

situated, demand judgme»L agaillst thc 1?Cf'c:ncfant f,ibrary ancl specifically

I.

Mandatory

rccfucst:

injunctive rclicf requiring Dcfcndants issue rci'unds fol. tax«s

bil1ed and collected in excess

of thc statutoriIy approved rate

ol $ 0.60 per

ihousrlncl',

2.

Mand'ltory

injunctive l«lief prcvenfing

increasing its

Lax

Lfle

l)cf'endant

rate urlless thc provisions of KRS

f,ibrary frclm

173.790 arc comp]icd

with„

3..!udgment

clamagcs. in thc forirt of rcf'und»„

and award of'compensatory

wl fh Intel csl., against thc f)cfc11cfant

by Lhe finder

fl

1

Ibrary m

'll'I

allloullt

Lo

bc cfctcr11»ncd

4.

lot'l dcc]a) atory

}Llclgnlcnt t]tat

KRS ]73,7)0 govctns thc tax late and

ability 1o increase and/or dccrcas«»aid rate:

5.

Pr&

judgment

intcrcst. court costs and attorney» f'ecs. pcr 42 U,S.('.. Section

}983:
6.
7.

'1

hat thc (..'ourt ccrtif'y this action to proceed as a C]ass Action;

All other re]i(.'f'to

&which

thc P]aintif'fs and members

of thc class

are

properly entitled to receive al }avv or in equiTy.

Re»pcctfull

submitted,

Brandon N. Voclker
'1'hc Vociker Firm,

PLLC

4 1 3S A}exandria )ke,.Su)tc } 09
(:.",o}d Spring, Kentucky 41076
(859) 7S 1-91 00
hnvoc]ker ((',msn.corn
1

,I }f.}RV

}f)]f&'.M AND

i)}ov'ome I'laintif'is, hy and tlrrou&lh their attorney», tu)d d«mand a
on a}1 cause» 0 f act I() r).

]3)al')d()n t(}. Voc]kcr

ial by jury

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Covin&&„ton, Kent,ucf(y

J„s{'o OUI'f, Ep't i G "e(iu1 a& sess xon ).n oiv
]
Ju] v 6 1 96 I z 8!Lh CQUT&tv judge pa(MS A .
Co&3&&1&1 ssI onors
Robel f A Idea)eyieri
Di e ss&i1an Ji
CiouTI t
Pxesxd
Ciiarles 6'IomLG, and {'carpe,'."t 'n-ord,, County At torney 3of&n:'.lfers&
and Counf:y Engineer John D. F.'eldjng bein), present.

The

on COUI.&ty ii
ii!~(itoA„KPT&Lucky on
beni

1,

(

&

I G~&

Thc Ciovlf

opened

&i&as

&i

'vi.&,t

lie

~&o

»l

.

aiade by „vir, Stein&.(»:d, second('d by jjr. Aldeo&eyerp to accept
Lnufies 0 '
he p Pv
lllee t 1&'Ig 3»1th (Idd 1 t Lo&3 s a&id correct on s

"IL&f'.i.,o I
1

by,"'jT'UITEUL

a prayer

h

'us

t x OG c ia x''(i d.

&

f'.

Priii ing, St. Re„is Pape
Bids were sr&bm tted frx&m 'Z.
Tne 1 red PT'Voter Co„and F.."3. Klenk @ Associates xor tx&x
Q&&vP

lopes,

'G a'(!e

1'jor
Ge

Cc„
bill

u

&.

(1s

f)v

3„(&

C

"jx'u .&II'i'ec ondcd

fov,'&r. Al del&)eyer
to
i ' Of: t ice, „allot i,l&(3 Ca I Vie d,
~

e'i';

1;e Keil ton (.'O&)niy:=.her .f

COVGty C le) k S Oi X X('e
Of fice and "-upply Cu&upany
f.or the 1&LT»j&LI&g
and Tlie ~lovaro ~qhaiv& CODIthe GL&pplyin,» ox f)ooks QTIu binders -"or I ccords.
p(!uy
.'~ot ou reads by ';fr, Aide&&=ycr, se:oGL1ed by Nr. Su&TI&oc, to ac epf.
thesira filds upoii xe(.o&ITOQGd(itlon of'l&e County
]e 'k's Of fico.
„'.",Ot' n - &rr &,ed.

!.('.f" to i r()COL'VQ(f aiid f ). Led
fij)e 'x (lcccptance

'r

K(3!)toi) Coui! y

) iie

Jnspectox ';; Report

.by
I'epo""f" s

%ax&e

ti!e lienton

r&"O&13

o!'='tend((rd
'
of'he !967 tax bxlls,

re~iardin,i,

&'jL
„

P

.

1

i

'tl c 1

RQPA&

tsi

s»bmitt.ed
seccnde d

was

) XP (Grol. d»
iot LQ1& ciirr iev

and the Kelif on Co i'G't 7 Hui ] (I L&3~&
I&jot-;on
t.o f.iie F'isc((1 Court.

bjr,

hy

SUMQ&e

i

to a. cep L those

re so&L&t &oi) assesslpg

and 1evvi&3+~ i3 (&Ae-poilnt seven cent
a J.l. T'QB1 'a(id perso3$ a px'oper ty 113 Cai&&pbe] 1
and Kciiton Count.les vpo(3 eaci) one hundred dollars valvat ion
as 0: Janus&ry 1, &31267»&as sub!&Iitfjed a&id f) led,
A

(1

tax

7C3»

OG

L

Th&".;.P: s()'fur fons
t

the

'»e

I'unt j (utnor
Coiinfiy OQPios! tuir

Col"!Iuiii) v t1'&e su&ns

re subm'„" 3 ed to
i

'.

sc( 1 Court of

1

'ie

„

3

&

uox

tile Hea 3 th

I 1 cy

] Iio,vsaii(1

1]x&l

'y

Thousa(id

Do'ars ('.&50„000.00) for 3'e

."-')

(

i

()&I

f

LQ&&1

'(Ink:IT&d Trust

()».

xne Th()v sano Do i ] 31T's ((.) ) 000 00) to
i

tie

'ion&it j,&
z,'&h
t1!Q ." ...-S Nd& I OIiai

1i&

I.,"i

&

$ '&11& OV „OQ) rox'
&

1&e

1 u»'

Ccncra1
Road

a&)d

7'L1I3c1

Bride.,() 1"L»)d.

11
p&ly (i]a) T&IG,'z"Q just i a).d fU(ids of tl'&e COUT'&ty O.l
ton, Hei&tuckv. H(;t OH !Sado by fjr, gu&OIII(3 Secouded bv !"!r.
Aldemeypr
to adopt, a" (sept n&&d af)prove '&ese re. Olut1 ons.
1i&ot.l oi& c&i '- r I e Q.

where~).t

&.I(,&

Ken

&

resolution Iv&"'vbmirt ed t'o tjqe Kenton fjount:y
( (&Ul f" F&nd f.he KPnton Boone '~Board ok Ke(IlatoL s
(Ippeared oefore t1&e j."i.sc.&L] Court vo 'c LGL~ hei oppos,ition
t(& f'his &.Bso I'ilr! on.

