Oct. 17, 2025

Thank you for a great KACo Listening Tour!

Thank you to all our members who joined us this summer for KACo’s annual Listening Tour, which concluded Thursday in Union County.

Over the course of 15 sessions across the state, hundreds of county officials shared their ideas and perspectives. These conversations help guide KACo’s legislative priorities, training programs and services — and give us the opportunity to visit our members where they live and work. A special thanks to our host counties for their warm hospitality!

As always, KACo remains committed to serving those who serve their communities. Stronger counties. Stronger Kentucky.

Deer collisions cost counties millions of dollars - stay safe with these tips

Over a five year period, KACo insurance members submitted 673 claims for deer strikes, with claims totaling more than $4.2 million. Nearly 42% of those claims were submitted during the last three months of the year. 

The number of deer collisions dramatically increases October through December, which coincides with deer mating season and most of the deer hunting season in Kentucky.

KACo's Safety and Loss Control Department offers the following tips for avoiding deer collisions:

• Slow down
• Avoid distractions while driving
• Stay alert
• Observe deer crossing signs
• Turn on high beams while driving with headlights
• Don’t swerve if a crash is inevitable, and don’t veer off the road

2025 Cybersecurity Awareness Month Tip: Turn on multifactor authentication

Multifactor authentication (MFA) adds another layer of cybersecurity protection—think of it like securing your front door with both a deadbolt and a keypad lock. MFA is a simple, effective way to keep hackers out, even if they manage to get your password.

More than $118 million secured for Kentucky families impacted by flooding

Team Kentucky is sending over $118.2 million to six counties to buy out properties from willing and voluntary Kentuckians in flood-prone areas, Gov. Andy Beshear announced Wednesday. Local officials estimate these funds will benefit over 600 homeowners, helping them relocate to safer residences out of the floodplain.

Receiving funds are Floyd, Knott, Letcher, McLean, Perry and Pike counties. The funding is a response to floods earlier this year, which impacted all six counties. 

Get ready for the 2026 opioid abatement grant cycle

County officials and community stakeholders are encouraged to learn about an upcoming grant opportunity focused on recovery and opioid abatement. KACo is partnering with the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission to host a one-hour webinar on Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 11 a.m. ET to provide an overview of the Commission's 2026 grant cycle. 

Participants will hear directly from Commission staff about current funding priorities, the application process and key details for anyone planning to apply.

Deadline approaching for KACo Conference early bird rate

Don’t miss your chance to save on registration for the state's premier event for county officials! Early bird registration for the 51st Annual KACo Conference & Exposition ends Oct. 31.

Join county leaders from across Kentucky Nov. 12–14, 2025, at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville where you can connect, learn from expert speakers and explore innovative solutions in our expo hall. Secure your spot today and be part of the excitement!

The latest headlines from across Kentucky

• Carroll County to seek financing for major projects
• Kentucky county judge/executives, mayors, superintendents support Pre-K for All
• Knox County no exception to statewide jail funding issues
• Moratorium over wind turbines discussed at Henderson fiscal court meeting
• Barren County Fiscal Court signs agreement to improve agriculture infrastructure
• New ‘Music and Mud Festival’ launches in Whitley County 
• Meade County court upholds recommendation not to rezone 138-acre site for proposed data center

Training Opportunities

Leading the way: Building a mature cybersecurity program

Date: Oct. 21, 2025

Time: 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. ET

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free

As your county’s cybersecurity program matures, leadership plays a pivotal role in shaping its future. This session focuses on what strong cybersecurity looks like from the top down—how to move from reactive to resilient. We'll explore how to plan for long-term risk mitigation, implement a defense-in-depth strategy and align your cybersecurity roadmap with your county's broader mission. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of how to champion cybersecurity as a core part of your county’s mission and public trust.

Law Enforcement Vehicle Operations and Risk Reduction

This four-hour course provides law enforcement emergency vehicle operators with both classroom instruction and hands-on driving practice to reduce risk and improve safety. Training will focus on essential skills such as backing up, managing distractions, handling aggressive driving and operating safely during emergencies and pursuit situations. This course, open to sheriffs and deputy sheriffs, will be offered four times over two days in Ashland.

Oct. 21, 2025

9 a.m. – 1 p.m. ET

6 p.m. – 10 p.m. ET

Oct. 22, 2025

9 a.m. – 1 p.m. ET

6 p.m. – 10 p.m. ET

Preventing slips, trips and falls

Date: Oct. 23, 2025

Time: 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. ET

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free

Did you know that over the past five years, KACo members submitted more than 2,200 slip and fall insurance claims, costing more than $20 million? Simple measures can help keep everyone safe and insurance costs down. Join Zach Zimmerman from Kentucky OSHA as he covers general housekeeping rules for walking on working surfaces as well as fall protection on ladders, and stairs. He will also cover best practices for avoiding slips, trips, and falls and ensuring the workplace environment is set up to avoid these hazards.

This week in pictures

Union County Judge/Executive and KACo President-elect Adam O'Nan hosted the final session of the KACo Listening Tour at the Union County Senior Center.

KACo Senior Relationship Officer Rick Stiltner (left), Webster County Judge/Executive Steve Henry and Judge/Executive Adam O'Nan.

Union County Sheriff Jason Thomas (left) and County Clerk Garrick Thompson at the KACo Listening Tour.

Hickman County Judge/Executive Kenny Wilson (left) with KACo's Hollis Alexander and Rick Stiltner.

Calloway County Magistrate Paul Rister talks with McCracken County PVA Bill Dunn during the KACo Listening Tour session for the Purchase ADD region.

From left, Marshall County Commissioner Monti Collins, Judge/Executive Kevin Spraggs and Carlisle County PVA Jonathan Bruer at the Listening Tour session in Marshall County.

The Edmonson County Library hosted the KACo Listening Tour for the Barren River ADD region. Edmonson County Magistrate TJ Massey was also on baby duty!

Judge/executives Joe Choate of Hart County, Scott Lindsey of Edmonson County, Dennis Harper of Allen County and Magistrate Wendell Spears.

Butler County Magistrate Stevie Givens (left) Judge/Executive Tim Flener.

Christian County Magistrate Rich Liebe (left), Muhlenberg County Magistrate Darrin Benton, Caldwell County Magistrate Elbert Bennett and KACo's Kayla Smith.

KACo's Kayla Smith, Sydney Blodgett and Trigg County Judge/Executive Stan Humprhies at the KACo Listening Tour session for the Pennyrile ADD region.

Campbell County Judge/Executive Steve Pendery (right) spoke at the opening of the American Public Works Association Kentucky Chapter State Conference. He's pictured with chapter president Tyler Hill.

KACo jail consultant Tracey Reed spoke at the Kentucky Jailers Association Conference this week.

Jailers Stephen Carter (McCracken County), Kelli Elliott (Graves County) and Adam Smith (Christian County) at the KJA conference.

The Bullitt County Attorney's Office recognized Oct. 16 as National Domestic Violence Awareness Day.

Brandon Wilson and Judge/Executive David Daugherty from Marion County, KACo's Lauren Carr and Dallas Hurley from Volunteers of America Mid-States presented at the Kentucky Opioid Symposium.

Boyd County Administrator Justin Pruitt (left) and Commissioner Jeremy Holbrook with KACo's Lauren Carr at the Kentucky Opioid Symposium.

Fayette County Attorney's Office staff wore purple in support of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.