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The Kentucky Association of Counties held a special Board of Directors' meeting at 11 a.m. (ET) on Friday, March 13, 2026. This meeting was held via video teleconference, in accordance with KRS 61.823, 61.826, and KRS 65.312(3).
The following Directors were present: President Adam O'Nan, Union Co. Judge/ Executive; Danetta Allen, Rockcastle Co. Clerk; Scott Alexander, Perry Co. Judge/Executive; Darrin Benton, Muhlenberg Co. Magistrate; Jonathan Bruer, Carlisle Co. PVA; Harry Clark, Rowan Co. Judge/Executive; Sean Curry, Green Co. PVA; Chuck Dills, Grant Co. Judge/Executive; David Fields, Pendleton Co. Judge/Executive; Stevie Givens, Butler Co. Magistrate; Bobby Hall, Greenup Co. Judge/Executive; Bill Hedges, Shelby Co. Magistrate; Steve Henry, Webster Co. Judge/Executive; John Hunt, Floyd Co. Sheriff; Rich Liebe, Christian Co. Magistrate; Josh Lindblom, Hardin Co. Jailer; Michael Logsdon, Oldham Co. Magistrate; Todd Mansfield, Todd Co. Judge/Executive; Craig Miller, Bracken Co. Magistrate; Jacqalynn Riley, Grant Co. Magistrate; Joe Ross, Logan Co. Attorney; Greg Terry, Carlisle Co. Judge/Executive; and John Ward, Hardin Co. Sheriff.
Others participating included: Shellie Hampton, Director of Government Affairs; Kayla Smith, Policy Analyst; Tim Sturgill, General Counsel; Jeremy Baird, Director of Insurance; Jennifer Burnett, Chief Innovation Officer; Karen Basham, Chief Financial Officer; Rich Ornstein, Staff Attorney; Sara Massey, Executive Director; Kentucky Jailers Association; Marc Robbins, Executive Director, Kentucky County Attorneys Association; Brenna Angel, Director of Communications; Todd Ruckel, Executive Director, Kentucky County Judge/Executive Association; Richie Sanders, KACo Lobbyist; Hollis Alexander, Relationship Officer; and Sonya Chesser, Executive Assistant to CEO/Director of Administrative Services.
President O'Nan called the meeting to order at 11 a.m.
Motion made by Bobby Hall, seconded by Rich Liebe, to approve the minutes of the February 27, 2026 meeting as emailed. Motion carried.
President O'Nan requested a moment of silence in memory of Jim Henderson's father.
President O'Nan said the KACo Legislative Appreciation Luncheon was a huge success with 76 legislators and large number of legislative staff attending.
Ms. Hampton said key components of House Bill 557, the comprehensive jail bill, are now being considered by legislative leaders as potential additions to the state budget bill, House Bill 500. Negotiations are ongoing. She also mentioned that 52 legislators co-sponsored House Bill 557 and encouraged the board to continue advocating for this legislation.
Jailer Lindblom said the Kentucky Supreme Court upheld the Kentucky Jailers Association's lawsuit against the Kentucky Department of Corrections over the state's practice of housing thousands of state inmates in county jails without adequate reimbursement for state inmate medical costs. He noted that, as a result, every county in Kentucky will receive reimbursement for costs incurred in housing state inmates from the $5 million settlement.
Ms. Smith provided an update on the Transportation Cabinet budget, House Bill 501, and the state's six-year road plan. The six-year plan is divided into two measures: House Bill 502, which establishes the two-year Biennial Highway Construction Plan, and HJR 75, which outlines the final four years of the Six-Year Road Plan. Other bills impacting counties include House Bill 622, a pilot program sponsored by House Transportation Chairman John Blanton, allowing counties to use county road aid funding to apply chip seal or recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) on existing gravel roads. Senate Bill 149, sponsored by Sen. Greg Elkins, would shorten the period for appointing an acting county treasurer from 30 to 5 days when the treasurer is temporarily unable to serve. It also clarifies that in cases of vacancy due to resignation, termination, or death, an acting treasurer can be appointed for up to 60 days, after which a permanent appointment is required if the term isn't over. Additionally, fiscal courts may appoint a deputy county treasurer to serve under the treasurer's supervision.
