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The Kentucky Association of Counties held a special executive committee meeting, pursuant to proper notice given in accordance with KRS 61.823, at 11:10 a.m. on Thursday, August 27, 2020 at 400 Englewood Drive in Frankfort, Kentucky and via teleconference.
The following Directors participated in-person: President Gary Moore, Boone Co. Judge/Executive; President-Elect Reagan Taylor, Madison Co. Judge/Executive; 1st Vice President Phil Sammons, Boyle Co. Magistrate; and Immediate Past President Elbert Bennett, Caldwell Co. Magistrate; and 2nd Vice President Amy Milliken, Warren Co. Attorney (via teleconference).
Others present included: Jim Henderson, Executive Director/CEO; Tim Sturgill, General Counsel; Karen Basham, Chief Financial Officer; Grant Satterly, Director of Financial Services; and Sonya Chesser, Chief Administrative Officer/Executive Assistant to CEO.
President Moore called the meeting to order at 11:11 a.m.
Motion made by Phil Sammons, seconded by Elbert Bennett, to approve the minutes of the July 20, 2020 and August 10, 2020 meetings as presented. Motion carried.
Ms. Basham presented and discussed the following financial reports: statement of financial position as of July 31, 2020; consolidated budget report for period July 1 - 31, 2020; statement of activities for period July 2020; FY 2020/21 PAF budget reports for period July 1 - 31, 2020. She also presented and discussed the credit card reports for the month of June 2020 and the out of state for the month of July.
Motion made by Reagan Taylor, seconded by Phil Sammons, to acknowledge receipt of the financial reports as presented. Motion carried.
Mr. Satterly presented and discussed the investment report as of July 31, 2020 including the security position changes for the month of July 2020. He also provided his personal opinion on the economic outlook for August 2020.
Motion made by Phil Sammons, seconded by Elbert Bennett, to accept the investment report and approve the security position changes. Motion carried.
President Moore requested approval to adopt resolutions in memory of Bullitt Co. PVA Depp Rasner, II; Edmonson Co. Magistrate Clark Wood; Fleming Co. Jailer Tim Cooper; and Perry Co. Jailer Dexter Howard.
President Moore asked for a moment of silence in memory Mr. Rasner, Mr. Wood, Mr. Cooper and Mr. Howard.
Motion made by Elbert Bennett, seconded by Amy Milliken, to approve the memorial resolutions as presented. Motion carried.
Mr. Henderson opened the floor for discussion concerning the 2020 KACo Virtual Conference. He said the goal is to allow speakers a short block of time in order to keep the audience engaged. President Moore agreed and provided his view on what he has found to be effective when attending other state association virtual conferences, which included door prize drawings. Mr. Henderson suggested having a mix of live and pre-recorded messages from a list of potential speakers including President Trump, Democratic Presidential Nominee Joe Biden, Kentucky's U.S. Congressmen, Governor Beshear and Kentucky's constitutional officers. The Committee agreed to have some level of in-person participation and that the business meeting and election being held on the afternoon of the first day followed by a reception off site and returning the next day to wrap-up day two. Mr. Henderson said Ms. Chesser recommended having the three candidates running for 2nd vice president to prerecord their message. KACo will then send those messages out electronically to the membership a week prior to the conference. President Moore recommended asking a NACo staff person to provide an update on the transportation/current congressional acts and another breakout session focused on board band. Mr. Henderson said another option would be to offer tracks specifically tiered toward each affiliate group. The Committee agreed to leave conference dates as is.
Mr. Henderson said he has also reached out to the Governor's office for assistance to allow elected county officials to receive training credit by viewing the virtual conference and not be required to be on screen. The Governor's office directed Mr. Henderson to send a letter of request to Commissioner Keene with the Department for Local Government with a copy to be sent to the Governor's office.
President Moore said KACo needs to determine its policy positions for the upcoming year and noted that the county clerks want a voice at the table. Mr. Henderson said he plans to schedule a strategic planning session with the board in September with the hopes of providing an update on KACo's approved policy positons during the virtual conference. President Moore recommended polling the members that are registered for the conference on legislative policy issues. He recommended that KACo promote the opportunity for members to be able to vote on the issues prior to the conference. Judge Taylor asked that the full board be involved in the legislative process leading up to the conference. Mr. Henderson suggested scheduling a full board meeting within the first couple of weeks of September to discuss legislative strategies and/or strategic planning or at least two weeks prior to the virtual conference. President Moore recommended holding a planning session with the new board members post conference. The board members running for a position on the KACo board of directors representing the Area Development Districts will be known after September 25th.
President Moore expressed his dismay with the state transportation and economic development cabinets in their delay in moving on certain issues. He said the reasons that he has been given for the delays are due to staff working virtually and not meeting during COVID, which he compared to other states that seem to have no problem in moving forward during this pandemic. He said it is time for KACo to step forward, maybe partner with the Kentucky League of Cities, to push the cabinets into action to move on much needed items.
Mr. Henderson provided information on the CARES Act and the counties that have received funding approvals as of August 24, 2020. President Moore said if there are counties that are not going to make a submission then those funds need to be pooled and distributed to those who have additional needs. He said KACo also needs to meet with Commissioner Keene concerning the remaining $50 million that was set aside. President Moore recommended that KACo reach out to counties who have not submitted a request for funding and remind them that funds are available for reimbursable expenses.
Mr. Henderson provided the Committee with a written copy of his executive director's report for August.
The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held Thursday, September 24th at 10:30 a.m.
Motion made by Reagan Taylor, seconded by Phil Sammons, to adjourn the meeting at 12:30 p.m. Motion carried.