T1)e .follov3)3),

1'sca 1

&

&

suDII!lc, secondcd by Hr. Stejnfox.d, to
and BpprQVC this tea»Glut 100, Upon 1.013 Call»
I?yc: Nr„SUTT3?TTB, Yr, Steinthe following vote was recorded:
f ox d, Mr. Aldcmeycr, and Judge Dressman, Nay: None.
fj!ot l.G 0 c Br x'. B',

MGLion
G

dopt

made

BCCCpt

»

bv

Y~x.

»

was sub?Tlitted to the&'fj,'3,seal CQUK't frog? J, C, E7K1 Br'kaa?P
s 4 CG3!?pany» geBBK B 1 Contr»1c tol."s, I or the cons'f'ue t 100 QK
Mot 1GT1 TT!Gde
GK Bn addi t3 GT» f'0 the Kenf-Gn CQUDLy ijarage .
I'il'Stie 1 0 f ox'd, sec (7?1 ded fly Hr ij i de?31cye r» to~',(TccePt and
i iy
approve th j s bid. Hot i Qn carxicd.
A

bid

. jon

8'eal

t

The !«ento!3 Cou(3! y I»ibrary PBL1 ti 0!3 WBS SubTllitted I 0 1B
Cou!. t ilons i Sting Of. t 6» b! 3 Signit?!res» duly BL tBSLCd by Lhe
County f.'iex'k Bs being Toore tha?1 51/ of tl.e number. of: duly

rcg't%'x'cd voterS
8, 196!7.

who

voted 10 thc last general

ThP tollow10g
cl.coompBAv3 Bg Lhe S1B«l l,tul.Ps'

Novel?lber

E q
wja

8 Tllovc

by CGTGI?Tissioncr
ado!7 'C(';

0 b jy

0 I,

CQTTT«T?1.

T

IT

s s 1QIl8

resolution
f

0

election

(»f

was sub!3?ltted

N

X'l dcmeyc r»

Steinfor'd thBL the following

sec 031 de o
Resolution be

GB d

"BE IT RESOLVED that. B. du1y certj fied Petitioll containillg
8 f LV-Qnc („31»n) DB K'ent 0 f f. »»6 nul!lb«'1 0 K dU iy
Qjua j ' ed VGKCK'S Tjjho Votod "?1 the iaat Cen(.ral E1CCtion 0'0
jlave?3bcr 8, 1G~66, naving 'been
iled petitioned the I iscal
„GU1 O'ali GD Cclun'» Kentucky to Bs'ta!71is!3 G Pub ll c
t
'!3x'Gry !» Xs Lr Xct tor Kc(»»toll C?3ul3tyj» Kentucky» BD(l»
I" Bpoca r3 Dg f(I lab the prQvl 8!On ()f. chic act c at I Dg f„i')
«3!1

e

I" i"..a",!

~

'I

districts

173-710 ct scq,, provides
t!1C iscal Court Qf he. County sahll adopt G x'esolution
o. dcl ing I'Ile levy Gf B tax BS required in the petitions
filed jn the suKI of six cents Qi! Bach one hundred dollars
«cnorth of property
assessed for ..Gcal ta3".Gtjo?1, Gnd,
Gppcax'1 ng that sH 3 d Bet Xt 3GTT K 3 led w t!1 tbic Frscal
,.Qurt (jjas so flied ?j»1th30 less t!1BB 010K ty I 9') (lays GKKPr
puolic

cliP.,

iora.-y

1

date Qf the

!
j(j i'-i'j
L

f 1x'

L

being

KRS

8 'naturc

0'"

BpPGBrrng
kej»1scu i&tat'

XUK'f;I'!O'"

011

suc!I pBL 1x.l Qn» and

t!Iaf'his X'equire?ants

QK

Chap?:Br 1./3

11 cojjp 'ed jw'!»
NO'jd,, «ZRZEORE» I
DIRECTED that
ljenton County Pub J. i C LX j3ra ry DI 8L1.C t b8 andi. the SBTTCC 3.S ITBl.eby
established Bnd that G. "*Cvy of a tax for, said Kcnton County
I»1 I3rary D3.str1ct 10 the Bull! Gz s3 7( cents ( TQ!7) !3(". Bnd the
saloe is hcx'cby made Gn BBC!. One. I!ulldK'ed Dollars worth Qf
property assessed for taxation within Kenton County, Kentucky
f Qr the purpose GK establishing, construct jng, equ ipp ing,
Bd?I?KTT l sjLP r3 ng Gr c(3?!tract'ng
10 t1GTT
fGx'i!eh 13br!3rv
serv ice for the Kenton County Public ..ibl.ary Dist "ict Bmbx'acing
I;3;!C en't Kre County ian«! B. Cex't?'.ed. copy of th.! s Order Shall
be I i led with the Coullty Clerk of Kenton Count.y, Kentucky»
v7ithin thirty (30) days fnom t!!B date hereof who will Gidd
f:.he 'levy to the I;el(t annual taa bill or. bil!.s of. Kenton
«7-.

jKy

~

TTTG

Col:nty,

'S

.-.-

Qjj& i.iig Ilej.n 7 j!
ik".Rjfl»?Y ORDE'HZD»j&39

3»

'g

Kant ucky.

"

It is further. Ordered Gnd d1rected that the Coul!ty
Clerk 10 behalt Gf Lhc Kenton I 18cal Coux'I." Ill BccGK'dance
w't1i I&!IS 173,.725 shall at once notify the Kentucky Department
0 L !,3hrarics QK tlA» e SLBbl3 shBient Gf sa3 d Library Disi i c't
by I:Or?j»BX'd10g G CC! L 1 ieu Copy Gl. Lh'
reso iuclon LO "B1d
&.

