Home Rule City of Hills and Dales
The subdivision of Hills and Dales was developed by American businessman, real estate developer and philanthropist James Graham Brown in the mid 1950’s. At this time, few services were provided by Jefferson County government to unincorporated portions of the county.
The solution for many Jefferson County communities was to incorporate, and to establish a local government with taxing authority so that funds would be available to provide needed services to residents. Hills and Dales incorporated in 1976, joining over 60 other incorporated cities in Jefferson County. Once incorporated, the new sixth class City of Hills and Dales elected a mayor and four commissioners and established a commission form of government.
In 2000, the separate governments of Louisville and Jefferson County merged. Following the merger, 83 incorporated cities in Jefferson County remained intact. In January 2003, the newly consolidated city-county government, commonly known as “Louisville Metro”, began operating.
In 2014, the passage of HB 331 put all Kentucky cities except Louisville and Lexington in a “Home Rule” class and reduced the number of Kentucky city classifications from six to two. Kentucky cities are no longer classed based upon population but by the governance model under which they operate. Along with over 400 other Kentucky cities that operate under either a mayor/council, city manager or commission form of government, the City of Hills and Dales is now classed as a Home Rule city.
The solution for many Jefferson County communities was to incorporate, and to establish a local government with taxing authority so that funds would be available to provide needed services to residents. Hills and Dales incorporated in 1976, joining over 60 other incorporated cities in Jefferson County. Once incorporated, the new sixth class City of Hills and Dales elected a mayor and four commissioners and established a commission form of government.
In 2000, the separate governments of Louisville and Jefferson County merged. Following the merger, 83 incorporated cities in Jefferson County remained intact. In January 2003, the newly consolidated city-county government, commonly known as “Louisville Metro”, began operating.
In 2014, the passage of HB 331 put all Kentucky cities except Louisville and Lexington in a “Home Rule” class and reduced the number of Kentucky city classifications from six to two. Kentucky cities are no longer classed based upon population but by the governance model under which they operate. Along with over 400 other Kentucky cities that operate under either a mayor/council, city manager or commission form of government, the City of Hills and Dales is now classed as a Home Rule city.