June 7, 2024

Interim legislative session underway in Frankfort

State lawmakers returned to the capital this week for the start of committee meetings during the interim legislative session, which runs June-December.

Legislators will hear updates from state government agencies and testimony from other stakeholders on topics that typically set the stage for the regular session in January.

Kentucky gas tax to drop effective July 1, 2024

Drivers in Kentucky will soon be paying less at the pump for the state’s gas tax, but that may mean less money available for repairing roads and bridges.  

When the new fiscal year starts on July 1, 2024, the gas tax will drop 2.3 cents per gallon, from 30.1 cents per gallon to 27.8 cents per gallon.

KACo hosting opioid settlement training June 27

Join us in Frankfort on June 27 at KACo headquarters for a full day of training on best practices for using opioid settlement funds, including presentations from the Opioid Abatement Commission, practicitioners, experts and county leaders.

Kentucky county population trends in 2023

From 2020-2023, 70 counties gained population, 49 counties lost population and one county (Casey) remained the same. 

• Six counties grew by more than 5 percent: Robertson, Allen, Lyon, Warren, Spencer and Garrard.
• In total numbers, Warren County added the greatest number of people (7,201) followed by Boone (4,028), Madison (3,742), Scott (2,637) and Bullitt (2,497).
• The population declined by more than 5 percent in three counties: Leslie, Breathitt and Harlan. In total numbers, Jefferson County population declined the most (-10,701) followed by Fayette (-2,473), Pike (2,468), Harlan (-1,430) and Floyd (-1,375).

Jailers elect new leadership - Hardin County Jailer Josh Lindblom named president

Hardin County Jailer Josh Lindblom is the new president of the Kentucky Jailers Association.

New officers were sworn in at the jailers conference this week. The newly installed officers are:

President – Josh Lindblom, Hardin County

Vice President – Eric Vaughn, Simpson County

Sergeant-at-arms – Roger Ford, Marshall County

Secretary – Anthony McCollum, Pulaski County

Treasurer – Benji Guill, Livingston County

Immediate Past President – Jim Daley, Campbell County

Upcoming Training Opportunties

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This week in pictures

Muhlenberg Judge/Executive Mack McGehee talks with Lyon County Judge/Executive Jaime Smith and Caldwell Circuit Court Clerk Christie Storm at this week's KACo Listening Tour stop at the Pennyrile Area Development District.

Calloway County Magistrate Paul Rister, Marshall County Judge/Executive Kevin Spraggs, Marshall County Commissioner Monti Collins, PADD Executive Director Jeremy Buchanan and Fulton County Judge/Executive Kenny Wilson at the Listening Tour session hosted at the Purchase Area Development District office.

Carlisle County Judge/Executive Greg Terry talks with KACo's Jim Henderson during a Listening Tour session in the Purchase Area Development District region.

Art Maglinger was named Jailer of the Year at the Kentucky Jailers Association Summer Conference. Maglinger, pictured with his family, is jailer in Daviess County. 

All 12 female jailers posed for a group photo at the Kentucky Jailers Association Summer Conference.

Henderson County Jailer Bruce Todd, left, Russell County Jailer Bobby Dunbar and KACo Executive Director Jim Henderson

KACo’s Shellie Hampton, Campbell County Jailer and KJA Immediate Past President Jim Daley, KJA Executive Director Renee McDaniel and KACo’s Rich Ornstein

Clark County Detention Center’s Harold Little, left, poses with Boyle County Jailer Brian Wofford and Clark County Jailer Frank Doyle.

Meade County Jailer J.J. Scarborough uses the WRAP VR training system during the jailers conference with help from KACo’s Phil Crumpton.

The Franklin County Fiscal Court and Gov. Andy Beshear announced the Paddocks of Frankfort, a $150 million project and the largest mixed-use development ever for Frankfort and Franklin County. With dozens of restaurant and retail offerings, the project is projected to create 1,732 construction jobs over the

three-year development period.

Judge/Executive Kevin Spraggs and Sheriff Matt Hilbrecht announced Marshall County’s first internet purchase exchange location. The designated area, under constant video surveillance, may be used by individuals buying or selling items online that need a safe place to meet to exchange purchased items.

KACo Opioid Settlement Advisor Lauren Carr presented today at the Kentucky Safety and Prevention Alignment Network training. Other presentations focused on connecting to resources, risk assessments, highway safety updates and more.