!3B!7axtlaent

P i, Tl'I'." &)L&j

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COMMON%EALTH OF KENTUCKY
ANTON CIRCUIT COURT
FOURTH DIVISION
CASK NO. 12-CI-178
1

GARTH KUHMIKIN, ON BEHALF OF HIMSELF
AND OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED

PL AINTII&'I&"S

V.
KKNTON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES

DEFENDANT

PLAINTIFFS'OTION

I&'OR AN ORDER TO REQUIRING THE KKNTON COUNTY
LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES TO ESCROW ALL TAX PAYMXNTS RE&CEIVKD
IN EXCESS OF $ 0.60 PER THOUSAND OF ASSESSED VALUE

Comes now the Plaintiffs, by and through counsel, and moves this Court for an Order
requiring the Defendant Library to escrow all taxes collected in excess

of $ 0,60 per

thousand

of

value. In support, an Affidavit, Verifying the allegations of the Complaint filed herein is
incorporated by reference herein. The issue is straightforward,

KRS 173.790 requires a petition

to increase and/or decrease the Defendant's tax rate. Nonetheless, the Defendant has refused to
follow the apphcable law, The Plaintiffs are able to show a likelihood of success on the merits
and will suffer irreparable

harm in that tax money unlavmilly

collected will be paid out with the

possibility it is unable to be returned, especially since the Defendant Library" s own budget shows
expenditures

in well excess

of the taxes

authorized

by KRS

173.790,

In further. support, attached is a recent news aiticle, outlining statements

fiom both the

Ikenton and Campbell Library Executive Directors advising that the suit is without merit

(Shroeder, Kenton) and

baffled" by the suit (Morgan, Campbell),

Chair stated that the "suits are without merit" and

"We'e

Specifically, the Kenton

following the law and have been for

many years." Dave Shroeder, Kenton Executive Director, JC Morgan, Campbell Executive

Director stated, that the Campbell Board is in "full compliance with the sprit, intent and letter" of
the KRS statutes governing Campbell County Public Library Operations.

The news story illustrates the need

for. immediate

action by this Court. The Executive

Directors of each Board refuse to acknowledge the existence of a statute directly on point.
Furthermore,

poor Attorney General Opinions, issued by then. Attorney General and current

governor, Steve Beshear advised that KRS 173,790 "governs the method
rate change." OAG

of dissolution

and tax

8J-527.

Ironically, and still in further support of the respective Executive Director's

of law, Kenton Director Schroeder advised in a press release

misunderstanding

that House Bill

44 enacted in 1979, allows the increases in conflict with KRS 173.790. Executive Director
Sclwoeder's press statement references a statute already in existence when then Attorney General

Steve Beshear's

once

authored the aforementioned

statute,

Attorney General Beshear advised in other opiiwons the application

of KRS 173.790. A

district created by petition "can only procure a change in tax rate by the petition method (KRS

173.790);thus, the method of creation of a library district governs the method of dissolution

and

tax 'iate change; su h methods inust be the san~e," OAG 80=~70. Kentucky Governor S'.eve-

Beshear has already issued opinions on the matter, which are as straightforward

of KRS 173,790. The

as the plain text

IZenton and Campbell Executive Director's seek to vilif'y and claim public

harm for the respective blatant refusal to comply with black letter law and prior Attorney

General Opinions.
Subsequent Attorney General, David Armstrong,

in

1984 also advised consistent with

AG Beshear's office. While not addressing the specific point, because of its obvious clear
language, AG Armstrong

rendered an opinion as to how signatures should be examined in

2

connection with "petitions being circul.ated requesting raising the tax rate to a specific figure."
Obviously,
such.,

if a petition

was not needed, the Attorney General's office would have advised as

OA6 84-141. Copies of the News Aiticle and respective Attorney General's Opinions are

attached hereto and incorporated

by reference herein..

Finally, KRS 173.790 is also attached in its entirety,

Plaintiffs'ill not labor

the clear

language, but would ask the Court to examine the reference to Board's created "before July 13,

1984." The Kenton

County Library was created in 1967 and any reliance on a 1979 House Bill

44 is clearly misplaced, since the legislature clearly took action to set a date of July 13, 1984.
While the respective Executive Directors desire to vilify Plaintiff and Counsel, they have
either. not sought or presumably

disregarded

legal and/or bond counsel opinions in connection

with their respective revenue source. The Plaintiff has brought a claim that is not asking for an

extension of law, but rather just the application of existing, as set foith by the clear intent of the
legislature, in utilizing a specific date and prior Attorney General Opinions.

likelihood

of success

and the failure

of this Court to act immediately,

Library Executive Director to continue to spend monies unlawfully
-clear. law'and
aiad

Plaintiff can show a

will allow the Kenton

obtained and in violation of

AG opln"os, with tlio'Plaintiff "nd-the taxpayers-o".'K- ntoil Coul~tj-forced t6 ti

j

recover monies already spent. The irreparable harm is clear and absent an order irom this

Court, said monies belonging to the Plaintiffs and Kenton Coamty Taxpayers, will be spent and

impossible to recover,

3

Wherefore, Plaintiff would ask that this Motion be granted.

Respectfully Submitted,

Brandon N. Voelker
The Voelker Firm, PLLC
4135 Alexandria Pike, Suite 109
Cold Spring, Kentucky 41076

{859)781-9100

b~k
NOTICE

The foregoing Motion shall come for a hearing before the Kenton Circuit Conic on the
27'" day of February 2012 at9:00 am or as soon thereafter as Counsel may be heard.

CERTIFICATION
I hereby certify that true accurate copy of the foregoing has been sent by
postage prepaid to the following:
Jim Horner/President
502 Scott Boulevard
Covington, Kentucky

41011

Mary Ann Stewart
40 West Pike Street

P.O. Box 861
Covington, Kentucky

41012-861

On this 27th day of January 2012.

Brandon N. Voelker

4

f&rst

class mail,

Al FIDAVIT
Comes now the Affiant, Gaith Kuhnehin, and after being duly sworn states as
follows:

1, The Affiant is a resident and property owner in Kenton County and has paid ad
valorem tax to the Kenton County Public Library.

2, That the Affiant has reviewed the allegations and attachments to the Complaint
liled on liis behalf in the Kenton Circuit Couit, Case No, 12-CI-178 and the said
allegations and attachments

are true to the best

of his knowledge

3. That the Affiant has reviewed the allegations

and belief.

aild attachments

of the Motion to

Escrow being filed on his behalf in the Kenton Circuit Court, Case No. 12-CI-178 and the
allegations and attachments

are true to the best

of his knowledge and belief.

Further Affiant Sayeth Naught,

Gaith Kulinhein

COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY
COUNTY OF BENTON
Subset;ribed and Svvorn to before in='

on this

]
] Sct,
Notary

Publi,

by Garth Kuhnheir';-

27" day of January 2012,
Notary Public
State at Large

My Comirnssion Expires: October 8, 2015

1

~

452469

No{'Ihc{'fJ Ke{1tt{elcy's libraries target,

ot

la%/s4{{ts Co{T{{1&L)»ityV{'ess.corn ) ci{3cinn'tii.co{11
~

Vc1ge I QI'."n

t...Ilt)„I{I Il&54~TI,:;;,
r

target
II

Of

GWS 0 IIts

According to a statement reieased t~y
Kenton County, the library is complying with
the raw ender the pi'ovision." of House Bitt
44 enacted in 1979 by the Kentucky
General AssemI3Iy to govern special taxi{ ig
d Jstr{cTs like lil3I ai'les.

wi,":;e)t hy
c{))'i", Mayhevr

llbrari

s to

l'18

tl

4',

but CI3aptei'73 of the Kentucky
Revised Sla'tu) es tl"lat govei'1'1 lll3{'al y tax

list.

