| | State gas tax to decrease by 1.4 cents | |
Drivers in Kentucky will soon be paying less tax at the gas pump, and while the savings will be relatively small on an individual basis, a state lawmaker says there will be big consequences on county road funding.
When the new fiscal year starts on July 1, 2025, Kentucky’s total gasoline taxes and fees will drop 1.4 cents per gallon.
Speaking to county officials at the KCJEA/KMCA Joint Summer Conference this week, Rep. John Blanton said the drop in the tax rate equates to millions of dollars in lost revenue.
| | | | Application period opens for Local Assistance Road Program | |
Counties can apply for the Local Assistance Road Program (LARP), a funding program from the state to rehabilitate county and city roads.
LARP was established during the 2025 legislative session and replaces the County Priority Projects Program.
| | | | When every second counts: Communicating in crisis | |
When disaster strikes, communication can save lives. That’s why clear, timely, and accessible messaging is not just important, it is critical.
Join KACo June 26 at 11 a.m. for a free webinar tailored for county leaders, emergency managers and communicators.
| | | | Ninety counties are StormReady certified - is yours among them? | |
As of this month, 90+ counties across the commonwealth are StormReady, a national standard of weather preparedness certified by the National Weather Service.
KACo – a Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador and Storm Ready Supporter – is working with NWS to help Kentucky become certified in all 120 counties.
| | | | Virtual training offered for jailers and staff | On Sept. 9, 2025, from 11 a.m. – noon ET, join Tate McCotter, Executive Director of the National Institute for Jail Operations (NIJO), and Josh Arnold, NIJO’s Director of Operations, for a highly practical virtual training session focused on minimizing inmate deaths. This training is offered through County Reinsurance Limited (CRL) and is available for KACo-insured jail and detention center staff. Register here. | | | | Check out the latest headlines from across Kentucky | |
A county clerk says scammers are targeting property deeds, Kenton County passes a budget with funding for a transformational park project, more counties pass ordinances for special purpose vehicles, potential Medicaid cuts have some federal lawmakers sounding the alarm for rural hospitals, and more.
This week's roundup of local news includes stories from Bell, Bullitt, Carroll, Christian, Henderson, Kenton, Laurel, Pulaski, Marion, and Union counties.
| | | | Keeping your community informed: crisis communication in a disaster | When disaster strikes, clear and timely information can save lives. This session gives county leaders a practical overview of how crisis communication works—and why it matters. You’ll learn the public information officer’s (PIO) role, how and when to deliver key messages and why preparation is essential. We’ll also discuss what happens when communication fails—and how having a well-trained PIO can make all the difference. | |
Date: June 26, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. - noon ET
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
| | | | Senate Bill 63: What counties need to know about street-legal special purpose vehicles | Senate Bill 63, passed during the 2025 Regular Session, gives counties and cities the authority to adopt an ordinance and allow street-legal special purpose vehicles on highways within their jurisdictional boundaries. The new law takes effect June 27. KACo’s webinar will cover the key provisions of SB 63, including the legislative intent, requirements for street-legal special purpose vehicles, registration process, local government authority, safety and inspection standards, and how the law interacts with farm exemptions. | |
Date: July 9, 2025
Time: 2-3 p.m. ET
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
| | | | Get prepared for the new opioid reporting system for local governments | KACo is offering two virtual training opportunities on the new local government opioid settlement reporting portal that will launch on July 1, 2025. | |
Your County’s Role in Opioid Reporting: Key Info & First Steps
Date: June 24, 2025
Time: 2 - 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
While the portal is still in development, this session will provide an overview of what to expect as counties prepare for upcoming reporting requirements.
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Opioid Reporting Guidance for Local Governments
Date: July 22, 2025
Time: 2 - 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Representatives from the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission will cover portal navigation, reporting requirements and best practices to support a smooth transition.
| | | | 2025 Wrap VR System – Train the Trainer (makeup class) | A new virtual reality training system called the WRAP system is now available for sheriffs and jailers. Any department requesting to utilize the WRAP system must send at least one trainer to a mandatory training class at KACo. This one-day training will include WRAP operation overview, safety, legal review, knowledge base and tactics, scenario review, scenario coaching and testing and documentation. | |
Date: July 23, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. ET
Location: KACo HQ, 400 Englewood Drive, Frankfort
Cost: Free
| | | | 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
| | Laurel County fiscal court officials displayed 11 Class A pumper fire trucks for use by the county's volunteer fire department. | | Grayson County Jailer Jason Woosley was named Jailer of the Year at the Kentucky Jailers Association summer conference. | | The Hopkins County Sheriff's Office sent children to the annual boys and girls summer camp. | | Kim Webb, CEO of the Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky, spoke at the Campbell County Fiscal Court meeting this week. | | Hardin County Clerk Brian D. Smith spoke to the Heart of Kentucky Realtors this week. | | Boyle County officials were on hand as the local partners particiated in a bus accident response simulation. | | Attorney General Russell Coleman speaks to jailers and other officials at the Kentucky Jailers Association summer conference. | | Hardin County officials held a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new walking and running trail at the BHH pavilion. | | Madison County Judge/Executive Reagan Taylor and the Madison County Fiscal Court proclaimed the week of June 14, 2025, as National Flag Week. | | Calloway County road department staff participated in a refresher course with EMC staff, focusing on the operation of the county’s total patching machine. | | KACo's Michael Ray presented a safety grant to Menifee County EMS. With Ray from left are EMTs Felicia Havens, Caleb Crouch, Barry Williams and paramedic Tyler Stegeman. | | Meade County E-911 Assistant Director Vicky Reesor and Jeffrey Cox, Director of Meade County Emergency Management, receive a safety grant check from KACo's Michael Ray. | | Jessamine County Jailer Jon Sallee and Chief Deputy Dru Parsons attended the Kentucky Jailers Association Summer Conference. | | Trigg County Jailer James Hughes with Jail Consultant Tracey Reed at the jailers conference. | | Property valuation administrators Bobby Upchurch of Wayne County (left) and Joe Blue of Hopkins County picked up some KACo swag at the Kentucky PVA's Association summer conference. | | Judge/executives Doug Gorman of Warren County (left) and Reagan Taylor of Madison County at the KCJEA/KMCA joint summer conference. | | Greenup County was awarded a KACo safety grant that help fund lifting devices for EMS employees. KACo's Michael Ray presented the grant to Judge/Executive Bobby Hall and Commissioners Earnie Duty, Derrick Bradley and Lee Wireman. | | Bullitt County Judge/Executive Jerry Summers spoke with Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman at the KCJEA/KMCA joint summer conference. | | KACo policy analyst Kayla Carter Smith with Barren County Judge/Executive Jamie Bewley Byrd. | | Perry County Judge/Executive Scott Alexander led a panel discussion on managing severe weather emergencies and other disasters. | | Breckinridge County Judge/Executive Maurice Lucas listened to a presentation at the KCJEA/KMCA joint summer conference. | | Stronger Counties. Stronger Kentucky. | | | | |
