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The Kentucky Association of Counties held a Board of Directors' meeting at 1 p.m. (ET) on Thursday, September 25, 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 participated in person: President Dan Mosley, Harlan Co. Judge/Executive; Jodi Albright, Laurel Co. Attorney; Kevin Alexander, Edmonson County Clerk; Scott Alexander, Perry Co. Judge/Executive; Scott Bates, Henry Co. Judge/Executive; Elbert Bennett, Caldwell Co. Magistrate; Darrin Benton, Muhlenberg Co. Magistrate (via video teleconference); Ronnie Bowling, Commonwealth's Attorney (via video teleconference); Jonathan Bruer, Carlisle Co. PVA; Amy Chandler, Warren Co. Attorney; Joe Pat Covington, Scott County 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 (via video teleconference); Stevie Givens, Butler Co. Magistrate; Bobby Hall, Greenup Co. Judge/Executive (via video teleconference); Doug Hall, Floyd Co. Circuit Court Clerk; 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; 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 (via video teleconference); Greg Terry, Carlisle Co. Judge/Executive; and Pat White, Whitley Co. Judge/Executive.
Others participating included: Jim Henderson, Executive Director/CEO; Tim Sturgill, General Counsel; Karen Basham, Chief Financial Officer; Shellie Hampton, Director of Government Affairs; Jennifer Burnett, Director of Strategic Operations; Kayla Carter, Policy Analyst; Brenna Angel, Director of Communications; Rebecca Jackson, Graphic Designer; Katherine Porter, Accountant; Sydney Blodgett, Member Engagement Manager; Rick Stiltner, Senior Relationship Officer; Hollis Alexander, Relationship Officer; Marie Skinner, Accounting Manager; Alyssa Rogers, Staff Accountant; Todd Ruckel, Executive Director, Kentucky County Judge/Executive Association; Marc Robbins, Executive Director, Kentucky County Attorneys Association (via video teleconference); JC Young, Executive Director, Kentucky Magistrates and Commissioners Association; Harry Clark, Rowan County Judge/Executive; Collin Johnson, KACo Lobbyist; Richie Sanders, KACo Lobbyist; Sheila McGee, Shelby County Treasurer and KACTFO President (via video teleconference); R. J. Palmer, Compass Municipal Advisors; Barry Stilz and Lynn Zellen, Kinkead & Stilz; Kelly Hardin, HUB International; 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 1:04 p.m.
Squire Liebe gave the invocation.
Judge Alexander led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flags of the United States of America and Commonwealth of Kentucky.
President Mosley welcomed, Commonwealth's Attorney Ronnie Bowling to the board. Mr. Bowling is the new president of the Kentucky Commonwealth's Attorneys Association.
President Mosley also recognized the following KACo County Champions: Kelly Harding, HUB International; Barry Stilz and Lynn Zellen of Kinkead and Stilz, PLLC; and R. J. Palmer, Compass Municipal Advisors.
Motion made by Elbert Bennett, seconded by Stevie Givens, to approve the minutes of the June 19-20, 2025, meeting as presented. Motion carried.
Mr. Henderson, giving the executive director's report, recognized new employees: Sydney Blodgett, who will focus on member management; and Rick Stiltner and Hollis Alexender, who will concentrate on member outreach efforts in the counties. He announced that KACo's 51st Annual Conference and Exposition will be held Nov. 12-14, 2025, at the Galt House Hotel. The theme, Counties: Leading the Way, emphasizes the vital work of county officials with the goal to provide them with tools and content to enhance being effective leaders, featuring high-level speakers. Mr. Henderson said KACo's Chief Insurance Officer, Temple Juett, is retiring at the end of the month and Jeremy Baird is doing a great job as the new Director of Insurance.
Ms. Basham presented and discussed the financial statement as of August 31, 2025.
Motion made by Greg Terry, seconded by Rich Liebe, to approve the financial statement as presented. Motion carried.
Ms. Basham presented and discussed the audited financial statement for period ending June 30, 2025, and executive summary, as prepared by Cherry Bekaert. She said that auditors from Cherry Bekaert presented the audit to the KACo Audit Committee, where it received their approval. The KACo Executive Committee has also received the audit. Additionally, she noted that KACo received a clean opinion with no findings or recommendations noted.
Motion made by Randy Dial, seconded by David Nicholson, to acknowledge receipt of the audit as presented. Motion carried.
Judge Dills, who serves on the KACo Audit Committee, thanked Ms. Basham and her staff for their exceptional work. He noted that Ms. Basham is very thorough when reviewing financial information with the Committee.
President Mosley requested approval to appoint Henry County Judge/Executive Scott Bates to the KACo Audit Committee filling the unexpired term of former Menifee County Judge/Executive Rick Stiltner. This term is effective immediately and will expire Dec. 31, 2027.
Motion made by Jodi Albright, seconded by Amy Chandler, to appoint Henry County Judge/Executive Scott Bates to the KACo Audit Committee. Motion carried.
President Mosley requested approval to appoint Rowan County Judge/Executive Harry Clark to the KACo Board representing Gateway ADD filling the unexpired term of former Menifee County Judge/Executive Rick Stiltner. This term is effective immediately and will expire at the KACo annual meeting in November of 2026.
