July 25, 2025

Federal public assistance approved for counties affected by spring severe weather

Kentucky's application for federal Public Assistance was approved for 64 counties affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, flooding, landslides and mudslides on April 2, 2025, and 36 counties affected by severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes on May 16-17, 2025.

NACo briefing next week: FEMA Act Introduction

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair Sam Graves (R-Mo.) and Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) have formally introduced the bipartisan Fixing Emergency Management for Americans (FEMA) Act (H.R.4669). 

NACo will be hosting a national membership call next Tuesday, July 29 at 2:30 p.m. ET to delve into the bill and the potential impacts for counties. 

Navigating the Local Assistance Road Program

KACo recently hosted a webinar on the newly established Local Assistance Road Program (LARP) which replaced the County Priority Projects Program (CPPP).

During the session, attendees received a comprehensive overview of LARP, including a live demonstration of the updated application process. You can watch a recording of the webinar at the link below. 

The state of county bridges in Kentucky

Counties own and maintain more than 5,000 bridges in Kentucky, making up 35% of all the bridges in the state, according to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) National Bridge Inventory.

As of 2025, 468 county-owned bridges in Kentucky were in poor condition, making up nine percent of county bridges. Most county-owned bridges (60%) were classified in fair condition while only 31% were classified in good condition.

Webinar recap: Opioid settlement fund reporting portal

Counties and local governments across Kentucky have updated guidelines for fulfilling their opioid settlement reporting obligations and a newly launched online portal managed by the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission. 

During a July 22, 2025 informational webinar hosted by KACo, the Commission provided a detailed walkthrough of the portal and requirements for the FY2025 report. Local governments in Kentucky must submit their reports through the portal by Aug. 31, 2025.

Check out the latest headlines from across Kentucky

• Harlan County Fiscal Court hears disaster update
• Jailer: Inmates provided $1.5 million in services to community last year
• Logan County discusses proposed park amid public concerns
• Car crashes into Nelson County courthouse
• Henderson County officials implement one-year moratorium on controversial wind farm proposal
• Kim Davis again asks Supreme Court to hear her case
• Wild horses of Breathitt County: Tourism boon or nuisances that must go?
• Christian County surpluses old treasurer's building
• Floyd County animal shelter breaks ground on new facility
• Metals processor moving headquarters to Simpson County

Training Opportunities

Advancing local solutions: Best practices for opioid settlement implementation

This one-day, in-person training is designed to support county leaders and stakeholders in maximizing the impact of opioid settlement funds through proven local strategies. The training includes an immersive visit and lunch at Recovery Café Frankfort to see community-based recovery in action. 

Date: July 29, 2025

Time: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. ET

Location: KACo HQ, 400 Englewood Drive, Frankfort

Cost: $25 member/$35 non-member

Ethics, open records and open meetings for county officials

Join KACo staff attorney Rich Ornstein for a practical and informative half-day training focused on the ethical and legal responsibilities of county officials. This session will cover the core principles of local government ethics codes, compliance with Kentucky’s Open Records and Open Meetings Acts, and best practices for maintaining transparency and accountability in local government.

Date: Aug. 5, 2025

Time: 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. ET

Location: KACo HQ, 400 Englewood Drive, Frankfort

Cost: $30 member/$45 non-member

Date: Sept. 23, 2025

Time: 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. CT

Location: Green River Area Development District, Owensboro

Cost: $30 member/$45 non-member

KACo Cybersecurity Series for County Officials

This three-part webinar series is designed to empower county leaders with the knowledge and tools needed to address cybersecurity concerns. Designed for people without a technical background, the series will review the core concepts of cybersecurity, highlight real-world threats, offer practical guidance and provide a roadmap for implementing a long-term defense strategy for your county. 

Foundations of Cybersecurity: Understanding the Threat

We’ll explore why cybersecurity is a critical issue for counties, who the threat actors are, and how real-world breaches have impacted local governments.

Date: Aug. 26, 2025

Time: 2 - 3 p.m. ET

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free

What Every County Leader Should Be Asking About Cybersecurity

You’ll learn how to evaluate whether your county is making smart investments, who is accountable for cybersecurity, and how to ensure your team is leveraging available state and federal grant programs.

Date: Sept. 18, 2025

Time: 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. ET

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free

Leading the Way: Building a Mature Cybersecurity Program

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.

Date: Oct. 21, 2025

Time: 2 - 3 p.m. ET

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free

This week in pictures

KACo staff were in Henry County this week for the fourth stop on the 2025 KACo Listening Tour.

Listening Tour attendees engaged in conversation with Oldham County Jailer Jeff Tindall.

During a meeting hosted by the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission, KACo opioid settlement advisor Lauren Carr spoke about the importance of advisory committees in helping guide local decision-making.

The Pennyrile Area Development District installed new officers to its Board of Directors including Todd County Judge/Executive Todd Mansfield as chair, Caldwell County Judge/Executive Kota Young as vice chair; Madisonville Mayor Kevin Cotton as secretary; and Lyon County Attorney Lee Wilson as treasurer.

Local leaders in Floyd County and state officials broke ground on New Hope Estates. The new neighborhood will have 34 homes for Eastern Kentucky flood survivors. 

KACo's Phil Crumpton led a WRAP virtual reality training session at KACo Headquarters this week.

Scott County Clerk's Office staff members practiced during an orientation for their motor vehicle branch office, including a tutorial on how to operate a new drive-thru feature.

Shelby County Judge/Executive Dan Ison stopped by Stargazer Plaza for a refreshing glass of lemonade to support a local outreach ministry that was raising funds for a new building project.

Allen County Judge/Executive Dennis Harper presented at the Allen County Historical Society. Harper discussed the upcoming initiative in Scottsville that features banners honoring local veterans from Allen County. Each banner will display the name and image of a veteran and be hung from light posts. 

Oldham County Emergency Management team members recently hosted an information booth for the annual Oldham County Day celebration.

LaRue County hosted a Kentucky Brotherhood Ride as members ride across the state honoring first responders who have fallen in the line of duty. This stop at the courthouse honored Deputy Nick Green.

The Henderson Chamber of Commerce hosted the Henderson State of the City and County Address, where Judge/Executive Brad Schneider and Mayor Brad Staton shared updates on key projects across the community.