'{/oelker saicl the library districts overspend
c l1,hings like salanes for unnecessary

class ac{{on suit against the K
Friday, Jan.
l(enton Circuit Court seeking to

Qelt~er filed a

enton

20,

in

total

accot ding to {he statel1lent.

Class action lawsuits have been filed
ac"in~t the { bli library - st ms Qfb

aGd BQGne CQL'") y

ol'7

libraries across Kentucky use
the tax methods outlinied in HH 44,
/'t

CQLlf'lty PLII3lic Liberal y

g/a}{date pieviou

*'Our legislature,

libra p/ prQpeigy tag r+te

no orie is solving the

Voelker; aid. el he laws were wntten to be

not propeily followed Kentucky law
governing library districts in the past vvhen
teredc'."at{ ig pi epel ty 'toX r '{CSr .- =- 'r

,

thestate s not

t(3llowed ar1d

against the Gal{1 bell Count Public Librar
'I.he suits allege the library'.«" boart~s have

llolding th8111

n

-

AUSe,'„:~„a)crt

Kei-ito[l County Public Library Executive
Director Dave Schroeder said the suits are
without any merit.
"'/'t/8're

following the law and have been for

many years," Schroeder said.

Schloeder said he thinks lt is irnportal)l for
people to know if the lawsuits were to
pievail it would have a "huoe impact" on
library services to the point where it could
,"hut dove)n both systems.
Print PoyyereU By,'-'.:-'.4'.

hite://eommL{nityp)

en~.«incin» {{i.eL)m!-tpps/placs.dlUartic]c')

A I I3

"/C2!20 1 20120/NLWS/)

0...

I

/2-'I/20& 2

Northern

Kentucky's

et

at

@

',-Ikt„ II'J'&I~ttraon":.

I'at,c 2 oi'3

cincinnati,cuni

Iihrarics tarLtet oi fav,suiLs! CommunityPrcss.con1!

&,'.::.,;;-;;

Gokrnt',.',.:-,ocr, a

ti",, trrreea

ot',tan.

vvas jAiiially raskecl to look il lto ihe
Df the pLiblic libl a!y systems on
f&chaff or the the members of tne f~)oriheri1
~~entucf(y Tea Pai tt/, he said.

the ia't cj nerat election
granting permi. sion Io increase the
pi opel tjj i.ax i'ate,
trOtr=r.". triorn

I

iegaiiiies

lf both the Kcnton ancl Campbell counties
suits vvero ei1tilefy sLiccessful for the
piaintiffsr tfte damages recoverable for a
refund to residents vviff be in exces'f $ 30

t11illioil, Voelf(el

The Kef1ion

he suits is requesting a "refund of
urilavvfully charged and collected ad
valoi'en1 taxes, alicl fol a court fnILlnction
to prohibit future any future aunfavvftil tax
increases. f i le suit seeks to lnvafldate all
Iibraiy property tax increases beyond the
amouAt of 30 cei its per 'It3,000 ol
assessed propeity va/ue authorized by a
petition approved by voters in the 1978.
i

said.

suit vlas filed iil Kefitol'i
Circuit Court bty Garth Kuhnheir1t, of
Edge&tvoo(.f, who, 'resicie'ii of the
Wurtheri1 Kentucky Tea Painty
COL1Aty

According to the suii;, Campbell County
propei'iy taxpayers ale ovved a refund of
about f 2.218 miffion "for the year 20'IO

alone."

JLi't for fhe ye=tr 2011, the Kenton County
suit a ks for $ 5,125 naifiion ii1 damages as
part of a largei refund being sought,
Voeiker said.
The class action lavvsuit filed against the
Campbell County Public Library seeking to
tnvalidate and rol'ack the library'";, tax
ale laack Lo E 9/8 Ievefs.

I

The suit alieges the Iitbrary's tax rate of 72
cents per $ 'f,000 of assessed property
value is illegal, and that the library should
only have taxed properfy owners at thte
i a'te of 30 cel I'ts pel
S 1,000 Gf assessed
pfoperty vaiLIB.
Campbell County's library Board of

I

9oelker

filed a class action lavvsuit in
Campbell CirCuit COUI t Thursday, Jaln
against the f)bl ary On beha1lf Of Crhal'Iie

I

gr

Coleman of Alexandria, and Cold Spiing
area residents John P. Roih Jr, arid Erik
Hei n1BS

!

the suit alleges the library s Board of
Trustees has failed folfovv Kentucky fate

!

pertaining to flbialy dis'incts by ilot
obtaining petitions from ~t1 petcel lt of ihc

'iot

O'.tp:/,'cotnnaunityptess.cincinnrtti.c(iin

'app.'/pbcs.clif

P('IVvt".'t'(

Ct

tay:rrf8

articleYA1Boo/C'2/20120

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t20/NI',5~8/"

0...

I/23/2012

I'lorfhcrA

t

Vicntucl~y's

fi)sr@ries target of lawsuits

[

('oninsun!tyi'ress.corn

1

c!I1clnll'1tl.co!11

t'(l&'c .I ot

3

„,,

„'I@&(„"
ll&II@I,I!j;:"I,,.,

Trustees issued a state!y!ent exore'sing
they were "deeply c)isappointed that this
suit had been filed."
"The potenti!al imp«cl could mean the
drast!c loss of librar, sorvices in this
county, co!Itinupd the libl 8!y boarcl s
statement. "VVe are appalled lhat anyone
could fail to understand the devastating
ramifications of that lo. s on the people who
;lepencl on the Library each and every day.
The 'brary has acted fegally ar!d in the
best interest of all taxpayers who entrust
us vv!th the!i tax dollal"".
County library director,.IC
Morgan, ended tl!e library's statement
reiterat!ng the libra! y is ir! "full compliance
w!th the sp!!.!t,!nte!!I:and let!er'f the KRS
statutes governing (;an!pbeII County Public
Libra!'y operations.
'an'!pbelf

"I-lonestly,

fact-

I

am bafflecl that, knowing the
ancl knowing tI!e integrity of the
I

ibrary and its Board of Trustees in
providing need=d services to our
connrnun!ties, a Iavvsuii. has been filed that
coulcl unravel ancl unc3errr!Ine the work that
I

I!elps so many

,g'Jr:r!ts

I!e sa!d.

