Office of Budget & Policy

The Office of Budget and Policy is responsible for the budget and capital construction functions of the Kentucky Court of Justice.

The Administrative Office of the Courts is the fiscal agent for the Judicial Branch. The Office of Budget and Policy prepares and executes the annual operating budget for the Judicial Branch and analyzes the fiscal impact of legislation. The department also prepares the Judicial Branch Biennial Budget Recommendation and Budget Request for submission to the Kentucky General Assembly.

The Judicial Branch is funded by appropriations from the General Assembly. The budget represents approximately 3 percent of the total state general funds for each biennium. The budget pays for all expenses of the state court system including salaries of elected officials and non-elected personnel, court facilities, court technology and office supplies and equipment.

All funds collected by the court system from filing fees and court costs are deposited into the state treasury for general fund disbursement. The only exceptions are the law library fee, the county jail fee and the sheriff security fee, which are distributed at the local level, and third-party money.

The division of Capital Construction is responsible for all new judicial center construction as well as facilities maintenance and leasing.