Aug. 23, 2024

Public data breach: what you can do to stay safe

National Public Data (NPD), a background check company, recently confirmed a significant breach of personal data involving approximately 2.7 billion records.

The breach, involving a third-party hacker, occurred in late December 2023, with data leaks reported in April and summer 2024. It exposed Social Security numbers, emails, phone numbers, addresses and dates of birth.

Learn what steps you can take to stay safe or how to deal with identity theft. 

Check your county's StormReady status

StormReady is a national standard of weather preparedness certified by the National Weather Service (NWS). The free program is focused on establishing strong communication channels and information sharing between NWS, local officials and the public. 

As of August 2024, around 70 Kentucky counties are currently StormReady certified or are in the process of applying. KACo – a Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador and StormReady Supporter – is working with NWS to help Kentucky become certified in all 120 counties.

Safety committee toolkit

County governments can foster a culture of safety, regulatory compliance and risk management by establishing their own safety/claims review committee.

These internal working groups help keep employees safe, which also protects your budget and ensures government operations stay up and running.

Check out KACo's new safety committee toolkit and learn how to create or guide a committee in your own county.

State revenue remained strong in FY24 -benchmark met for lawmakers to lower income tax rate

Kentucky has met revenue conditions to lower the state income tax rate from 4% to 3.5%.

State Budget Director John Hicks presented the FY24 year-end budget report to the Interim Joint Committee on Appropriations and Revenue this week, highlighting that sufficient revenue was generated above FY23 totals to trigger a potential reduction in the tax rate.

Infrastructure funding, election integrity part of legislative discussion this week

Policy discussions and legislative updates joined the lineup at the Kentucky State Fair this week.

In between sampling deep-fried delicacies, browsing the Pride of the Counties displays and admiring the award-winning fair entries, state lawmakers held committee meetings Thursday at the Kentucky Exposition Center. 

2024 I Love My KY County Art Contest

Submissions for the 2024 I Love My KY County Art Contest are now being accepted! We invite all students from kindergarten through 8th grade to express their love for their Kentucky county through creative artwork.

The winning artworks will be proudly featured in the 2025 KACo calendar, and the top three artists will have the honor of being recognized at the 2024 KACo Conference.

The deadline for submissions is Sept. 30.

Upcoming Training Opportunties

See all training opportunities here

This week in pictures

The Perry County Clerk's Office dressed in pink earlier this week to honor Lucy, an elementary student who collapsed on her school playground opening day and later passed away. Lucy's family donated her organs and encouraged supporters to wear pink, her favorite color.

Campbell County Judge/Executive Steve Pendery led a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new high-speed park Wi-Fi network, a partnership between Campbell County and Altafiber. Commissioner Geoff Besecker joined them on stage to celebrate. 

Inmates have been busy giving away the sunflowers they’ve raised at the Graves County Jail and Restricted Custody Center.

Shelby County Deputy Judge/Executive Jon Park with KACo Executive Director Jim Henderson at the state fair. 

County Attorneys and Commonwealth's Attorneys received some well-deserved recognition this week, with four receiving awards. Kenton County Attorney Stacy Tapke was named a 2024 Outstanding County Attorney. She is pictured with Attorney General Russell Coleman.

Hardin County Attorney Jenny Oldham was named a 2024 Outstanding County Attorney at the Kentucky Prosecutors Conference.

Commonwealth’s Attorney for the 27th Circuit Jackie Steele was named a 2024 Outstanding Commonwealth's Attorney.

Commonwealth’s Attorney for the 54th Circuit Louis Kelly was named a 2024 Outstanding Commonwealth's Attorney.

Counties showed their flair and pride at the Kentucky State Fair this week. Pictured is Judge/Executive Phillip Baker at the Logan County booth.

Cumberland County booth at the State Fair

Meade County booth at the State Fair 

Clay County booth at the State Fair

Judge/Executive Dan Mosley with the Harlan County booth

Members of KACo leadership attended the Kentucky Farm Bureau’s Country Ham Breakfast, where the grand champion ham was auctioned for a record-breaking $10.5 million, with all proceeds going to charity.

Leader McConnell offered political analysis and remarks on international affairs, agricultural policy, the state of the economy and more before the auction.

We had terrific turnout and good discussion at our two KACo listening sessions this week, with stops in Shelby County for the KIPDA region and Casey County in the Lake Cumberland ADD region. 

Green County Judge/Executive John Frank, right, talks with Russell County Jailer Bobby Dunbar

Casey County Judge/Executive Randy Dial

KACo's Jim Henderson and Shellie Hampton with Circuit Court Clerks Wendy Graney of Shelby County, David L. Nicholson of Jefferson County, Paulita Keith of Bullitt County, KACCC President Margaret Forsee of Owen County, Jennifer Rankin of Henry County and David Martin of Boone County.

Casey County Magistrate Bart Woodrum

Russell County PVA Tim Popplewell and Taylor County PVA Chad Shively

Pendleton County Opioid Abatement Advisory Board members with KACo's Opioid Settlement Advisor Lauren Carr and Hannah Edelen of Kentucky Youth Advocates, following a presentation on best practices.

Lauren Carr met with Oldham County Judge/Executive David Voegele to discuss best practices for opioid settlement spending.

Oldham County Magistrate Michael Logsdon, and Darrell Bramer, Executive Director of Operation Parent, met with Lauren Carr to discuss an upcoming drug prevention event for Oldham County families.