Dec. 13, 2024

No, you don't want county employees to buy gift cards

Cybersecurity threats and scams continue to evolve, targeting individuals, organizations and county governments in increasingly deceptive ways. A recent example from Cumberland County underscores the importance of remaining vigilant.

During Thanksgiving week, members of the fiscal court and other elected officials received fraudulent emails from someone impersonating Judge/Executive Luke King.

Madison County, Scott County, Lexington and Berea join forces to create regional business park

Central Kentucky is making significant strides in economic development with the creation of its first public, multi-county industrial park. The Lexington Fayette Urban-County Government, Scott County, Madison County and the City of Berea have partnered to establish a 300-acre regional business park in the Menelaus Industrial Park area of Berea.

Learn more about the project in the article below, or click here to hear directly from stakeholders about the significance of this collaborative effort.

ARPA deadline approaching: What counties need to know before Dec. 31, 2024

With the Dec. 31, 2024 deadline for obligating American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) quickly approaching, counties nationwide are assessing how best to allocate these critical resources.

The deadline means counties must not only allocate these funds but also have contractual commitments in place before the year ends.

Understanding the county jail per diem

Kentucky’s county jails play a significant role in housing state inmates, a responsibility that can strain county budgets. With rising costs and stagnant reimbursement rates, counties face challenges in maintaining adequate jail facilities and services.

This article delves into the county jail per diem, how it’s calculated, and its impact on county budgets.

Opioid Abatement Commission accepting grant applications

The Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission is accepting applications for 2025 grants from the state's portion of opioid settlement funds. The application period will close at 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. Counties are eligible to apply.

To learn more about this funding opportunity, you can view a recording of this month's KACo webinar and download a copy of the presentation at the link below.

Promote safe winter driving behavior

Winter weather can be dangerous for drivers. Employers can help keep workers safe by training them on the hazards of operating motor vehicles in wintry conditions.



As part of that training, OSHA says employers should implement an effective maintenance program for all vehicles and mechanized equipment that workers are required to operate.

Check out the latest headlines from across Kentucky

Toyota is investing nearly a billion dollars in Scott County, virtual reality is allowing a sheriff's office to put deputies in a variety of scenarios, Washington County considers an ABC ordinance, remembering the deadly tornado outbreak of December 2021 and more.

This week's roundup of counties in the news includes stories from Graves, Greenup, Harlan, LaRue, Muhlenberg, Pulaski, Scott, Warren and Washington counties.

Training Opportunities

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: Jan. 9, Feb. 13, March 13, April 10, May 8.

This week in pictures

KACo's Rich Ornstein visited with Barren County Judge/Executive Jamie Bewley Byrd earlier this week.

Allen County Judge/Executive Dennis Harper also received a visit from Rich Ornstein.

Anderson County Judge/Executive Orbrey Gritton and his staff members show off their holiday spirit this week.

Fulton County recently received the National Association of Redevelopment Officials Impact Award at its annual meeting in New Orleans. Pictured with Fulton County Judge/Executive Jim Martin are Economic Development President for Fulton and Hickman County Mark Welch, Fulton City Manager Mike Gunn, Hickman County Judge/Executive Kenny Wilson and Ballard County Judge/Executive Todd Cooper.

From left in front, judge/executives Charlie Castlen (Daviess County), Johnny Roberts Jr. (Hancock County) and Curtis Dame (McLean County) are sworn in as GRADD officers. Roberts will serve as chairman, Dame secretary and Castlen treasurer.

Muhlenberg County Judge/Executive Mack McGehee welcomed social studies students from Muhlenberg County Middle School to the courthouse for a tour and to watch a mock trial.

Cumberland County magistrates Rondall Wray, Lane Cope and Larry Anderson, along with Judge/Executive Luke King, honored the girls volleyball team from Cumberland County High School following the team's best season in school history.

Kentucky Sheriffs' Association Executive Director Jerry Wagner, left, and Harrison County Sheriff Shain Stephens lead an association meeting held at KACo.

Sheriffs and other sheriff personnel llisten to the discussion at the sheriff association meeting held at KACo.

Hardin County Sheriff John Ward, left, listens to Jefferson County Deputy Sheriff Bill Burch during a discussion at the sheriffs meeting.

Campbell County Sheriff Mike Jansen, left, and Jefferson County Sheriff John Aubrey listen to Jerry Wagner's discussion at the meeting. 

Graves County Judge/Executive Jesse Perry presents keys to a new home to a survivor of the December 2021 tornadoes.

Fleming County Chief Deputy Rob Conn and other personnel have been collecting donations for the county's Shop with a Cop program. Officers are having a contest to see who can raise the most donations for the program with the person collecting the most money in their name having to shave their beard.

Clark County Jailer Frank Doyle and his staff were treated to fresh doughnuts from a local business.

Hardin County Judge/Executive Keith Taul, right, helped celebrate the inaugural West Hardin High School Athletic Hall of Fame inductees Larry Brown, Mike Richardson and Bobby Williams at a recent basketball game.