KRS 64.625

Physicians employed by county, city-county, and district health departments may, upon written recommendation of the hiring and paying authorities expressly approved in writing by the secretary for health and family services, receive compensation in excess of, and without regard to, any limitation imposed by any existing statute, as employees of local health units. Such rates shall be based upon studies of the duties and responsibilities of the positions and upon a comparison for rates being paid for similar or comparable services elsewhere. The secretary for health and family services may also take into consideration other appropriate factors, including the scarcity of physicians qualified for public health work and the availability of local funds therefor.