May 9, 2025

2025 legislative session in review

The 2025 legislative session was a “short” 30-working days for Kentucky’s General Assembly, yet lawmakers still managed to file 1,080 bills for consideration. Although this was a non-budget year, legislators addressed several topics related to revenue, transportation funding and financial support for counties affected by the February flooding.

Summaries of legislation relevant to county government are included in KACo's 2025 legislative wrap-up. Unless otherwise noted, all bills passed become law 90 days after the end of the legislative session. This year, that date is June 27.

Dates set for 2025 KACo salt auction

KACo will host the 2025 Salt Auction for counties on June 17 and 18. The auction offers fiscal courts a proven way to save 20–40 percent on road salt through reverse auctions.

In a typical auction, prices go up as people compete to buy something. In a reverse auction, prices go down as sellers compete to offer the lowest price. This process creates a competitive environment that can result in cost savings.

The registration deadline to participate in the salt auction is June 3.

Governor announces decline in highway fatalities in 2024

Gov. Andy Beshear announced Thursday that highway fatalities in Kentucky decreased in 2024 to 707 deaths – down 107 compared with 2023. This total marks the lowest number of highway fatalities in the last 10 years.

“These numbers mean fewer families have had to deal with such a painful loss, and it’s welcome news,” said Gov. Beshear. “By working together, we can ensure everyone traveling on Kentucky’s roadways makes it home safely. Let’s keep doing all we can to prevent tragedies – like buckling up, driving distraction-free and slowing down.”

KACo data brief: 2025 county occupational tax

Occupational license fees are taxes that may be imposed as a percentage of payroll on those working within a county and/or as a percentage of net profits of business activities in the county.

• As of January 2025, 87 counties levied an occupational license fee with all 87 levying the tax on payroll and 70 on net profits.
• Rates range from 0.50 percent to 2.5 percent, with a median rate of 1 percent.
• Excluding Fayette and Jefferson, counties collected a total of $387 million in occupational license fees on payroll and net profits in FY 2023, making up 44.5 percent of all tax revenue.

KYSAFE Occupational Safety & Health Training

KYSAFE is offering a three-day training event May 13-15 in Versailles. Registration is currently closed, but the program welcomes walk-in participants. Topics include:

• OSH overview
• Wages and hours
• Permit-required confined space
• Welding safety
• Powered industrial trucks
• Injury/illness record keeping and reporting

Check out the latest headlines from across Kentucky

A longtime employee of the Campbell County Detention Center is retiring after helping some 2,500 inmates earn their GED, the Winchester Sun writes a feature article on the Clark County Coroner's Office, Marshall County approves an ordinance for special purpose vehicles, several counties receive state grant funding to improve local parks, and more.

This week's roundup of local news includes stories from Campbell, Clark, Franklin, Hardin, Marshall, Warren, Webster and Wolfe counties.

Training Opportunities

Planning and Zoning

Date: May 21, 2025

Time: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. ET

Location: KACo HQ, Frankfort

Cost: $80.00 member/$120 non-member

Are you getting the most out of planning and zoning in your community? Explore some best practices that will enhance planning in your community and create an open, transparent environment ready to promote sound development. This interactive session will also discuss current planning news and topics from around the state (and beyond), how your community may be affected and possible solutions on how to deal with some of today's most pressing land use matters. Eligible for 8 hours of training credit.

Opioid Solutions Monthly Webinar Series

Throughout 2025, KACo is hosting a series of monthly webinars about the use of opioid settlement funds, including examples of innovative county programs and best practices.

This week in pictures

KACo's Michael Ray and Phil Crumpton present a safety grant to Morgan County Sheriff Greg Motley.

KACo's Phil Crumpton and Michael Ray present a safety grant to Allen County Judge/Executive Dennis Harper and Sheriff Brandon Ford.

Congratulations to Spencer County for becoming a StormReady Community.

Barren County Judge/Executive Jamie Bewley Byrd speaks to students at Glasgow High School this week.

In Madison County, Judge/Executive Reagan Taylor gives a tour of the renovated courthouse ahead of next week's move in.

Shelby County Judge/Executive Dan Ison helped break ground for a new Habitat for Humanity home.

Judge/Executives James Kay of Woodford County and Sarah Steele of Mercer County provide a flood update to residents.

Campbell County Jailer Jim Daley accepts a KACo safety grant from Michael Ray.

Majority Floor Leader Rep. Steven Rudy met with several sheriffs in western Kentucky this week.