The Merged Government shall have power and authority:
1. To levy and collect taxes upon all property taxable for state purposes within the territorial limits of the Merged Government not exempt by law from such taxation; and, to provide for reasonable differences in the rate of ad valorem taxation for the General Services District, the Full Urban Services District, and such Partial Urban Services Districts as may be created under the authority of this Charter.
2. To license, tax and regulate all privileges, occupations, trades, and professions authorized by law.
3. To make appropriations for the support of the Merged Government and provide for the payment of all debts and expenses of the Merged Government and the debts and expenses of the county and municipality of which it is the successor.
4. To borrow money for the purposes and in the manner prescribed in Article Eight of this Charter.
5. To purchase, lease, construct, maintain, or otherwise acquire, hold and operate any building or other property, real or personal, for any public purpose; and to sell, lease or otherwise dispose of any property, real or personal belonging to the Merged Government.
6. To exercise the power of eminent domain for any public purpose subject to such limitations and exceptions as are, or hereafter may be, prescribed by the Constitution and general laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
7. To design, lay out, grade, pave, repair, clean and otherwise improve streets, roads, alleys, bridges, tunnels, and walkways, of the Merged Government; and to regulate the use thereof.
8. To provide for the creation and maintenance, building or purchase, and operation of waterworks, transportation facilities, public airports, bridges, and drainage systems, and any other public utility including, but not limited to, sewers and sewage disposal systems as authorized by law; to fix such rates and provide for the making of such charges and assessments as are deemed necessary for the proper furnishing of such services; and, to provide liens or penalties and withdrawal of service for refusal or failure to pay same.
9. To acquire, own, maintain and operate public parks, playgrounds, and other recreational facilities; and to equip and improve them with all suitable devices, buildings, and other structures.
10. To establish, erect, maintain, and operate facilities for the confinement, detention, and rehabilitation of persons convicted of the violation of the ordinances and laws of the Merged Government or the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
11. To establish, maintain, and operate public hospitals or contract with others for the care of the sick, the mentally ill and the destitute.
12. To establish, maintain, and support public libraries.
13. To pass and enforce by fines and penalties, if necessary, all such ordinances, not inconsistent with the law, as are expedient in maintaining the peace, and good government, health and welfare of the inhabitants of the Urban County and to prevent, abate and remove nuisances.
14. To establish, inspect, and regulate weights and measures and provide for the regulation, inspection and use of foods and other commodities as provided by law.
15. To regulate the alteration, destruction, and erection of buildings and all other structures in the interest of the health, safety, and welfare of the public; to adopt building, housing, plumbing, gas, electrical, and other codes; and to regulate, by license or otherwise, all building trades; and to grant permits for the construction, alteration and erection of buildings and all other structures.
16. To grant franchises and rights-of-way through the streets and roads and other public property.
17. To regulate the operation of all vehicles and exercise control over all traffic, vehicular and pedestrian; including, parking on and under the public streets, roads, alleys, and walkways of the Merged Government.
18. To collect and dispose of garbage, junk and other refuse; and to regulate the collection and disposal of garbage, junk and other refuse by others.
19. To regulate the emission of smoke or other exhausts which pollute the air; and to prevent the pollution of natural streams which flow within the territorial limits of the Merged Government.
20. To provide for the redevelopment, renewal or rehabilitation of blighted, deteriorated, or dilapidated areas.
21. To make and enforce zoning regulations.
22. To provide for the protection of, and prevent cruelty to, children and animals.
23. To establish, organize, maintain, and operate police and fire services within the territorial limits of the Merged Government.
24. To create, alter or abolish departments, boards, commissions, offices, and agencies, and to confer upon same necessary and appropriate authority for carrying out all powers and duties assigned thereto.
25. To enter into contracts and agreements with other governmental entities and also private persons, firms, and corporations with respect to furnishing services.
Annotation—The Charter is the structure of the Urban County Government; the powers of the Urban County Government come from the General Assembly. Holsclaw v. Stephens , Ky., 507 S.W.2d 462, 471 (1974); Candler v. Blevins , Ky., 922 S.W.2d 376 (1996); and Blakely v. Blevins , Ky., 922 S.W.2d 378 (1996).