KRS 175.580: Maintenance of turnpike -- Restoration of private property -- Donation of

property by county or city -- Annual report of turnpike activities -- Audits --

Prohibition of interest of department or authority personnel.

(1) Except as otherwise provided in the agreement or lease relating thereto, each

turnpike project when constructed and opened to traffic shall be maintained and

kept in good condition and repair by the department under the terms and provisions

of the agreement or lease, and shall be operat ed and maintained by such force of

tolltakers, and other operating and maintenance employees, as the department may

in its discretion employ, and the department shall not be reimbursed for the cost

thereof unless expressly otherwise provided in the agreement or lease.

(2) All private property damaged or destroyed in carrying out the powers granted by

this chapter shall be restored or repaired and placed in its original condition as

nearly as practicable or adequate compensation made therefor out of funds provided

under the authority of this chapter.

(3) All counties, cities, towns and other political subdivisions and all public agencies

and commissions of the Commonwealth, notwithstanding any contrary provision of

law, may lease, lend, grant or convey to the authority at its request, upon such terms

and conditions as the proper authorities of the counties, cities, towns, political

subdivisions, agencies or commissions of the Commonwealth deem reasonable and

fair and without the necessity for any advertisement , order of court or other action

or formality, other than the regular and formal action of the authorities concerned,

any real property which is necessary or convenient to the effectuation of the

authorized purposes of the authority, including public roads and other real property

already devoted to public use.

(4) On or before January 30 in each year the authority shall make an annual report of its

activities for the preceding year to the Governor and to the General Assembly. Each

such report shall set fort h a complete operating and financial statement covering its

operations during the year. The authority shall cause an audit of its books and

accounts to be made at least once in each year by certified public accountants and

the cost thereof may be treated a s a part of the cost of construction or operation of

the project. Such audits are public records within meaning of KRS 61.870(2).

(5) No officer or employee of the authority or of the department shall have any interest,

direct or indirect, in the sale or p urchase of any bonds authorized by this chapter.

Violation of this provision shall be punishable by a fine of not more than one

thousand dollars ($1,000) or by imprisonment for not more than one (1) year, or

both.