@mani

I

/

I

&n

p:,'/con! ) nuiiiiy press.cincinnati.corn!';! pps/phcs, did'or! ic I c'? A H ):-'/C2/20120120/N t.".'A/S/30...

f /23/2012

')

I

&

&

...&&,

c&&&&&,

{&80-1{)81Kv. ()p, Ally. Geii. 2-7') 8, Ky,

OAG&

81-287, I ')8 I,'/&&L !"I2068

Page

I

(K,y. A.G.)

I

')80-198 Ky. Op. Atty. Gen. 2-7)8, Ky. OACi 8 I-257. 198( WL 142068 (ky.A.G.)
I

~1 Office of thc Aliorncy Genera(
Col)1&110&&weaf(]1 of K{',n(ucky
OAC&

81-287

)ufy 2, I')81
fvfr.
I

()

Arnotd, (If
L'ounfy Attorney

N{&ns Vv'.

f I &&i'1'ison

I,as( Pil{e S(ree(

(, yll!I'&ii&!&&1,

De;&r Mi'.

Kcil(ucky 4 I 031

Arnofd:

'I'liaiik you Ior your l«(ter of'.)unc
{(is(vie( l{&rn&c{l hy [)c(iti()n (f~.!i5

'). 108 l i» which
73.720).

y{&u

ask seve&zl questions regarding thc library (ax wi(hin a library

I

Your lc((cr lirs( asks if'he L&lx I"ltc et&i& be sils}'){'n{IU{I ov ill))cl)&I&"{I by the fiscal cou&1 and/or coun(y libra&y boavd
wi(l&{&ui a p{:(i(ion. IL is (lie opiiiion nf this {&I'I"icc that i&n{lcv Iil'4{'"'3. 7')0+1 a l&bra(p tax rate establishe{l by the
pe(it&on method n&ay hc decreased only by (I&c petition &T&cthod, As sai{l in OA(I 67-263, a library {Iistvict ciicaLed under
I':i~~ (73.720 (f)ctition inc(ho{}) can only he {Iissolvcd hy peti(ion method (KI('S l73.800) and such dist&'Ict can ovily
pl'oc(&ve
cf&'ii&gc in thc library (ax ate by Lf&c pe(i(ion inethod (i(RS 173, 7~90'; thus, ihc n&e(hod of cr'en(ion of a fibrary
distric( (whet(&cr pc(i(ion or vote) goven&s th{; i»e(liod ofdissofution;u){f tax rate ch:&n{&e; such n&ethods must bc the
s'iil&e. It is I el( (h'&1 i)util&I)g& s&&&{I in (3A4 80-,570 wouf{l lead to con(vary result..
&&

&

&1

Yoii next ask if I'here would h{.'li'lv hl{livlilui&l ti»hi(Ivy to n&cni()c&s {!Iih{; (&seal co&i&I ivhel) 'thcv {fo llo( {I«ciifc lli wliat
iiiani'&ci'hc IC&nds 'Lvc ckpciid«{l. Uiider 1'Rq I 7~.7')0( L) 'iil( libra&y ti&xcs'a&c Lo b« iuined {&v;r Icv(he lib&ary board ol
(hc lib&&&1'y distric(, I hc libravy boavd and its Ivcasurer. and not the mcinbcrs of (hc fis{:al cour(, are respor&sible I'or ff&e
expci&ciiture of'f'unds ii& accordance with f&li ) 17 I 7(5 and f 7175).'I'heref'ovi. (herc wouLd be no liability t'ov members
of'hc I&scat cour( lov in)ncxpcndihire of library Inn{is,

Yoiir fin;&I question asks whether another distric( can bc cstabfishcd piiov (o tl&c diss(&lution by p{:titinn of tl&c pr{ sent
co(i»fy wide dist&ict. Ii is thc opinioii ot'his of'fice that thc cstahlishmci&t {&fa second libr&uy distvic( witl&in a co»ray,
while another library districl is s(ill in existencc„would he contrary Lo (hc provision» of f&'.I(( (7,(&7(5. l&fsS I 7:I&/ I 5
spei&ks in tcl ills of A{I(lioi'iz'&I loi& 0) orgimizc &ill of (ho(et'1'itol y In (i co{i&&(y il&t{) il library dist vie(. ai&d n)akes no provisions tov tfiere beiiig iiioie than onc fibrarv dis(vic( in ihc san)c county, As the (larrison County Librvi&y f')Istrict is
ali cady in existence, another library dis(rict in Harrison G&)only woul{! nof. be authorixcil unlif the discsiablishmcnt of
thc I-Ial I'ison (.'.Ounty l.ibvai'y District in ac{.{&rd&u&cc with Is'.f(..') l 7 &,L(00.
lt is hoped thaL Ihis fetter has adequately;Lnswci

cd your questions. I(

no(&

please leel f'rcc to ask!Oi''u&the&'xpfanation.

Mincer«ly,

Steven L.

Lfcsf&ca&

(0) 20 f =

Tllonlson

Rt'L&(evs.

No Cia&il) I{) ()vl&'. US Ciov. Worf{s.

1980-1 q81 Kv, Op, Ally. (icn. 2-798.

1&y,

QA(i 81-257, 1981 WI, I'12(I(38

(I~y.A.(i.)

I

AIIOrncy (icncrnl

I

I

olin

I

I. (irny

Al&'i1!it(ln( A((01'ncy

l&&8()-(981 I(.v.

( )cncrnl

()p. Ally. Ucn. 2-798. I(v. (1A(I 81-2'i7,

l&&81 Vv'I,

I'12()68 (ky.A.(3.)

I'.NI') Ol

DO&'UjVlI:N'I'&

2012'I'In)(nsnn
t

I&cnlcrs, Nv ('.Innn (n Ori

. LIS Ciov, Wnrl;s.

,

I'

wl

I("

(&'&7

I'a&&c

Vy. L.)ACi 80-S7LI, I')tf0 4VI. 10321 ) (ICy.A.(1.}

80-S70,

ICy. OACI

I

10321') (Ky,A,Ci,)

1&)80 V/I

'''1

Ol'fico &)f the Attn)s)cy General
Con)monwealth of Kentucky
OAC&

80-570

()ctnber 20, 1980
I ionnrablc
I.l«yd
Ar lii)g ALIorney
I LI«'I'iso)I Cou»tv

V.

L':.

Rogers

Llbrar)'oard

of 1 i'usLccs

C).13os 444

( ynthi;ina&
Dear

lvh'.

'I'h&ai'lk

Kentucky

&I

103

'l

it«gers:

ynil

I'ni

y«111'ellei'C)I'IC(lull»&&

tl)C Sil(li'Itin» betWCC» ihe llarriS«n

CniintV I.)brary Board a»d tho City Ol'Cyn-

th I'a I) &a.
'I

he folio«&ing answers are „)i'nviclccl to yoiir q(ieslioils:

I) Ca» the iiairison Co«i)ty Boarcl keep all library tax mcu)cy received )vithin 30 days prior to November
date of L&.'I'Irlini) lion ol'ts ('.On«'acl. wilh the City ol C".ynthiana I.,ihraryg
(

&fo. Accni'ding

Lo Lhe t&iw

ol'c&II)tracts both sides are obligated tn pcrfnr in their pa)t

of the

22. 1980,

bargain until such Lime as the

contract has terminated.

