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The Kentucky Association of Counties held a special Board of Directors' meeting at 11 a.m. (ET) on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. This meeting was held via video teleconference, in accordance with KRS 61.823, 61.826 and KRS 65.312(3).
The roll was called. The following Directors were present: Dan Mosley, KACo President and Harlan Co. Judge/Executive; J. L. Albright, Laurel Co. Attorney; Kevin Alexander, Edmonson Co. Clerk; Scott Alexander, Perry Co. Judge/Executive; Scott Bates, Henry Co. Judge/Executive; Darrin Benton, Muhlenberg Co. Magistrate; Jonathan Bruer, Carlisle Co. PVA; Tabatha Clemons, Grant Co. Clerk; 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; Gary Ginn, Fayette Co. Coroner; Stevie Givens, Butler Co. Magistrate; Bobby Hall, Greenup Co. Judge/Executive; Rich Liebe, Christian Co. Magistrate; Josh Lindblom, Hardin Co. Jailer; Michael Logsdon, Oldham Co. Magistrate; Craig Miller, Bracken Co. Magistrate; Gary Moore, Boone Co. Judge/Executive; 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; Reagan Taylor, Madison Co. Judge/Executive; Greg Terry, Carlisle Co. Judge/Executive; and Pat White, Whitley Co. Judge/Executive.
Others participating included: Jim Henderson, Executive Director/CEO; Shellie Hampton, Director of Government Affairs; Kayla Smith, Policy Analyst; Tim Sturgill, General Counsel; Karen Basham, Chief Financial Officer; Jennifer Burnett, Director of Strategic Operations; Rich Ornstein, Attorney; Brenna Angel, Associate Director of Communications; Sydney Blodgett, Member Engagement Manager; Richie Sanders, KACo Lobbyist; Collin Johnson, Commonwealth Alliance/KACo Lobbyist; Marc Robbins, Executive Director, Kentucky County Attorney Association; Dustin Billings, Executive Director, Kentucky PVA Association; Beth Pleasant, Administrative Specialist; and Sonya Chesser, Executive Assistant to CEO/Director of Administrative Services.
President Mosley called the meeting to order at 11:04 a.m.
President Mosley welcomed new board member, Rich Liebe, to the board. Mr. Liebe is the president of the Kentucky Magistrates and Commissioners Association.
Mr. Henderson said the purpose of the meeting is for staff to provide a recap of the 2025 legislative session. He recognized KACo's legislative team including contract lobbyists from Commonwealth Alliance as well as Richie Sanders and Ellen Williams in addition to Shellie Hampton and Kayla Smith.
Ms. Hampton stated that 1,080 bills were filed during the 2025 legislative session, with 184 bills passing. She expressed her gratitude to the board and her coworkers, especially Kayla Smith, for their support throughout this session.
Ms. Smith highlighted several bills affecting counties: HB 1, which reduces the state income tax rate from 4% to 3.5% beginning Jan. 1, 2026; HB 775, the annual revenue bill that will create smaller state income tax triggers; HJR 46, related to the county priority projects program; HB 546, concerning the local assistance road program; and SB 63, addressing street-legal special purpose vehicles.
Ms. Hampton also announced that KACo will hold a virtual legislative membership briefing this Thursday. Additionally, KACo's legislative wrap-up brochure will be emailed to members later today. She highlighted several bills impacting counties: HB 544, which expands and consolidates disaster relief funding mechanisms through the creation of the State Aid Funding for Emergencies fund (SAFE4860 fund), applicable only to flooding impacts from February 2025; HB 555 as it relates to local government financial practices, authorizing county treasurers to make payments via Electronic Funds Transfers and use electronic signatures to meet signature requirements for approved expenses, including those adopted through standing orders; and HB 160, concerning manufactured housing.
Ms. Hampton discussed bills that did not pass, including issues related to pretrial felony reimbursement, legal publications, blighted and abandoned properties, centralized collection of occupational license taxes, transient room tax collection, and short-term rental regulations. She noted that the lobbying team is preparing for the 2026 legislative session, with interim committees scheduled to meet monthly from June through December 2025. This upcoming session will be a budget session and an election year for county officials and legislators. Construction at the Capitol will continue through the new year, with session taking place in the new building attached to the Capitol Annex - a project expected to last at least three and half years.
President Mosley expressed his appreciation for the work of Mr. Henderson and the legislative team. He mentioned that the KACo board retreat is scheduled for June 19-20 in Harlan, with a focus on preparing for the 2026 legislative session. One key issue is the funding of jails, as counties face increased costs that impact their budgets. He encouraged the board to bring data to the retreat, highlighting how counties have had to subsidize expenses over the past six years. He emphasized that jail funding is a shared responsibility between the state and counties, and the goal is to reinforce the concept of a true partnership-particularly since the increase in costs has predominantly fallen on counties. Other issues on the agenda include roads, blighted and abandoned properties, guidance related to street-legal vehicles, and liability considerations regarding HB 29.
