Dec. 5, 2025

Kentucky Senate GOP leader won’t push for tax cut after state misses budget triggers

The Republican supermajority caucus of the Kentucky Senate kicked off its annual planning retreat in Bardstown on Wednesday, highlighting their major policy goals for the upcoming 2026 legislative session that begins in January.

The top agenda item for the session is the passage of a state budget that will outline how to spend roughly $15 billion in General Fund tax revenue over each of the next two fiscal years.

Mansfield installed as 2026 KCJEA President

Congratulations to Todd County Judge/Executive Todd Mansfield, the newly installed President of the Kentucky County Judge/Executive Association.

Other 2026 KCJEA officers include:

• 1st Vice President Steve Henry, Webster County
• 2nd Vice President Harry Clark, Rowan County
• 3rd Vice President Orbrey Gritton, Anderson County
• Secretary Chuck Dills, Grant County
• Treasurer John Sims Jr., Fleming County
• Sergeant-at-Arms Trille Bottom, Boyle County
• Immediate Past President Pat White Jr., Whitley County

Rockcastle's Ford Allen is new KCCA President

Congratulations to Rockcastle County Clerk Danetta Ford Allen, who was sworn in this week as 2026 President of the Kentucky County Clerks Association.

Other 2026 KCCA officers include:



• 1st Vice President Jeff Hancock, Franklin County (not pictured)
• 2nd Vice President Brian Smith, Hardin County
• Secretary Chad Mattingly, Marion County (not pictured)
• Treasurer Jason Denny, Anderson County
• Immediate Past President Kevin Alexander, Edmonson County

Bruer re-elected PVA Association President

Carlisle County PVA Jonathan Bruer was re-elected President of the Kentucky PVA Association, which met this week in Owensboro for its annual conference on assessment administration.

Other PVA Association officers re-elected include:



• Executive Vice President Sean Curry, Green County
• Legislative Vice President Chad Shively, Taylor County
• Secretary Cindy Atwell, Hart County
• Treasurer Lacresha "My" Gibson, Boyle County

Stretching small opioid settlement allocations helps funding do more

Experts in substance use prevention, harm reduction and recovery advised counties last month with small opioid settlement allocations on best practices for leveraging funding across the continuum of care, at NACo’s Opioid Solutions Leadership Network peer exchange in Washington, D.C. 

Housing and disaster prevention task forces present final recommendations

As Kentucky heads into the 2026 legislative session, two major task forces have delivered final recommendations on issues that touch every community in the Commonwealth: housing and disaster resilience.

From easing the housing shortage to strengthening protections against floods, tornadoes and wildfires, the proposals released this month outline changes that could directly influence local governments and shape legislation in the year ahead.

Counties receive $6 million in awards to improve local bridges

More than $6 million for 12 critical bridge projects across nine Kentucky counties and one city will help Kentuckians get where they need to go quicker and more safely through repairs, replacements and re-openings of locally owned bridges.



This fifth round of awards funds 10 bridge replacements and two bridges that will be repaired or preserved to extend the life of existing structures. All 12 bridges are closed or currently posted with weight restrictions.

Counties in the news: The latest headlines from across Kentucky

• Hopkins County Fiscal Court approves $40K grant for addiction recovery center
• Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office seizes 110 pounds of drugs in single operation
• Parking ordinance being pushed in Daviess County
• Assistant Campbell County Attorney retires, honored by county
• Adair County Fiscal Court hears tourism update, election precinct change
• Trimble continues dialogue on sharing EMS director with Henry
• Couple funds mobile barricades for Woodford County public safety
• Acreage secured for industrial park
• Spencer Fiscal Court backs sanitation district's $6 million sewer funding request
• Jessamine County breaks ground on new judicial center

This Week in Photos

Operation PRIDE gave a token of its appreciation to the Warren County Fiscal Court and Jailer Stephen Harmon for their support of efforts to beautify Warren County.

KACo's Jim Henderson and Shellie Hampton met with Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts Allison Ball.

McCracken County Sheriff Ryan Norman spoke with about 500 freshmen at McCracken County High School. He was joined by County Attorney Cade Foster, Jailer Stephen Carter and MCHS teacher/retired Paducah police officer Mike Wentworth. 

Fleming County Judge/Executive John Sims presented a donation to Sheriff Tim Smith for the Shop with a Cop Program.

Lyon County Sheriff Brent White and his staff had great community support for their Cram the Cruiser initiative while collecting food and toys for the holiday season.

Oldham County Magistrate Michael Logsdon, Boone County Judge/Executive Gary Moore and Jefferson County Circuit Court Clerk David Nicholson are attending the NACo Board of Directors fall meeting in Wise County, Texas.

KACo's Rich Ornstein speaks to county clerks at their annual conference in Lexington.

Kentucky PVAs convened in Owensboro this week for their fall conference on assessment administration. Pictured are Andrew Powell (Henderson), Clay Wells (Union), Rachel Pence Foster (Daviess), Dale Ayer (McLean), and Jeffrey Kelley (Webster).

KACo Senior Relationship Officer Rick Stiltner had the honor of swearing in the KCJEA Board of Directors this week. With him are KCJEA President Todd Mansfield and Immediate Past President Pat White Jr.

State and local officials broke ground this week on a new judicial center in Jessamine County. Construction is expected to be completed in 2028.

The Grayson County Courthouse is decked out and looking beautiful for the holiday season.

The Gallatin County Courthouse also has pretty lighting while the county prepares for the holiday season.