Rowan County Clerk, Judge-Executive's early retirement sparks complications

Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis, along with Rowan County Judge-Executive Walter Blevins, have announced they will retire on Dec. 31, according to the Morehead News.

The paper reports the respective retirements, which come seven days prior to their terms are scheduled to end, presents some complications when it comes to transitioning into the next term.

Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis lost her re-election bid to Elwood Caudill Jr. back in November. Blevins did not run for re-election. Harry Clark will hold the position in the new term.

According to The Morehead News, both Blevins and Davis claim ending their terms early will protect their retirement and benefits. Rowan County Attorney Cecil Watkins claims about 40 other judge-executives across the state are following suit for similar reasons.

The announcements present a chain-reaction of complications, insofar as only the Kentucky Governor can appoint a vacant judge-executive seat, and only a judge-executive can appoint a vacant clerk’s seat.

Gov. Bevin postponed appointment of a judge-executive when he called a special session of the Kentucky Legislature on Monday. Now, with the holiday season, a judge-executive may not be appointed to serve during the seven day window between Blevin’s departure and the start of incoming Judge-Executive Harry Clark’s term. Rowan County Attorney Cecil Watkins says the Fiscal Court could vote in an interim judge-executive to serve during that week.