Motion made by David Livingston, seconded by Greg Terry, to appoint Rowan County Judge/Executive Harry Clark to the KACo Board representing Gateway ADD. Motion carried.
President Mosley requested approval to appoint Sonya Chesser, Kris Dunn, and Crystal Hellard with alternate of Jennifer Burnett to serve as the credential committee for the election of KACo 1st and 2nd Vice Presidents, which will take place at the annual conference on Nov. 13. The deadline to submit a letter of intention is Oct. 13. He said, due to a magistrate's departure from the Executive Committee, the 2nd Vice President position must be held by a member of the Kentucky Magistrates and Commissioners Association. The office of 1st Vice President was vacated by former Grant County Clerk Tabatha Clemons and is now open to one of the remaining Affiliate Members of the Association, excluding members of the Kentucky County Judge/Executive Association and the Kentucky Magistrates and Commissioners Association. Candidates must be representative members from counties who have paid their membership dues for the current fiscal year. For 1st Vice President, to date, we have received two letters of intent from Green County PVA Sean Curry and Montgomery County Clerk Chris Cockrell. For 2nd Vice President, we have received two letters of intent from Clark County Magistrate Robert Blanton and Grant County Magistrate Jacqalynn Riley.
Motion made by John Hunt, seconded by Jonathan Bruer, to approve Sonya Chesser, Kris Dunn, and Crystal Hellard, with alternate of Jennifer Burnett, to serve as the credential committee for the election of KACo 1st and 2nd vice presidents. Motion carried.
President Mosley requested approval to ratify memorial resolutions for former Bullitt County Magistrate Ruthie Ashbaugh and former Franklin County Judge/Executive and Sheriff Ted Collins.
Motion made by Chuck Dills, seconded by Scott Bates, to ratify the memorial resolutions as presented. Motion carried.
President Mosley requested approval of memorial resolutions for Jefferson County Clerk Bobbie Holsclaw, former Simpson County Jailer James Mooneyhan, former Leslie County Judge/Executive C. Allen Muncy, and former Lyon County Attorney James Eddleman Story.
Motion made by David Nicholson, seconded by Rich Liebe, to adopt the memorial resolutions as presented. Motion carried.
President Mosley noted, that in recent days, KACo has lost two additional respected county officials: Jefferson County Sheriff John Aubrey and former Henderson County Coroner Bruce Farmer. He said staff will prepare memorial resolutions for approval at next month's KACo Executive Committee.
President Mosley requested a moment of silence in their memory.
Mr. Nicholson said Jefferson County has lost two great public servants with the passing of County Clerk Bobbie Holsclaw and Sheriff John Aubrey.
Ms. Hampton stated that the 2026 legislative session will consist of a 60-day session, including consideration of the upcoming state biennial budget. She reminded the board of KACo's advocacy process, which is member-driven, board-guided, and team-executed. Additionally, she mentioned that KACo testified at the Interim Joint Committee on Local Government regarding the increased fiscal pressure on county budgets due to mounting jail expenses, which have risen exponentially since COVID while revenues continue to decline.
President Mosley outlined KACo's top legislative priority for the upcoming session: reshaping the shared responsibility of county jails in Kentucky. The proposal was developed with significant input from the KACo Executive Committee and Board of Directors during the annual retreat, as well as feedback from the KACo Listening Sessions and meetings with members of the General Assembly.
The priorities include: 1. Incentivizing regional jails: establish state financial incentives for regionalizing county jails and provide financial assistance to counties for construction of new and expanded regional jail facilities. Additionally, amend state statute to allow jailers from all counties participating in a regional jail to be members of the regional jail authority board. Current law only allows the jailer in the county where the jail is located to serve on the board. 2. Clarifying responsibility for pre-trial felony detainees: specify when the financial responsibility for inmates incarcerated on a felony offense becomes the obligation of the state. The proposal would require that the state begin paying counties for pre-trial felony detainees starting on day 61 or on the day a grand jury indicts an inmate on a state felony charge. This would benefit all counties. 3. Redefining the state inmate model: require the state to enter into written contracts with fiscal courts or regional jails for housing state inmates. The proposal would also align state funding for housing inmates with actual costs and desired outcomes. Additionally, the state should cover the bonds for constructing jails primarily designed to house state inmates.
Motion made by Josh Lindblom, seconded by Pat White, for the KACo Board of Directors to endorse the issue of reshaping the shared responsibility for county jails in Kentucky as its primary legislative priority for the 2026 Regular Session, to include: incentivizing regional jails; clarifying responsibility for pre-trial felony detainees; and redefining the state inmate model. Motion carried.
Judge Alexander thanked the KACo legislative team for their work and working effectively with members of the General Assembly.
President Mosley expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve as KACo president and looks forward in continuing to work with everyone.
Motion made by David Nicholson, seconded by Rich Liebe, to adjourn the meeting at 2:03 p.m. in honor of Clerk Holsclaw and Sheriff Aubrey. Motion carried.
