Last two days of legislative session + opioid settlement payment

April 12, 2024

Veto period sees many bills sent back to legislature

Lawmakers returned to the Capitol Friday for the last two days of session following the veto recess.

As of April 12, Gov. Andy Beshear has vetoed 27 measures – six Senate bills, 20 House bills and one House resolution.

The Republican supermajority will likely override Beshear's vetoes on priority bills and pass bills still remaining in the final days. All work must be completed by midnight on Monday, April 15 before lawmakers adjourn the 2024 Regular Session.

Learn more here

Counties, cities to receive opioid settlement payment this month

Local governments can expect to see another deposit this month to their opioid settlement account. Payments totaling $3.3 million from the national Distributor Settlement Agreement will be made to participating Kentucky counties and cities on April 15, 2024.

Click the article to learn more about your county's allocation.

Learn more here

Ask Rich: Properly replying to open records requests

In the latest issue of County Line magazine, Staff Attorney Rich Ornstein offers recommendations for responding correctly to open records requests.

Read the latest Ask Rich article and then let him know if there's a topic you would like for him to address in an upcoming issue of County Line.

Learn more here

Distracted Driving Awareness Month continues in April

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and all month the Safety and Loss Control Department will be highlighting resources you can use to promote driving best practices with your staff members.

Go to the link provided to check out a video discussing the myth behind multitasking along with resources from the National Safety Council on understanding driver distraction.

Learn more here

Officials are telling the county story this month as National County Government Month continues. Boone County has articles available explaining what county government does for its residents and more.

Shelby County has been featuring county personnel throughout the month like Isaac Hughes, who is Shelby County's building inspector.

Jefferson County has shared NACo information as well as information about circuit court clerks and their role in our counties.

Upcoming Training Opportunties

KACo Leadership Institute: Opioid Settlement Funds - Best Practices

Date: April 18, 2024

Time: 2-3 p.m. EDT

Location: Virtual

Cost: FREE

Learn more about the opioid settlement funds and best practices on how to spend these funds using examples from other counties in both Kentucky and other states.

Speaker: Lauren Carr, KACo Opioid Settlement Advisor

KACo Leadership Institute: Disaster Prep Series

May 9, 2024

Where insurance coverage ends and FEMA begins

11 a.m. – noon, EDT (virtual)

June 6, 2024

Road repairs part 1

11 a.m. – noon, EDT (virtual)

July 11, 2024

Road repairs part 2

11 a.m. – noon, EDT (virtual)

Aug. 15-16, 2024

Applicant agent workshop

In-person, KACo HQ, 400 Englewood Drive, Frankfort

KACo Leadership Institute: Sexual Harassment Training

Date: May 28, 2024

Time: 2-3 p.m. EDT

Location: Virtual

Cost: FREE

This class will cover the laws and regulations that define sexual harassment, the reporting duties and consequences for failing to do so and offer suggestions to best implement anti-harassment policies in the workplace. Participants will learn ways to prevent and discourage sexual harassment and how to promote a safe and respectful workplace. Eligible for 1 hour of training credit.

KACo Leadership Institute: 2024 Planning and zoning in Kentucky

Date: May 29, 2024

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

Location: KACo HQ, 400 Englewood Dr., Frankfort

Cost: $80 (members); $120 (non-members)

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.

See all training opportunities here

This week in pictures

Staff members in the Marshall County Clerk's Office enjoy Monday's eclipse.

Boyle County officials watch the eclipse Monday.

Warren County Sheriff Brett Hightower was ready for the eclipse.

Shelby County officials posed for an eclipse photo to promote eyewear safety prior to the eclipse.

Staff members from the Lyon County Sheriff's and treasurer offices watch the eclipse with glasses and sodas provided by a local bank and the local library.

The Hopkins County Clerk's Office staff watched the eclipse together.

In recognition of their heroism, Boyd County Deputy Jailer Jeff Lemaster and four inmates were honored with the WSAZ News Channel 3 Hometown Hero Award after rescuing a woman trapped in an overturned trailer following a tornado on April 2. The woman was freed from the trailer and sent to the hospital for medical attention.

The Madison County Fiscal Court recognized the county's 911 team in honor of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.

The Kentucky Autism Training Center recently hosted a session on Autism and the First Responder to help train emergency officials on understanding and quickly identifying those with autism during emergency situations.

Stronger Counties. Stronger Kentucky.