Feb. 14, 2025

County leaders gather in Frankfort to meet with legislators

County officials from across Kentucky convened in Frankfort this week to engage with their legislators on key issues relevant to counties.


Following a day of meetings and committee discussions Wednesday, hundreds of county leaders and lawmakers attended the County Officials Legislative Reception at KACo Headquarters.  


With the bill filing deadlines quickly approaching – Feb. 18 in the Senate and Feb. 19 in the House – legislators continue to draft legislation for consideration this session. More than 700 bills have been filed to date.

Read more here

Be weather aware this weekend - NWS briefing at 3:15 p.m. ET today

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a flood watch for almost all of Kentucky and portions of southern Indiana in effect from early Saturday through midday Sunday.



Widespread areal, river and isolated flash flooding are all possible in that time frame.


The NWS will be hosting a teleconference on the situation today, Jan. 14 at 3:15 p.m. ET. You can listen to the briefing here. 

Read more here

NACo wants to celebrate the good work happening in your county

Since 1970, the NACo Achievement Awards have recognized outstanding county government programs and services. Through a non-competitive application process, noteworthy programs receive awards in 18 categories that cover a vast range of county responsibilities.


The deadline to apply for the 2025 awards is March 31.

Read more here

Check out the latest headlines from across Kentucky

Counties prepare for heavy rain, Warren County's inmate re-entry program earns high marks, Bullitt County celebrates a successful first year of Mental Health Court, the Green River Area Development District is working on the 2026 disaster readiness plan, McLean County pushes for better service from USPS, and more.


This week's roundup of local news includes stories from Bullitt, Campbell, Daviess, Estill, Grant, Jefferson, Laurel, McLean, Warren and Wayne counties.

Read more here

Training Opportunities

KACo Leadership Institute: Top Ten County Audit Findings

Date: Feb. 27, 2025

Time: 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. ET

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free


The Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts conducts over 600 audits each year. This training will highlight the ten most common findings in local offices and strategies to prevent them. Two seasoned APA auditors will explain the causes, implications, and solutions for these frequent audit issues.

Register here

Opioid Solutions Monthly Webinar Series

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


Currently, webinars are scheduled for 11 a.m. - noon, ET on the following dates in 2025: March 13, April 10, May 8.

Register here

WRAP VR Train the Trainer class

Registration for the 2025 WRAP VR Train the Trainer class is now open. The course is available for sheriffs and jailers. Any department requesting to utilize the WRAP system must send at least one trainer to a training class.


Training is available on Feb. 26, Feb. 27, March 5 and March 6.

Register here

Jail Training: Investigating Sexual Abuse in Correctional Settings

Date: Feb. 20-21, 2025

Lcation: Grayson County Detention Center Training Facility

Cost: Free


This free 2-day course is intended to train detention center personnel to become certified PREA Investigations per Section 115 of the PREA Standards for the purpose of complying with PREA audit requirements. Open to all Kentucky Jailers and Deputy Jailers.

Register here

KACo Leadership Institute: Opioid Solutions

Date: March 25, 2025

Time: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. ET

Location: KACo HQ, 400 Englewood Dr., Frankfort, KY

Cost: Free


This full-day training will provide critical updates from the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission (KYOAAC) on reporting requirements, best practices, and funding opportunities. With networking opportunities and a dedicated Q&A session, this training is essential for those responsible for managing opioid settlement funds and driving community change. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and practical tools to support recovery initiatives in your county.

Register here

Emregency Preparedness Series: Storm Ready Counties

Date: March 27, 2025

Time: 11 a.m. - noon ET

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free


The StormReady program helps arm America's communities with the communication and safety skills needed to save lives and property--before, during and after the event. StormReady helps community leaders and emergency managers strengthen local safety programs. 

Register here

Thank you to everyone who joined us this week for the 2025 County Officials Legislative Reception! We appreciate our county officials, partners and friends for coming together to recognize and network with members of the 2025 General Assembly. Your engagement and dedication make a difference for Kentucky’s counties.

KACo Director of Government Affairs Shellie Hampton with Sen. Greg Elkins

Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman and KACo President/Harlan County Judge/Executive Dan Mosley

Sheriffs at the 2025 County Officials Legislative Reception

Butler County Judge/Executive Tim Flener, Rep. Rebecca Raymer, Butler County Clerk Sherry Johnson and Butler County Magistrate Dillon Bryant.

Sen. Robby Mills talks with Henderson County Jailer Bruce Todd.

Boone County Judge/Executive Gary Moore, Rep. Chris Freeland and Sen. Chris McDaniel

Senate President Robert Stivers, Whitley County Judge/Executive Pat White and Rep. Nick Wilson

Rep. T.J. Roberts, Owen County Circuit Court Clerk Margaret Forsee, Kenton County Circuit Court Clerk John Middleton and Sen. Gex Williams

Grant County Clerk Tabatha Clemons talks with Boone County Circuit Court Clerk David Martin

Kentucky county clerks at the 2025 County Officials Legislative Reception

Property Valuation Administrators (PVAs) at the County Officials Legislative Reception at KACo Headquarters

Coroners at the County Officials Legislative Reception at KACo Headquarters

Lewis County Sheriff Johnny Bivens and Sen. Robin Webb

Jessamine County Judge/Executive David West talks with Rep. Adam Moore

Col. Pat Morgan from the Kentucky Sheriffs' Association and Rep. John Blanton

Russell County Judge/Executive Randy Marcum and Pulaski County Judge/Executive Marshall Todd

Grant County Magistrate Jacqalynn Riley talks with Sen. Matt Nunn

Oldham County Magistrate Chris Haunz, Oldham County Sheriff Tim Wakefield and Sen. Lindsey Tichenor

KACo President Dan Mosley talks with Deputy Chief Justice Robert Conley and Rep. TJ Roberts

Bullitt County Judge/Executive Jerry Summers, Rep. Peyton Griffee and Shellie Hampton

Franklin County Clerk Jeff Hancock and Rep. Erika Hancock

KACo President Dan Mosley, KCTCS President Dr. Ryan Quarles, Rep. Mitch Whitaker

Bracken County Magistrate Craig Miller and Sen. Shelley Funke Frommeyer

Menifee County Judge/Executive Rick Stiltner (right) is the outgoing chair of the Kentucky Council of Area Development Districts. The new chair is Magoffin County Judge/Executive Matt Wireman.

Allen County officials met with Sen. Max Wise Wednesday.

Scott County officials met with Rep. Tony Hampton, who is a former sheriff of Scott County.

KACo's Shellie Hampton and Shelby County Judge/Executive Dan Ison

Hart County Magistrate Kate Kenny talks with KACo Opioid Settlement Advisor Lauren Carr

Rep. Josh Branscum at the 2025 County Officials Legislative Reception

Caldwell County Circuit Court Clerk Christie Storm, Justice Shea Nickell, Owen County Circuit Court Clerk Margaret Forsee

Rep. Felicia Rabourn met with officials from Henry County.

Rep. Felicia Rabourn discussed local needs with officials from Owen County.

Rep. Felicia Rabourn met with officials from Trimble County.

Stronger Counties. Stronger Kentucky.