Motion made by Josh Lindblom, seconded by Rich Liebe, to adjourn the meeting at 11:59 a.m. Motion carried.
The Kentucky Association of Counties held a Board of Directors' meeting at 1 p.m. (ET) on Thursday, March 20, 2025. 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 were present: Dan Mosley, KACo President and Harlan Co. Judge/Executive; J. L. Albright, Laurel Co. Attorney; Kevin Alexander, Edmonson Co. Clerk; Scott Bates, Henry Co. Judge/Executive; Elbert Bennett, Caldwell Co. Magistrate; Darrin Benton, Muhlenberg Co. Magistrate (via video teleconference); Jonathan Bruer, Carlisle Co. PVA; Amy Chandler, Warren Co. Attorney (via video teleconference); Tabatha Clemons, Grant Co. Clerk (via video teleconference); Joe Pat Covington, Scott Co. Judge/Executive; Chuck Dills, Grant Co. Judge/Executive; David Fields, Pendleton Co. Judge/Executive; Gary Ginn, Fayette Co. Coroner; Stevie Givens, Butler Co. Magistrate; Orbrey Gritton, Anderson Co. Judge/Executive; Bobby Hall, Greenup Co. Judge/Executive; Doug Hall, Floyd Co. Circuit Court Clerk; Bill Hedges, Shelby Co. Magistrate; Steve Henry, Webster Co. Judge/Executive; John Hunt, Floyd Co. Sheriff; David Livingston, Scott Co. Magistrate; Michael Logsdon, Oldham Co. Magistrate; Craig Miller, Bracken Co. Magistrate (via video teleconference); Gary Moore, Boone Co. Judge/Executive (via video teleconference); David Nicholson, Jefferson Co. Circuit Court Clerk; Adam O'Nan, Union Co. Judge/Executive; Berl Perdue, Clark Co. Sheriff; Joe Ross, Logan Co. Attorney; Rick Stiltner, Menifee Co. Judge/Executive; Reagan Taylor, Madison Co. Judge/Executive; Greg Terry, Carlisle Co. Judge/Executive; John Ward, Hardin Co. Sheriff; and Pat White, Whitley Co. Judge/Executive.
Others participating included: Jim Henderson, Executive Director/CEO; Tim Sturgill, General Counsel; Temple Juett, Director of Insurance; Karen Basham, Chief Financial Officer; Shellie Hampton, Director of Government Affairs; Jennifer Burnett, Director of Strategic Operations; Lonnie Campbell, Assistant Director of Financing Services; Rich Ornstein, Attorney; Kayla Smith, Policy Analyst; Brenna Angel, Associate Director of Communications; Marie Skinner, Accounting Manager; Katherine Porter, Accountant; Alyssa Rogers, Staff Accountant; Jon Kovach, Emergency Management Liaison; Kelly Harding, KACo Marketing Agent/HUB International; Marc Robbins, Executive Director, Kentucky County Attorney Association; Todd Ruckel, Executive Director, Kentucky County Judge/Executive Association; Casey Ellis, Executive Director, Kentucky Council of ADDs; Jon Sharp, IT Manager; Jesse Penn, Computer Support Specialist; Beth Pleasant, Administrative Specialist; and Sonya Chesser, Executive Assistant to CEO/Director of Administrative Services.
President Mosley called the meeting to order at 1 p.m.
Judge White gave the invocation.
Sheriff Perdue led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flags of the United States of America and Commonwealth of Kentucky.
President Mosley recognized Kelly Harding of HUB International and a champion of KACo's County Partner Program. He also recognized Casey Ellis, executive director for the Kentucky Council of ADDs.
Motion made by Adam O'Nan, seconded by Bobby Hall, to approve the minutes of February 27, 2025, meeting as presented. Motion carried.
Ms. Basham presented and discussed the financial statements as of February 28, 2025.
Motion made by David Livingston, seconded by Reagan Taylor, to acknowledge receipt of the financial report as presented. Motion carried.
President Mosley presented the FY 2025/26 membership dues for approval. He said staff recommend that the membership dues structure remain the same as FY 2024/25.
Motion made by Orbrey Gritton, seconded by Joe Pat Covington, to approve having the FY 2025/26 KACo membership dues to remain the same. Motion carried.