Ms. Hampton discussed House Bill 9, sponsored by House Appropriations and Revenue Chairman Jason Petrie. This alcohol taxation measure proposes several changes to the local regulatory license fee, with a delayed implementation date of July 1, 2027. She also covered House Bill 757, also sponsored by Rep. Petrie, which is the annual revenue bill that includes modifications to the state tax code and revenue laws. Additionally, Ms. Hampton mentioned House Bill 900, filed by Rep. Petrie, appropriating $800 million over the biennium and $1 million for the current fiscal year from the Budget Reserve Trust Fund for one-time expenditures for water and sewer project pools, economic development investments and smaller local infrastructure projects and investments.
The next meeting is Friday, Mar. 20, at 11 a.m.
Motion made by Greg Terry, seconded by Josh Lindblom, to adjourn the meeting at 11:28 a.m. Motion carried.
The Kentucky Association of Counties held a special Board of Directors' meeting at 11 a.m. (ET) on Friday, February 27, 2026. This meeting was held via video teleconference, in accordance with KRS 61.823, 61.826, and KRS 65.312(3).
The following Directors were present: President Adam O'Nan, Union Co. Judge/ Executive; Jodi Albright, Laurel Co. Attorney; Danetta Allen, Rockcastle Co. Clerk; Scott Alexander, Perry Co. Judge/Executive; Scott Bates, Henry Co. Judge/Executive; Darrin Benton, Muhlenberg Co. Magistrate; Joe Pat Covington, Scott Co. Judge/Executive; Sean Curry, Green Co. PVA; Chuck Dills, Grant Co. Judge/Executive; Stevie Givens, Butler Co. Magistrate; Doug Hall, Floyd Co. Circuit Court Clerk; Michael Logsdon, Oldham Co. Magistrate; Craig Miller, Bracken Co. Magistrate; Dan Mosley, Harlan Co. Judge/Executive; David Nicholson, Jefferson Co. Circuit Court Clerk; Berl Perdue, Clark Co. Sheriff; Jacqalynn Riley, Grant Co. Magistrate; Joe Ross, Logan Co. Attorney; Reagan Taylor, Madison Co. Judge/Executive; and Greg Terry, Carlisle Co. Judge/Executive.
Others participating included: Jim Henderson, Executive Director/CEO; Tim Sturgill, General Counsel; Jeremy Baird, Director of Insurance; Jennifer Burnett, Chief Innovation Officer; Rich Ornstein, Staff Attorney; Kayla Smith, Policy Analyst; Rick Stiltner, Senior Relationship Officer; Sara Massey, Executive Director; Kentucky Jailers Association; Frank Doyle, Clark County Jailer; Sydney Blodgett, Membership Engagement Manager; and Sonya Chesser, Executive Assistant to CEO/Director of Administrative Services.
Motion made by Greg Terry, seconded by Stevie Givens, to approve the minutes of the January 30, 2026 meeting as emailed. Motion carried.
Ms. Smith, providing a legislative update, stated that KACo's top legislative jail priority, House Bill 557, has currently received 51 co-sponsors. She encouraged board members to have their counties to pass a resolution in support of House Bill 557, if they have not already done so. She also reported that members of the House passed House Bill 500, the executive branch budget for the upcoming biennium, which now moves to the Senate. Additionally, she highlighted items within House Bill 504, the Judicial Branch budget, which has also passed. Staff continues to monitor House Bill 501, the Transportation budget bill, which has not yet passed, as well as House Bill 757, the Revenue bill, filed this week.
The last day to file new bills in the House and Senate is next week.
Ms. Smith reminded the board that KACo will host a legislative lunch for all legislators, LRC leadership, and LRC staff on March 11, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Capitol Annex, Room 125. President O'Nan encouraged the board members to attend this important event.
The next meeting is Friday, Mar. 6, at 11 a.m.
Motion made by Michael Logsdon, seconded by Jacqalynn Riley, to adjourn the meeting at 11:12 a.m. Motion carried.
