Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Kentucky Association of Counties held a Board of Directors' meeting at 1 p.m. (EDT) on Thursday, March 28, 2024. This meeting was held at the KACo offices located at 400 Englewood Drive in Frankfort, Kentucky and via video teleconference, in accordance with KRS 61.826 and KRS 65.312(3).

The roll was called. The following Directors participated in person: KACo President-elect Dan Mosley, Harlan Co. Judge/Executive; Jodi Albright, Laurel Co. Attorney; Scott Bates, Henry Co. Judge/Executive; Elbert Bennett, Caldwell Co. Magistrate; Amy Chandler, Warren Co. Attorney; Joe Pat Covington, Scott Co. Judge/Executive; Randy Dial, Casey Co. Judge/Executive; Chuck Dills, Grant Co. Judge/Executive; David Fields, Pendleton Co. Judge/Executive; Stevie Givens, Butler Co. Magistrate; Orbrey Gritton, Anderson Co. Judge/Executive; Bobby Hall, Greenup Co. Judge/Executive; Doug Hall, Floyd Co. Circuit Court Clerk; Steve Henry, Webster Co. Judge/Executive; John Hunt, Floyd Co. Sheriff; Michael Logsdon, Oldham Co. Magistrate; Craig Miller, Bracken Co. Magistrate; David Nicholson, Jefferson Co. Circuit Court Clerk; Adam O'Nan, Union Co. Judge/Executive; Berl Perdue, Clark Co. Sheriff; Rick Stiltner, Menifee Co. Judge/Executive; and Greg Terry, Carlisle Co. Judge/Executive.

The following Directors participated via video teleconference: Blake Chambers, Commonwealth's Attorney; Tabatha Clemons, Grant Co. Clerk; Jim Daley, Campbell Co. Jailer; Dan Ison, Shelby Co. Judge/Executive; Gary Moore, Boone Co. Judge/Executive; Jenny Oldham, Hardin Co. Attorney; David O'Neill, Fayette Co. PVA; Reagan Taylor, Madison Co. Judge/Executive; and John Ward, Hardin Co. Sheriff.

Others participating included: Jim Henderson, Executive Director/CEO; Temple Juett, Director of Insurance and Business; Karen Basham, Chief Financial Officer; Shellie Hampton, Director of Government Affairs; Jennifer Burnett, Director of Strategic Operations; Lonnie Campbell, Assistant Director of Financing Services; Kris Dunn, Associate Director of Insurance; Gracie Kelly, Associate Director of Government Affairs; Kayla Carter, Research Associate; Kelly Harding, HUB International/Peel and Holland; Brenna Angel, Associate Director of Communications; Susan Riddell, Editor; Rebecca Jackson, Graphic Designer; Marie Skinner, Accounting Manager; Katherine Porter, Accountant; Alyssa Rogers, Staff Accountant; Todd Ruckel, Executive Director, Kentucky County Judge/Executive Association; Barry Stilz, Lynn Zellen and Trey Yeager, Kinkead & Stilz, PLLC; Jesse Penn, Computer Support Specialist; Beth Pleasant, Administrative Specialist; and Sonya Chesser, Executive Assistant to CEO/Director of Administrative Services.

President-elect Mosley called the meeting to order at 1 p.m.

Judge Stiltner gave the invocation.

Judge Dills led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flags of the United States of America and Commonwealth of Kentucky.

President-elect Mosley recognized the following Champions of KACo's County Partner Program: Barry Stilz, Lynn Zellen and Trey Yeager of Kinkead and Stilz, PLLC.

Motion made by Greg Terry, seconded by Adam O'Nan, to approve the minutes of the March 1, 2024 meeting as presented. Motion carried.

Mr. Henderson, giving the executive director's report, said HB 596 passed the Senate yesterday with all members voting in support of the bill. He said the County Officials Legislative Reception was a huge success with more than 600 in attendance including 53 legislators and he thanked the ten affiliate associations for co-sponsoring the event with KACo on Feb. 21. KACo sponsored legislative lunches at the Capitol Annex on Jan. 3 and March 13 for all legislators, leadership and LRC staff. Mr. Henderson said the KACo board will hold its annual strategic work session June 20-21 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Scott County, the home county of President Livingston, and the NACo Annual Conference & Exposition will be held July 12-15 in Tampa (Hillsborough County), FL. He encouraged board members to let staff know if they planned to attend the NACo Conference by April 5 to receive early bird registration. Mr. Henderson said, while KACo does not try to make money from its annual conferences, he said income from the 2023 KACo Conference and Exposition stands at roughly $335,000 with expenses at approximately $331,000. He said the 2024 KACo Conference & Exposition will be held Nov. 13-15 at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville with room rates at $164 in the Rivue Tower and $184 in the Suite Tower and includes complimentary parking, a $5 rebate to KACo and other amenities. April is National County Government Month, and Mr. Henderson encouraged the board to share county stories and events for KACo staff to promote. He said KACo is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year and will be highlighted at the conference and social media platforms.