By the tern) s of'ihe conLraci any lihi ary tas n)nnc)''&'ccivcd hy lhe Lre&'Isul'el'f thc I h)ri'iso)t C'ounly Ltbr&ary 'I'av Board
Pi ioi'o Lhe Le)»)11)ail()l) of Lhe c«nti'act sho()ld bc dctivered to ihe frere's«i'ei'l thc Cyiilhiana Lib)a)y Boa) 0 v&ithin 30
days, 'I'his would include any libr(uy tax money receiv(.d wilhi» 30 d;Iys prior to the terminaLion date ol'Lhe contract.
'fl» lticir part Lhc C ily nf'ynthian&1 IS obli()aLcd lo provicte libiary sei vice
I&ISL ) 0-Cl&ly Pel'ind Pl'ini'u
'Con\I'&Icl.
(IIC I'Cr)i) i»at)O» «I 111(.

to

tl)C reSidents

of' farrison County during

the

(21 ls thc I.larrison Counly

Ltt&rtuy Do&)rd viilneiablc

lo a Laxp;)ycr's s)iit":

LIACI 7&I-)s establishes th&1( puhtic librar) districts created under ICR'$ 173A50 come vvitf)in lhc Lcrin "other
municipatity" of's I c)s ol lt)g Kentuck) L'()tlsiit))t)ic))t and tliat members of thc 13oard ol'TrusLces arc coi)sidered Lo be
inunicipal officers. Since lhc I larriso» Coui) ty Libras l3)st) ict was created by petition under tC l4'5 17",) &72() the Board
ol''I'rust(.cs couid bc suL&jccl to a t&axpaycr's suit. 'I'o successfully ma)ntain an a(.'tion Lhc taxpave)(s) )vn(I!d have tn
sh()w sl u)ding to bring& suet) a sail, a!I well as special or peculiar injui'y, Also, unde) kJL!&,l 7~&71+s')((lt thc district, as
a corp«i alc hndy, could hc sued Lhrouah Lhc 13«arel

Yes.

C())

2012 Thomson Rc«iers.

Nio

Claim to C)I'ig, L)S Cr'ov. Worl(s.

Pa!&e 2

Kv. ()A(3 g0-57(). 1&)80 Wl, 103&21'} (I(V.A.Ck)

( } Whit( pi'nccdil& c wo(ild th«p&'op le of Hal'i
&

&sot&

( c&untp

hav&,'o

lo h!&Ve lh« library tax

p(&&site

rope&a feel".

As sct fnrih in ()AG 67 263 a library district cveavc(f under iskS 1 i 720 (petition mclhod} can only be dissolved by
peLition inc(hod (Y.RS 173.g0(!'& Bnd such a district can on!y procure a cl)(U)'gc in ta): rate by thc petition method {1(RS
1~73,
thiis, the method ol'cvcation of libravy district governs tf&c rncihod ofdissolutioi) Bncl Vie( i'QI&. cliangc; such
n&«tin)&fs n&ust be thc same.
&

!'0':

Is Is

) 1""3."00 provides

f&1«'i'&on

I

&

cl('vl&

n

County would

pvoccc)u&'c

l&uvc

w()(lid the&'cL&pol)

but noi repealing a tax levy. Thcreforc, iL il)ay be (hat Lh«people ot
lt.s I 73.))00. 'I he county
library dis(riot by pc(itin» i&& accord!U)c(. wilh
ibr;U") Lag levy t'ron) the La» bills ot thc properly ownel's of the districl. [I&kS

the

I'&.'1&love

)

('I) Could thc sheriff be enjoined tiom
I

rust«cs

iil&t

&

I

decrcasi&&

I&»

io disso l v«

tl&c

p&iyin

I&&

ovci'11&c fibrin'y tax collect&(I to the 1)arrison county

1

ibl'Blv Boa&'6

uf

lt is iccp(.'&)le& I'?

"2 Yes, lf the

Han iso&& &'ou&)t} I.,ihvavy l}fs&)i&L is»o lo»„cv providii&g )IL)va&"j services Lo (llc people ot Harrison
"ou»ty, the sh«rift'could be cnjoi»c&l lrom payi»i& over (he library Lax co)Ice(cd pending repeal ol'(hat t!(x. Rurthcr.
deposit. with ihc Boarcl under thcs«cirvun)siaiiccs would b un'&(&(hori!C&l Bnd i)leg&al. &ee I';i&L! &,'lt. v, .ie»sj L&L&. S&',&!,. 43iN
.i&))i.'I s&() I ( j&)()')).
fi&

0&'der

&&etio&1,

(0 enjoin
well as

&&s

'(lie

sheiiA on this 1)iattcr, (hose Beef;ing

spcc&QI

ol'eczlliai

enjoii&&net&( &Yould haYe

(o show sta&iding to biii&g such an

U&)uvy.

i'hc Ci(y uf'L'ynthiana
I.ibrary become a I.ibravy Die(vie( under
l,ihrary 1)ist) ici is it) esistance?

15}Could

ts

f(li

I

l3 310 (&s foilg as ti)c Hari

Iso&i

County

No. 'I'he cstablishmeiit

ot'&vu library districts i» (he same county would be, contravy to (hc provisiniis of l&RN
&liR5 I!371 spcal&s in (cr)ns of &utho& ization to o&g&))fac Qll ol'the terriu) vy it& a county into a library dist& ici
ai&d mal&ca no pv() visions I'nv move thi&n one ) ibri»y disLvict in Lhe same c&&unty. As tlic 1 farrison County l,ibravy District
is!i)ready in csis(ence,;& seconcl library dis(rict in Ilavrison County &voufd not bc Bu(horiaed. 'I'f&cvefore, ihe City of
ol'the Harrison Co»i&ty I..ibrarY
Cynthiana f,ibravy c&11 Oi)ly bcco&UC a District (,ibnry vpo» thc discslahlisliinent
District in accordance with V.l~'8 I .&.l~()()t.
) 7&, &1

s&

(&S} i)ndcr I''.

lhen

&t

P4

ternate

I

i

&vith

&!) I ii& I) co«ld (Ye li'avc!& jo&i)t I)oa&'cl &v&th &i Neil)bcl i&l&PO&1&Lect II'o&1& the ( ity lui'i&c ( ) vc»i'ii)d
a member appo&iiLed from the c&&unty I'or one (I year tov il&e sole purpose &)I'br«aking (ic votes'
I

}

Ycs. A joint board coii)d hc
f)y i'e(ei'ci&cll)g 14)xh

I

app&)i&lie&1,

I.»,& '()~I)

lib&'ni V fo)IO&V&llg LI)C CXI)ir'&Lion

uf

il,

bitt oi)c

{I) vetu

tci'l»s

of of(&cc

is ass&a))C\f (hat voili'liics(to&i

&&O&ill

Pl'CSelll sei'V&CC

CL)&IL&',"Ici

would iiol h«QU(hol'ized.

ciivisioi&s lhc creation

Wiih lhC

of '&I) Uidepcl&&feil(
City OI'Cynlhian!i'S Library.

