April 11, 2025

Kroger settlement notifications going out April 14

In January, Attorney General Russell Coleman announced a settlement with the Kroger Company that will bring $110 million to the Commonwealth in support of efforts to combat the opioid crisis. As with previous opioid settlements, half of the funds from this settlement will be distributed to counties and eligible municipalities through a predetermined formula. 

On April 14, counties will receive a notice from the settlement administrator, BrownGreer, with detailed instructions on how to receive those funds and the amount your county will receive. This notice will trigger the 10-day review period for lodging any disputes concerning the calculations, which will end on April 24. Assuming all payment information has been correctly submitted or updated with BrownGreer, counties should expect funds for payment years 1 and 2 to begin arriving on April 30.

Ask Rich: The county budget process

Kentucky's best-run counties craft budgets that prioritize their needs. This installment of Ask Rich dives into the budget process including starting points, key collaborators and how to avoid roadblocks and get the most out of your budget.

Staff Attorney Rich Ornstein guides members through this important process.

Key ARPA reporting deadline and Treasury webinar

All counties must submit their American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Project and Expenditure Report through the U.S. Treasury portal by April 30, 2025.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury is offering a workshop series for all ARPA recipients. The next webinar will be offered on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at 2 p.m. ET.

OSH Training April 22-24 in Versailles

Register now to attend KYSAFE’s free, three-day training event April 22-24 in Versailles.

Seating is limited, so reserve your spot soon.

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Distracted driving has become a deadly epidemic on our roads.

Cell phone use — specifically, texting, talking and social media use — has become the most common distraction. Other risky actions include adjusting the radio or GPS, applying makeup, eating and drinking.

Remind residents about staying safe on playground equipment

As the weather warms up and trips to the park become frequent, take a moment to familiarize yourself with the risks on playgrounds and how you can prevent injuries.



According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, each year, more than 200,000 children go to U.S. hospital emergency departments with injuries associated with playground equipment.

Check out the latest headlines from across Kentucky

Recovery efforts from recent tornadoes and flooding continue to make headlines across the state while unaffected counties continue to help those in need as well as work on projects to benefit their residents.

This week's roundup of local news includes stories from Caldwell, Franklin, Graves, Marion, McCracken, Oldham, Pendleton, Perry and Trigg counties.

Training Opportunities

Emergency Preparedness Series: Telecommunications Emergency Response Teams

Date: April 24, 2025

Time: 11 a.m. - noon ET

Location: Virtual

Emergency action plans often overlook a critical component: mutual aid for 9-1-1 dispatch centers. All emergency communications flow through the 9-1-1 Center—but what happens when those very centers are overwhelmed or in crisis themselves? That’s where the Telecommunicator Emergency Response Taskforce (TERT) comes in.

KACo Member Briefing: 2025 Legislative Session in Review

Date: April 29, 2025

Time: 11 a.m. - noon ET

Location: Virtual

Join us for a review of the 2025 legislative session, focusing on key legislation that will impact Kentucky counties. KACo’s advocacy team will break down what passed, what didn’t, and what it all means for counties moving forward. Members will have the opportunity to ask questions and engage directly with the team.

KACo Member Leadership Insitute: Planning and Zoning

Date: May 21, 2025

Time: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. ET

Location: KACo HQ, Frankfort

Cost: $80.00 member/$120 non-member

Are you getting the most out of planning and zoning in your community? Explore some best practices that will enhance planning in your community and create an open, transparent environment ready to promote sound development. This interactive session will also discuss current planning news and topics from around the state (and beyond), how your community may be affected and possible solutions on how to deal with some of today's most pressing land use matters. Eligible for 8 hours of training credit.

Opioid Solutions Monthly Webinar Series

Throughout 2025, KACo is hosting a series of monthly webinars about the use of opioid settlement funds, including examples of innovative county programs and best practices.

This week in pictures

McCracken County Commissioner Bill Bartleman met The Weather Channel's Reynolds Wolf, who was at the Paducah Riverfront reporting on flooding.

Franklin County Judge/Executive Michael Mueller made sure he was up to date with a tetanus shot so he could be near the flood water while helping with cleanup.

McCracken County Judge/Executive Craig Clymer and emergency management officials survey the flood water damage around McCracken County and checked on individuals who weren’t able to evacuate. 

Owen County Fire Department Tanker 9960 crewmembers wash mud from roadways to get roads open after floodwaters receded. This is KY 355 at Severn Creek Bridge.

County clerks came together to help Franklin County Clerk Jeff Hancock move important records to higher ground before flood waters reached the clerk's office.

Grant County Clerk Tabatha Clemons documented the flood water as it reached the circuit court clerk's office in downtown Frankfort.



Marshall County Road Department staff is hard at work mending Powderhorn Drive following storm damage to the area.

Martin County emergency management personnel delivered water to those affected by the water outage in the Grassy and Buffalo Horn areas.

Madison County Judge/Executive Reagan Taylor, Richmond Mayor Robert Blythe and Berea Mayor Bruce Fraley jointly proclaimed April 13-19 as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in Madison County to recognize the invaluable work of our public safety telecommunicators.

Christian County Fiscal Court celebrated the Month of the Military Child with a proclamation signing by Judge/Executive Jerry Gilliam and the mayors of Hopkinsville and Oak Grove. Col. Christopher Midberry, Garrison Commander of Fort Campbell, joined them in the celebration.

The Jessamine County Detention Center hosted Leadership Jessamine County for Public Services Day where they learned about and visited all emergency services.

Lyon County Sheriff’s Office said goodbye to CSO Deputy Byron Jasis, a dedicated employee from 2020-25 who has accepted a full-time, supervisory position with the Department of Juvenile Justice.

The Shelby County Fiscal Court is celebrating April as National County Government Month by recognizing county employees, highlighting effective programs and raising public awareness about county government. Here, Shelby County recognized maintenance staff. 

The Boyd County Fiscal Court recognized the bravery of local first responders in its community by declaring April 8, 2025, as First Responders Day.

Daviess County Jailer Art Maglinger was invited to speak to the Green River Chapter of the Kentucky Public Retirees. He provided a presentation on the Daviess County Detention Center.