Nov. 27, 2024

Slides and video available from KACo conference

Want to review some of your favorite presentations from the 50th Annual KACo Conference & Exposition?

Our conference page has links to presentation slides, speaker videos and photos. Thanks to all who attended and made this our best conference yet!

Reminder: Changes to overtime rules struck down in District Court ruling

On Nov. 15, 2024, the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Texas struck down the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) 2024 regulation, which would have significantly increased the minimum salary required for certain employees to be exempt from overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). This nationwide ruling means that the minimum salary requirements will remain at the levels set by the 2019 rule: $684 per week, or $35,568 annually.

Opioid Abatement Commission grant application opens next week

The Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission has announced that the application period for 2025 grants from the state's portion of opioid settlement funds will open Dec. 2, 2024, and close at 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. Counties are eligible to apply. KACo will host an informational webinar on this topic on Dec. 5 at 2 p.m. ET.

County stats: rural and urban population breakdown

According to the 2020 Decennial Census, 93 of Kentucky's counties are predominantly (more than 50%) rural. Rural is defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as territories not included within an urban area, which are territories encompassing at least 2,000 housing units or having a population of at least 5,000.

While the majority of Kentucky’s total population lives in urban areas, 54 counties are classified as entirely rural, with no designated urban areas within their boundaries.

Important reminders as cold weather season looms

Working outdoors already involves many hazards. Add cold temperatures during the winter months, and the number of risks grows.

Cold stress injuries and illnesses can occur when a person’s skin temperature (and, eventually, their internal body temperature) falls and their body can no longer maintain a normal temperature.

This week in pictures

Muhlenberg County Judge/Executive Mack McGehee, Happy Malone and Muhlenberg County Tourism Commission Director Misty Stanley honored Cruz Melton, a student at Greenville Elementary School, who was the 2nd grade winner in the I Love My KY County Art Contest.

Lincoln County Judge/Executive Woods Adams met with the Lincoln County Lifeline team to sign a proclamation declaring November National Care at Home Month, encouraging residents to increase their understanding and awareness of home hospice and palliative care.

Fleming County Sheriff Tim Smith completed the National Sheriffs’ Institute Leadership Development Course at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. Sheriffs from across the U.S. explored topics like leadership, executive team development, community engagement and more.

The Scott County Sheriff's Office welcomed two new staff members, Deputy Joseph Breeding and Corey Calloway. Pictured with them are Sheriff Jeremy Nettles and Scott County Judge/Executive Joe Pat Covington. 

KACo Law Enforcement Liaison Phil Crumpton visited a Webster County Fiscal Court meeting earlier this week.

KACo's Phil Crumpton also made a visit to the Union County Fiscal Court meeting this week. Pictured are Jim Ricketts, Rick Wyatt, Jerri Floyd, Crumpton, Dakota Jones, Judge/Executive Adam O'Nan and Bo Girten.

Cumberland County Judge/Executive Luke King met with staff members from Hospice of Lake Cumberland for a proclamation signing recognizing November as Hospice and Palliative Care Month.

Four new Warren County Sheriff’s Office employees were sworn in by Judge/Executive Doug Gorman including Rolando Ramos, Norman Simpson, Herbert Kilpatrick and Dragana Kandic. With them is Sheriff Brett Hightower. 

Warren County Judge/Executive Doug Gorman helped celebrate the official start of ice skating season in Bowling Green at the SoKY Ice Rink.