President Mosley asked for four volunteers and one alternate to serve on the Presidential Scholarship Committee for 2025 in addition to KACo 2nd Vice President Tabatha Clemons who will serve as an ex officio member of the committee. He said applications are currently being accepted from high school seniors living in Harlan County. Two scholarships will be presented this year, each valued at $2,000 per year, for up to four years to attend an in-state college or university or technical college in the fall following graduation. In early April, KACo staff will email scholarship committee members the students' applications and essays for judging. 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 interviews with applicants. The KACo President is excluded from serving on this committee.
The following agreed to serve on the Presidential Scholarship Committee: Menifee County Judge/Executive Rick Stiltner, Logan County Attorney Joe Ross, Floyd County Circuit Court Clerk Doug Hall, Scott County Magistrate David Livingston with Fayette County Coroner Gary Ginn serving as the alternate.
President Mosley requested approval to ratify memorial resolutions for former Allen County Jailer Larry Piper, Bell County Jailer Robin Venable, former Bourbon County Judge/Executive Donnie Foley, former Madison County Magistrate Bill Strong, former Rowan County Clerk Jean Bailey, former Rowan County Judge/Executive and Sheriff Jim Nickell, and former Woodford County Judge/Executive Joe D. Gormley.
Motion made by Rick Stiltner, seconded by David Nicholson, to ratify the memorial resolutions as presented. Motion carried.
President Mosley requested approval to adopt memorial resolutions for Clinton County Magistrate Jerry Lowhorn, former McLean County Jailer, Mike "Red" Sallee, and former Oldham County Magistrate Billy G. Tucker.
Motion made by Orbrey Gritton, seconded by Michael Logsdon, to adopt the memorial resolutions as presented. Motion carried.
President Mosley requested a moment of silence in their memory.
Ms. Hampton, providing a legislative update, noted that only two days remain in the 2025 legislative session, with a total of 1,127 bills filed. She expressed her gratitude to the board and her coworkers, especially Kayla Smith, for their support throughout this session. In her discussion of key legislation, Ms. Hampton highlighted the following bills: SB 10, as it relates to CERS retirement health insurance as signed by the Governor; HB 775, addresses revenue cleanup initiatives; HJR 46, relates to the county priority projects program road list; HB 546, involves transportation including the transition of the CPPP to Local Assistance Road Program (LARP); HJR 30, authorizes the release of funds for the Kentucky Water or Wastewater Assistance (KWWATERS) project; HB 152, pertains to Medicaid supplemental payment program for public ground ambulance providers; HB 605, updates the list of grants that are eligible for the local match required by the GRANT program to include Delta Regional Authority; HB 684 and SB 4, address elections improvements and the protection of information related to AI election communications; SB 25, relates to the oversight of government operations and new housing development revenue options; HB 544, expands and consolidates disaster relief funding mechanisms by creating the State Aid Funding for Emergencies (SAFE) and HB 13, also pertains to disaster relief tax filing extension.
Mr. Juett, director of insurance, provided an update on improving costs within the insurance industry. He reported that after a couple of years of increases averaging between 15% to 23%, this year's adjustment in the KACo All Lines Fund will range from 0% to 16%, with an average 8%. Additionally, he announced that the KACo Workers Compensation Fund will be declaring two dividends totaling approximately $8.5 million for its members. He said pricing details for the FY 2025/26 renewal season will be forthcoming.
Ms. Burnett, director of strategic operations, announced that Sydney Blodgett will be joining KACo on March 25, as the member engagement manager. In this role, Sydney will focus on training and education, strategic outreach initiatives, and special projects. Mr. Burnett said NACo is currently accepting applications from counties for the NACo Achievement Awards. The deadline for submissions is March 31, and she encouraged everyone to participate.
Mr. Henderson, presenting the executive director's report, said he inherited a great staff, hired new staff members and is excited about the new hires including Ms. Blodgett and the replacement for Mr. Juett's position as he plans to retire July 1.
Mr. Henderson reported that the County Officials Legislative Reception was a huge success with roughly 550 in attendance, including 59 legislators and other key state officials. He also recognized the ten affiliate associations for co-sponsoring the event with KACo on February 12. He mentioned that KACo sponsored a legislative lunch for all legislators, leadership and LRC staff at the Capitol Annex on March 6, which drew 70 legislators and about 430 in attendance. He announced that the KACo board will hold its annual strategic work session on June 19-20, at the Benham Schoolhouse Inn in Harlan County, the home county of President Mosley. Additionally, he noted that the NACo Annual Conference & Exposition is scheduled for July 11-14, in Philadelphia, PA. He encouraged board members to inform Ms. Chesser by April 25, if they plan to attend the NACo Conference for early bird registration, as well as their intentions regarding the annual board retreat. He said April is National County Government Month and encouraged the board to share county stories and events for KACo staff to promote.
Motion made by David Livingston, seconded by Adam O'Nan, to adjourn the meeting at 1:52 p.m. Motion carried.