Ms. Hampton, providing a legislative report, said the House filed 838 bills and the Senate filed 382 for a total of 1,220 bills with 27 Senate bills and 33 House bills being sent to the Governor for his approval or veto. Sine die is April 15. She discussed the transportation budget bill, which is currently in conference committee; HB 13, as it relates to the Productive Development Initiative; HB 723, the second year of the GRANT funding providing matching funds for federal grants; Senate Joint Resolution 175, addressing the backlog of utility pole attachments for the deployment of broadband internet service to unserved and underserved areas; and several jail bills that are being lobbied. Ms. Hampton provided an update on a county clerk's elections bill, House Bill 53 "Check the Tech", which requires the Attorney General to randomly select at least one ballot scanner and one race tabulated on that scanner for a hand-to-eye recount, fulfills the requirement for a risk-limiting audit. She discussed the sheriffs association's work on HB 833 relating to fee increased for motor vehicle inspections. She thanked her staff and Mr. Henderson for their efforts during the legislative session.

Ms. Carter provided an update on HB 6, the Executive Branch budget, and the funding within the bill affecting local governments. The bill passed the Senate with bi-partisan support and will now to the Governor for his consideration. She also discussed HB 264, the Judicial House budget bill, and HB 1, a one-time appropriations bill, both are currently in conference committees.

Ms. Kelly provided an update on HB 5 Safer Kentucky Act, which is being sent to the Governor with the expectation to be vetoed; HB 509, an act relating to access to the records and meetings of public agencies and HB 418, an act relating to agricultural districts, which passed the House. Ms. Kelly thanked Ms. Hampton for her tireless work during the legislative session.

President-elect Mosley also recognized the outstanding job by KACo's contract lobbyists including Patrick Jennings and Collin Johnson with Commonwealth Alliances, Ellen Willliams, and Richie Sanders.

Mr. Juett, director of insurance and business, provided an update on the premium increases for the KACo All Lines Fund and Workers Compensation program members for the upcoming policy year. He said the increases are being driven by payroll and experience modification factors on the workers comp side. On the property and liability side, four catastrophic losses hit Kentucky counties within an 18-month period at a cost of $50 million. He said this type of loss is happening across the world with the reinsurance industry taking a huge hit not including inflation costs. Another cause driving increases are law enforcement and auto claim losses affecting, not only KACo, but insurance carriers nationwide.

Judge Gritton gave a shout-out to Mr. Juett for doing a phenomenal job overseeing the insurance and business program and Ms. Basham for overseeing financing.

Ms. Basham presented and discussed the financial statement as of Feb. 29, 2024. She also introduced Katherine Porter, KACo's new accountant replacing Teresa Yagel who retired at the end of February.

Motion made by Elbert Bennett, seconded by Randy Dial, to acknowledge receipt of the financial report as presented. Motion carried.

Mr. Henderson presented the FY 2024-25 membership dues for approval. He said staff recommends that the membership dues structure remain the same as FY 2023/24.

Motion made by Rick Stiltner, seconded by Joe Pat Covington, to approve having the FY 2024/25 KACo membership dues to remain the same. Motion carried.

President-elect Mosley asked for four volunteers and one alternate to serve on the Presidential Scholarship Committee for 2024 in addition to KACo 2nd Vice President Michael Logsdon who will serve as an ex officio member of the committee. He said applications are currently being accepted by high school seniors living in Scott County. Three students will each be awarded over $1,300, per year, renewable up to four years to attend an in-state college or university or a two-year technical college in the fall following graduation. In April, KACo staff will email scholarship committee members the students' applications and essays. The committee members will individually rank their first, second and third choices and will send their rankings back to KACo. There will be no personal interview of applicants. The President and any person from the president's county are excluded from serving on this committee.

The following agreed to serve on the Presidential Scholarship Committee: Judge Rick Stiltner, Circuit Court Clerk David Nicholson, Judge Orbrey Gritton, County Clerk Tabatha Clemons with Judge Scott Bates serving as the alternate.

President-elect Mosley requested approval to ratify memorial resolutions for former Fayette County Circuit Court Clerk Robert True; former Graves County Commissioner Charles Reeves; former Harrison County Magistrate William Fritz; former Magoffin County Sheriff Carson Montgomery; and former Rowan County Sheriff Jack Carter.

Motion made by Adam O'Nan, seconded by Chuck Dills, to ratify the memorial resolutions as presented. Motion carried.

President-elect Mosley requested approval to adopt memorial resolutions for former Bourbon County Magistrate Don Menke and former Kenton County Attorney John Elbers.

Motion made by Orbrey Gritton, seconded by Rick Stiltner, to adopt the memorial resolutions as presented. Motion carried.

President-elect Mosley requested a moment of silence in their memory.

Motion made by Bobby Hall, seconded by Orbrey Gritton, to adjourn the meeting at 2:08 p.m. Motion carried.