CO(int'y

thc members ol a board of (i'Ustees ol B couniy lit'&vary Brc .'&ppointcd by the coUnLy
Launder Kl(4 )7(„3'!i)('),
juc)gcicsecutivc. 'I he only (Iualil&c'&(ion tor tl&e job is 't&L))css ol'i)f'fice." j l h Ij A county )udge Ih«re(hie could co»-

ceiv()bly appoint a joii&t bo&avd &vith rep) escniation
bers)iip of a county board at live {.')),

7). &40(".) sets

t'orth Ihc

( I) mcn)ber for three

(3) yc mrs,

I'L,')

l

to serve IAUi'4) years," As

both the county a))d thc city l(RS 173.3 l0(l) sc(s thc mem-

ol OIT&ce f'r board members as fof Iows: "two (2) &neinbera I'or bvo (2) years, un«
(2) n)embers 1'r&r f'our (4) years. Thereafter trus(ces nt'the board are appointed
bc s& cii no provision is made )'oi'»)e (1) yenv terms,

Lcr&1)

c&sn

«!)

fr&)n&

'ind Lwo

01" '1'homson

Reuters, No Chiim lo

Ori&&,

US C)ov. Works.

Ky, ()A(i

80-i70. 1980 'vVI. 103"I (V.y.A,Ci,)

(7) Arc wc obligated
~cs

pag&c,j

&)

I( is assn&ned

to ['amish lib»&ry se&'vice to thc County il')ve I.ccp
thai this cfuestion

tt&c

of thc lib»»y

envisions a continuation

iax money?
t»x, ra(he&'han

ihc rcpcal of'lt&nt tax us

suggeslcd hy qucslions (8)) an(I (4).
I&npl&cil nt the &t)nti&)uul&nn ol lhc lib&&&ry levv is the ohfigalion to provide scrvi& c lfndcr I&I(s 171.7I", thc 0» ly
&'enson (he levy of (hc library tax is allowed in the l&rst p'lace is to pr()vide or contr &ct I'or library scr'vice. A( these funcfs

ca&loot

&3

Lj&.

used I'o&;)ny but library purpos&.s fICI&S

I

7 &.,;:(1(ft~j) i( is not

rc&)&fify

/

t)pparcnt what olsc you )vo«fd do vvi(h

njoney,

11&e

(ft) Could )ve operate the Buck&))obffe out 01 ou&')oncy

Ycs Ai(hou

xvith

our

A&g)

ccmcn& wilh thc Library Division".

docs notknovv the details of'&I.e A rcemenl th»tyouhavc withthe Dcparln)en(ul l,ib&'a&'ies.
Ic&jislativc body of'&y g&ovcrnmcn(al unit. to cont&'act &»& I(s own &nitiativc lo receive
service lion) the State Depa&tn)ent of I.ibrarics. This &vould include «n A&g&ecn&cnt for a 1lo&)kn)obilc.
h this off&cc

!&'~5„17.).8
Inlu) permits ihc

It

'&s

hope(I thol (hcsc

&u)s)vc&'s

p&'ov&'elpful.

4 ncc&'c1 v.
Slcvcn L. L~cshc&&r
Alt(un&') (icnc&'l
&

,lohn

I

I. (.)&"&&y

Ass&s(t&nt Aft()&llcy C&cner&&l

Lt'l&f i

J Scc C)A4 f)7- I Sft )vhich sta(cs

Ky. OA(l 80-S70, 1980

ra

not-. DOCuanL)X

(&&'f.

(hat no

&gcogr&)phic&&l

lin) itr apply.

10"21') (Ky.A.(k)

f

!(.'01"'I homson

l(cute

&

s, N 0

('.1&&nn T&j l

1»'j.

I I5

(it) v. Wovks.

1/'&! f.'&&-&1"i,:I'v",/,

I'184

I&

1984

I&y.

V,

Op. Aiiy. ('icn. 2-170,

I()&,

OA() 84-141, 1&)84 WI. 1857&)2 (l(y,A,C&.)

«)p. Atty, t len, 2-1? 0, l(y. () A(I 8'I-I

'l

l,

I &)

84 V

I,

Page

I

1857&)2 (l(y.A «f.)

"1 OITice of thc

At(or»cy Cicncral
Commoiiwca lib of I(entuclcy

OA() 84-141
April 6, 1984
Ml'..I&&hi)

8, Nichnls

Hc)yle Coil&)ty Clcl'k

Dai)ville, l&cmucky 40122
I')eiir Rhv. Nic;huis:

You have a problem conccviii»g tl)c floytc C&iunly l,ihrary Dist& ict. It:; chief suu)'cc of'»con)e is iis special ad valax. fi needs n&oic I'unds f'ov expansion nf'its physical f;icifi(ics;ind services. Consequently, (he elis(rict board
incinb rs and other friends are circuhitii)g petitions reclucstin& the r&iising of Lhc iax rate to a. specific:, Cigu)'C. 'fhe
pc(ilioii fbn» se(s nu( bhinks for tlic personal signature ot thc', individual registci'cd voter, the address, and dale sigt)ed,
fc))'en)

You ui»fera(a&i&i (h)ii whei) In)ishe&I &in&I uccepierl by (lie f&ac&it courl, tfiu puiiiii&n wi) I bu iuiu)cd uver lo yoii as cc)un(y
I'br verification of'si&'Iliitilrcs, Aciclally, cinder l(I(.i !73,()10!I'}, the petiLion ol qualified and icegisicred voters is
i&lcd clivectly cvith yoii iis county clerk. And il the peiitioi) is I&.. a!Iy sufi&cie»t, as dcscribcd in (hc statute. you, as clerk,
il) list c'i'ilsi, (h&". qclestion ti& bu prcpai cd to be pres(»1(cd in ihe v&)ters of'Ihc lib)'&lry districl,

clerk,

Ynu) qiiestion is: 'vVhat constitulcs

&ill

acceptable

sl&'ll'1(cli'e Ot'such

petitioners?

