May 2, 2025

KACo Member Briefing: 2025 Legislative Session in Review

Date: May 8, 2025

Time: 2 - 3 p.m. 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.

Kentucky's 2024 overdose fatality report released

Gov. Andy Beshear announced that overdose deaths in the Commonwealth decreased for the third year in a row, with a 30.2% decrease in 2024 compared to the previous year.

KACo data brief: Insurance premium taxes

Counties can levy insurance premium taxes on the following categories: automobile, fire and allied perils, casualty/liability, inland marine, life, health and all other risks. As of FY 2026, 50 counties levy the tax on at least one category. In FY 2023, counties – excluding Jefferson and Fayette – collected a total of $76.6 million in insurance premium tax revenue, making up 8.8 percent of total county tax revenue.

Governing magazine: NACo's Matt Chase weighs in on changes in Washington

Every day seems to bring new executive orders from the White House or announcements about federal staffing or spending cuts. Congress is considering cuts in domestic spending through the budget reconciliation process.

All of this concerns state and local governments that are heavily reliant on federal aid.

Matt Chase, executive director of the National Association of Counties, is telling county leaders to be patient, to wait and see how various program areas will or will not be reshaped once Congress weighs in.

Counties lead the way: webinar to spotlight innovative opioid treatment approaches

As communities across Kentucky work to address the opioid crisis, one thing is clear: effective treatment saves lives - and local governments are stepping up in powerful ways.  



In highlighting this, KACo will host the next installment of its Opioid Solutions webinar series, focused on expanding access to treatment through local innovation on May 8, at 11 a.m. ET. 

Remembering Commonwealth's Attorney Michael Stacy

First Circuit Commonwealth's Attorney Michael Stacy (Ballard, Carlisle, Fulton and Hickman counties) was in a fatal car accident this week, passing away at the age of 68.

Stacy served his community as the Ballard County Attorney from 1994-2006, winning the Outstanding County Attorney award in 2000. He was later elected Commonwealth's Attorney and won the Outstanding Commonwealth’s Attorney award in 2011, becoming one of the few prosecutors ever to win both awards in their career.

Check out the latest headlines from across Kentucky

The Greenup-Boyd County Riverport Authority lands a big grant, two counties are moving forward with new senior centers, the Boyle County Sheriff's Office prevents an elderly woman from falling victim to a scam, friends and colleagues reflect on the life and service of Commonwealth's Attorney Mike Stacy, and more.

This week's roundup of local news includes stories from Ballard, Boyle, Calloway, Daviess, Greenup, Harlan, Mercer and Rowan counties.

Training Opportunities

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

Estill County is recognizing May as National Treatment Court Month. Pictured are Judge/Executive Donnie Watson and Jeff Voyles, project program coordinator for the Department of Specialty Courts.

Hardin County Sheriff John Ward swears in Daniel Hof, who has joined the sheriff’s office and will be serving in court security. 

Secretary of State Michael Adams visited Nelson County this week, talking to officials about their role in the voting process and how Kentucky takes election integrity very seriously.

May is Older Americans Month, and Magoffin County Judge/Executive Matt Wireman signed a proclamation in recognition of this at the senior center. This year’s theme is Flip the Script on Aging.

In recognition of Derby Week, North Park Elementary in Hardin County hosted derby festivities with school resource officer Sgt. Mark Gillingham serving as racetrack referee and cheerleader.

Franklin County officials participated in the groundbreaking for the new Elkhorn Elementary School, scheduled to open in August 2027. Pictured are Deputy Judge/Executive Jack Kennedy, Magistrate Kelly Dycus and school board member Chuck Fletcher. 

Approximately 40 community members and 10 local ministers gathered outside the Madison County Courthouse for the National Day of Prayer.

The Woodford County Fiscal Court recognized wrestling coach Harrison Courtney and the Woodford County High School wrestling team on an outstanding season, including state champions Isaac Johns and Lacey Gilbert.

Lyon County officials honored team members who are fighting against cancer. 

Warren County Sheriff Brett Hightower recognized Deputy Godfrey Hamisi, center, for his work with the U.S. Marshals Service and his assistance in helping to locate a missing juvenile. At left is Deputy Matt Edwards.

First graders from Spencer County Elementary visited the office of Circuit Court Clerk Becky Robinson this week.

The office of Commonwealth's Attorney Kori Beck Bumgarner, serving Warren and Edmonson counties, is recognizing National Child Abuse Awareness Month and supporting the Coalition to Prevent Child Abuse.