Aug. 9, 2024

Ask Rich: Cell phones and the Open Records Act

In the latest issue of County Line, Staff Attorney Rich Ornstein answers your questions regarding cell phones and the Open Records Act, including what's considered public record and what isn't.

Navigating a complex insurance market

If your county has felt the sting of rising insurance premiums in recent years, you’re not alone. Severe weather, cyberattacks, multi-million-dollar lawsuits and more have affected public entities across the country.

The evolving insurance market is complex, and public entities face several challenges in managing their risk profile. To help keep insurance rates as low as possible, county governments must take proactive steps to manage property and liability risks, thereby reducing their overall claims.

2024 I Love My KY County Art Contest opens next week

KACo is excited to announce that submissions for the 2024 I Love My KY County Art Contest will open Aug. 12. We invite all students from kindergarten through 8th grade to express their love for their Kentucky county through creative artwork. Last year, we received hundreds of submissions from across the Commonwealth. This year, we're aiming for even more participation!

We encourage you to connect with local schools and inspire students to showcase their county pride. 

The winning artworks will be proudly featured in the 2025 KACo calendar, and the top three artists will have the honor of being recognized at the 2024 KACo Conference.

The deadline for submissions is Sep. 30.

KACo Leadership Institute: Best practices for opioid settlement funds

The next session of the KACo Leadership Institute’s focus on opioid settlement funds will feature discussions on compassionate care, effective prevention strategies, regional collaboration and county jail compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The seminar will run 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. CDT Thursday, Aug. 29 at the Green River Area Development District in Owensboro.

Tips for effective workplace housekeeping in county buildings

To some people, the word “housekeeping” calls to mind cleaning floors and surfaces, removing dust and organizing clutter.

But in a work setting, it means much more. Housekeeping is crucial to safe workplaces. It can help prevent injuries and improve productivity and morale, as well as make a good first impression on visitors.

Upcoming Training Opportunties

See all training opportunities here

This week in pictures

Pictured at the Governor's Local Issues Conference in Louisville are Bracken County Magistrate Craig Miller, Mason County Judge/Executive Owen McNeill, Mason County Commissioner Chris O'Hearn and Whitley County Judge/Executive Pat White.

Lewis County Magistrate Mark Horsley and KACo Staff Attorney Rich Ornstein at the Governor's Local Issues Conference in Louisville.

Gov. Andy Beshear speaks to audience members Thursday at the Governor's Local Issues Conference in Louisville.

With several districts opening up their school doors this week and in the days ahead, we want to recognize the valuable SROs in school buildings. Pictured here are the Warren County SROs.

Franklin County SRO Dan McCoy works at Bondurant Middle School. He's pictured here with school administrators.

Mason County Attorney John Estill has been appointed to temporarily serve as special commonwealth’s attorney for the 19th Judicial Circuit in Bracken, Fleming and Mason counties.

Jessamine County Judge/Executive David West and his staff helped welcome new instructors to the local school district earlier this week.

McCracken County Court Security staff collected donations to stock the Oaklawn Baptist Church food pantry box with after-school snacks as the school year begins.

A mural created by Peyton Andrew Martin was recently finished in Floyd County. The mural honors the four Floyd County fallen heroes from June 30, 2022.

Martin Hatfield and the Pulaski County Attorney's Office donated backpacks full of school supplies for school children at the Bethany House Abuse Shelter.

Martin County Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty helped unveil the county's first ever Welcome to Martin County sign.

Daviess County Judge/Executive Charlie Castlen proclaimed Aug. 15, 2024, as Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph Day. The Sisters are celebrating 150 years since their arrival at Maple Mount on Aug. 15, 1874. Since that time, they’ve brought education to thousands of children throughout Daviess County, opening schools and bringing higher education opportunities to women.

Kentucky was proud to take the national stage in hosting the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) for its 2024 Legislative Summit in Jefferson County this week. With thousands of delegates from all 50 states, the conference also meant a significant economic boost for the area, with an estimated $4.8 million in economic activity. 

Oldham County Judge/Executive David Voegele was a featured panelist Monday at NCSL’s 2024 Legislative Summit during a session about local, state and federal broadband initiatives. 

Jefferson County Circuit Court Clerk David Nicholson and Oldham County Magistrate Michael Logsdon listen to the panel discussion at NCSL.