.;-s»cnc'. (hc peti(i&!n is I&le&i piirsua»i to I(n 8 &7 &,(i I c).,icc L'R! 17:..(l0(21 lor an i»evens&: ll!& iL. I.s icialcs to ",i)c
oi'voters, a reason&able coll)pal'Iso» ol signatures wou]ii sultice. Thus a person namcci Alice I(.. )ones could
sigil &is Mrs. )Ohn )uncs ii'Lhc Iia»dwvit ing appcavs to bc by (lic same person, I lowevcr ihe col)ip&ii'Iso» Il) ily go v&iu iis
clevk must. i&nally salisly )ourself that the peti(i&)i)ers circ in loci qualified voters under
I f:&, I:cntucf.y (.piistitil(ic)&1,
Il&CI leg&S(c'1'ecl votcl S Ol tlie c'fist&'ic( iil Lllc pl&CC&Sc iil»C they sfgi'1 thc pc(i(in&'I. Nn(e flint lhc tei &11
clualif led voters" is
&use& I coils istei) i ly in Iu I-',4
'70 Hncl 173()10.Sce S Ll &I.'n) d I I"; I(cn(uckv 6&2»:.(1(l&tinn; ('o t icy v..end&'& son,,!(v,
71.'$&L»:&"d(1 4 f 19()1); ai)d lf0)v&:Il v. '&) ilsoli»& Js), .)71 N.'&»'cl 6?", I'l&)C).. &.'flius yoii m)1st bc reasonably ccrLain of
identification ol'a pctilic ncr, bu( as a qualified and ic isicrcd voter ofllic dis(vicl at Ll&c Lime they sign the pe(i(ion to
gct i( on Lhc ballni.

wc

sign&alii&sos

&S&

17,

As col»:CI')1!i ih&':)&ldress and elate ditto marks
conditions listed above.
'S I &1 &,'Ci'&'

D&iv

I&I

woul&'I

bc L&cccp(able

whc&

c Lhe two parties can bc idcntihcd

v,

L.

Ai'i»st&'n&1&'ttn&

)icy (1e)1 &) i a I

By: Ch&irlcs W. Reny:in

~&'.':

2012 Thc)muon Reuters.

Nn Claim

lc&

(&rig. I f8 (ic)v. Wc)) Ics,

under the

1984 Ky. Ap. Atty, Cic)t. '2-1 /0. Iiy, OA(i 8iI-I it I, 1984 Wl, 1857'I21l&y,A.G.)
i

Assist&lilt

DcpLlty Attn)'llvv

I'Itt:I Ky. ()11. Atty, Cic)1,
I:.NP. OF

IX)(.'(I MI

()cltc)RI

2-170. I(y. ()A(1 8:I-I'I I. 1&)81 WI, 185792 (1&y.A.(i.)

N'I

'&1

2ll1" 'I'I'lOI)ls)))1 Rc))IC)'s. No (

Iclll)1 I()

(1)')g, (J.& ()oY. WO)'ICS.

I)(~

c2

'f 73.790 llncrc'1sc or decrease iu tax kvy

(I)

—
Proccd&11 C.

and operation ol'a puhlic
acl valorem Lax, rate f'r thc maintenance
disfrici c&catcd purst&an& to KRS 173.710 Lo !73,800 before July 13, I &)g4,
library
shall not bc increase&1 or decreased unless a dul3 certihed petition requesting an
increase or decrease in Ihe Lax rale, of a specifically stated amount is signed by fiftyo&tc percent (& IN) of thc I'IUITIbel'f duly qualified voters voting at the lust g&eneral
clccfion in each county in the district. Such petition shall be filed with the !&seal
cour&. in each county in the district noi later than ninety (90) days aACI the date
li&st signature. 'I'hc fiscal court shall o&der Lhe court to incrcasc ot decrease the

Thc sp«cial

of'he

&ts sia ted 111 thc f3«ili!on
'I'hc petition shall read. "'I'he fbllowing duly qualified voters of (insert name of
county- or counties) hereby petition Lhe fiscal cou&t of'each county concerned
to increase (or dccrcasc) Lhc special ad valo&tcm tax from (inseli exact Q111ount}
k& (insert'x;Ict amount) on each one hund&'ed dollars ($ 100} worth of properly
assessed I'nr local f;&xation in the district for the mainLenance and operation of
Ihc (inseri name) I'ublic l.ibrary Districf."

Hd vt&lol'& nl L&ix,

(a)

(h')

The

pe&.&Lion

pclti&ottei

(3)

conLa&n

Lhc

I'ollowtnf.;:

upolt whtch he s&gl1cd

Thc name and address

of'ach

LI1c p&'fit&on.

Ally Inc&'case pl'ovidcd for in subsection (I) ol Lhis section shall not exceed Lw«nfy
cents ($ 0.20) on each onc hundred dollars (!t l00) of ihc assessed valuation of al!
!3I&3pcI LV

{3')

shall

&lnd Lhe dHLc

I&1

LIIC d! ISLI'&Ci.

A petition requcsiing& a dccrcasc in Lhe Lax rate will not be considered of any I«gal
cf'f'cct if; ai any time prior to the hling& ol such
peiiiion f'r decrease, eiLhe&:
t&

(a)

(b)

obli ations have been assumed
by pertinent
auihoriiies
in cunneci.ion
wit! I said subject library, which
obligations would be 1&dvcrsely a!Tcctcd by 'tny such decrease; or
&...ol3&r«ciu&ll

contra«&in»

contrac(ual

ol such a pcLiiion for decrease„ thc board of such
disl&ict shall have, arranged for the tinancin» &3f a library in that disiricL
PL!rsuani Lu a plan ol !!nf&n«ing& inVO!ving a 'e;,e ot'I!st!ibrary to ihe board&:..
ur&d«r which lease Lhc board is not bound for morc Lh&ul one (I) year at a iin1c
&vithouf, exercising an an&tual option io rel3cv, the lease and such lease remains
cf fcctive enid has noi !3& c&t tct'&jul;lied;

If, as of the Ii&ne

o('ilin

~

ol'c)

less titan thrcc (3) yca&s have passed sine&; ihe Certified copy of ihc or&ler o(
Lhe Itscal coLIIL'irderi&lg the levy ol the tax was filed with thc county clerk.
If

I:rrective'&,l&&ly

&3.

I954

I'S I Ky, Acts ch, ]00. sec. I(&, cITcc&ivc July 13, I9R4. —Amc&tdcd
Anscndcd f972 Ky. Acts
I97II Ky, Ach ch. 384, sec. 299, cl'rcc&ivc Jut&c 17, L97I&. —
{".reu&cd I 9&&4 K y, Acts
A&nc»dcd I 97&3 Ky. Acts ch. 211, sec. 7. —
ch. 223. sec. Ihh —
ch. 92..cc. Il.

Itis«»y:

Amc»dcd