KACo Board holds strategic planning session in Harlan County | | |
KACo President and Harlan County Judge/Executive Dan Mosley welcomed the KACo Board of Directors this week to the historic Benham Schoolhouse Inn.
As part of the annual strategic planning session, board members engaged in an in-depth discussion about the county jail system—a long-standing legislative priority for counties. The meeting included a 50-year overview of Kentucky’s county jails, covering trends in inmate populations, funding and operational costs, and the impacts of jail closures and regionalization efforts.
As we look ahead to the 2026 General Assembly, KACo’s government affairs team will continue working closely with the Board and our members to pursue practical, effective solutions that support counties and strengthen public safety across the Commonwealth.
| | | | Local Government committee to meet June 24 | |
The Interim Joint Committee on Local Government will have its first meeting of the interim session at 9 a.m. ET Tuesday, June 24, at the Capitol Annex.
KACo has been invited by committee co-chair Sen. Mike Nemes to present to legislators regarding current revenue options available to fiscal courts. Other topics on the meeting agenda include: area development districts, disposition of human remains by coroners and a land records update from county clerks.
The Legislative Research Commission live-streams committee meetings on the LRC YouTube channel.
| | | | Kentucky surpasses $1 billion in opioid settlements with new agreement | |
Kentucky will receive an additional $73.1 million from Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family as part of a nationwide settlement over their role in fueling the opioid epidemic, Attorney General Russell Coleman announced this week.
Local governments nationwide will now be asked to join the settlement, which is still subject to final approval in bankruptcy court.
Counties and cities are required to report how they allocate opioid settlement funds. To support counties as they prepare for new reporting requirements, KACo will host a training for county officials on Tuesday, June 24, previewing the Attorney General’s new local government opioid settlement reporting portal.
| | | | State gas tax to decrease by 1.4 cents | |
Drivers in Kentucky will soon be paying less tax at the gas pump, and while the savings will be relatively small on an individual basis, a state lawmaker says there will be big consequences on county road funding.
When the new fiscal year starts on July 1, 2025, Kentucky’s total gasoline taxes and fees will drop 1.4 cents per gallon.
Speaking to county officials at the KCJEA/KMCA Joint Summer Conference, Rep. John Blanton said the drop in the tax rate equates to millions of dollars in lost revenue.
| | | | When every second counts: Communicating in a crisis | |
When disaster strikes, communication can save lives. That’s why clear, timely, and accessible messaging is not just important, it is critical.
Join KACo June 26, at 11 a.m. ET for a free webinar tailored for county leaders, emergency managers and communicators.
| | | | Check out the latest headlines from across Kentucky |
- Fiscal Court approves contract shifting oversight of SROs from sheriff’s department to the county
- Byrd pitches sports complex study to Barren County
- Campbell County dispatch center to relocate out of Newport
- Henderson judge/executive clears the air on wind turbine project
- FCC Commissioner visits Letcher County to talk First Amendment rights
- Hosp named new EMS director in Anderson County
- Lebanon, Marion County rescue squads to merge
- Carter County Fiscal Court discusses fire coverage
- Warren County still waiting for federal assistance
| | | | Keeping your community informed: crisis communication in a disaster | When disaster strikes, clear and timely information can save lives. This session gives county leaders a practical overview of how crisis communication works—and why it matters. You’ll learn the public information officer’s (PIO) role, how and when to deliver key messages and why preparation is essential. We’ll also discuss what happens when communication fails—and how having a well-trained PIO can make all the difference. | |
Date: June 26, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. - noon ET
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
| | | | Senate Bill 63: What counties need to know about street-legal special purpose vehicles | Senate Bill 63, passed during the 2025 Regular Session, gives counties and cities the authority to adopt an ordinance and allow street-legal special purpose vehicles on highways within their jurisdictional boundaries. The new law takes effect June 27. KACo’s webinar will cover the key provisions of SB 63, including the legislative intent, requirements for street-legal special purpose vehicles, registration process, local government authority, safety and inspection standards, and how the law interacts with farm exemptions. | |
Date: July 9, 2025
Time: 2-3 p.m. ET
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
| | | | Get prepared for the new opioid reporting system for local governments | KACo is offering two virtual training opportunities on the new local government opioid settlement reporting portal that will launch on July 1, 2025. | |
Your County’s Role in Opioid Reporting: Key Info & First Steps
Date: June 24, 2025
Time: 2 - 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
While the portal is still in development, this session will provide an overview of what to expect as counties prepare for upcoming reporting requirements.
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Opioid Reporting Guidance for Local Governments
Date: July 22, 2025
Time: 2 - 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Representatives from the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission will cover portal navigation, reporting requirements and best practices to support a smooth transition.
| | | | 2025 Wrap VR System – Train the Trainer (makeup class) | A new virtual reality training system called the WRAP system is now available for sheriffs and jailers. Any department requesting to utilize the WRAP system must send at least one trainer to a mandatory training class at KACo. This one-day training will include WRAP operation overview, safety, legal review, knowledge base and tactics, scenario review, scenario coaching and testing and documentation. | |
Date: July 23, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. ET
Location: KACo HQ, 400 Englewood Drive, Frankfort
Cost: Free
| | | | Advancing Local Solutions: Best Practices for Opioid Settlement Implementation | This one-day, in-person training is designed to support county leaders and stakeholders in maximizing the impact of opioid settlement funds through proven local strategies. The training includes an immersive visit and lunch at Recovery Café Frankfort to see community-based recovery in action. | |
Date: July 29, 2025
Time: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. ET
Location: KACo HQ, 400 Englewood Drive, Frankfort
Cost: $25 member/$35 non-member
| | KACo's Michael Ray presents a safety grant to Campbell County Fiscal Court team members Greg Fassler, business analyst, and Andrew Bezold, accountant. | | KACo's Steve Morrison presented a safety grant to Bullitt County Judge/Executive Jerry Summers and HR Director Janice DeWeese. | | Russell County received a safety grant from KACo. With the check are Jailer Bobby Dunbar and Judge/Executive Randy Marcum. | | Hardin County Coroner Pat Elmore receives a safety grant from KACo's Michael Ray. | | Barren County officials celebrated the recent ribbon cutting of the Barren County Development Center. | | Fleming County Sheriff Tim Smith escorted local students to the Kentucky Sheriffs' Association Boys and Girls Ranch in western Kentucky. | | Boone County's water rescue team recently participated in a multi-agency training alongside the U.S. Coast Guard. | | Mercer County Fire Department staff recently participated in ladder training exercises. | | Oldham County Judge/Executive David Voegele welcomed Bill Maclay as deputy director of Oldham County Emergency Management. | | Lyon County Fiscal Court welcomed student Sidney Brown, who served as honorary judge/executive at a recent fiscal court meeting. She earned the opportunity through a PTO fundraiser at her school. | | Montgomery County Sheriff David Charles chatted with Attorney General Russell Coleman at the local Chamber of Commerce breakfast. | | Commonwealth's Attorney Johnathan Gay has welcomed student intern Mason Miller to his office this summer as unofficial law enforcement liaison. | | Stronger Counties. Stronger Kentucky. | | | | |
