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The Kentucky Association of Counties, Inc. (KACo) held an executive committee meeting at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 26, 2023. This meeting was held at the KACo offices located at 400 Englewood Drive in Frankfort, Ky. and via video teleconference, pursuant to proper notice given in accordance with KRS 61.826 and KRS 65.312(3).
The roll was called. The following Directors were present: President Amy Milliken, Warren County Attorney; President-elect David Livingston, Scott County Magistrate (via video teleconference); 1st Vice President Dan Mosley, Harlan Co. Judge/Executive; 2nd Vice President Adam O'Nan, Union County Judge/Executive; and Past President Reagan Taylor, Madison Co. Judge/Executive.
Others present 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 Policy, Research and Communications; Tabatha Clemons, Grant Co. Clerk; Jon Sharp, IT Manager; Jon Kovach, Disaster Preparedness Coordinator; and Sonya Chesser, Executive Assistant to CEO/Director of Administrative Services.
President Milliken called the meeting to order at 12:34 p.m.
Motion made by David Livingston, seconded by Adam O'Nan, to approve the minutes of the December 15, 2022 meeting as presented. Motion carried.
President Milliken welcomed new employee, Jon Kovach and, as this month's staff spotlight, asked him to provide a brief introduction to the board. Mr. Kovach started with KACo on January 17th filling the newly created position to assist with disaster preparedness efforts.
Mr. Henderson provided information concerning the County Officials Legislative Reception to be held Feb. 8, 2023 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the KACo offices; NACo's legislative conference to be held Feb. 11-14, 2023 in Washington, DC and NACo's annual conference to be held July 21-24, 2023 in Travis County, Austin, TX.
Mr. Henderson provided sponsorship information on the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) 2024 Legislative Summit to be held Aug. 5-7 at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville. Sponsorship levels start at $25,000 and increase to $50,000, $75,000 and $100,000. He recommended that KACo sponsor at least the minimum amount of $25,000.
After much discussion concerning the amount to sponsor, motion made by Dan Mosley, seconded by Adam O'Nan, to sponsor $50,000 toward the 2024 NCSL Legislative Summit. Motion carried.
Mr. Henderson discussed the city and county disparity in legislative matters and how KACo has evolved in its lobbying efforts and is seen and recognized by legislators that counties need to be heard. He said KACo needs to have a united voice on behalf of all the affiliate associations as noted by Rep. Randy Bridges, chairman of the House Local Government Committee, rather than each individual association lobbying for specific legislative matters. There was discussion about the united voice among KACo and its affiliate associations and that the same message be heard among all associations. Mr. Henderson said, since COVID, KACo's legislative team and the affiliate directors or the affiliate's legislative liaison meet virtually every Monday during the Session rather than in person, However, he said in-person contribution by each of the ten affiliates may be more beneficial and all ten should be unison on legislation.
Mr. Henderson, discussing possible property acquisition, recommended not moving forward, at this time, in making an offer on the property across the road from the KACo building.
The Executive Committee took a short recess.
President Milliken called the meeting back to order.
Ms. Basham presented and discussed the following financial reports: statement of financial position as of December 31, 2022; consolidated budget report for period July 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022; statement of activities for period July 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022; FY 2022/23 PAF budget report for period July 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022. She also presented the credit card reports for the month of December 2022. There was no out of state travel for the month of December.
Ms. Basham presented and discussed the investment report as of December 31, 2022. The Committee received a full listing of the Association's investments electronically.
Motion made by Adam O'Nan, seconded by Dan Mosley, to acknowledge receipt of the financial and investment reports and to ratify the investment transactions as presented. Motion carried.
Ms. Basham presented and discussed a Joinder Agreement between the Kentucky Public Employees' Deferred Compensation Plan (KDC) and KACo for approval.
Ms. Basham presented a resolution to adopt and enter into a Joinder Agreement between the Kentucky Public Employees' Deferred Compensation Plan (KDC) and KACo.
Motion made by Adam O'Nan, seconded by Dan Mosley, to approve the Joinder Agreement between KDC and KACo and the resolution approving the agreement and authorizing Executive Director/CEO Jim Henderson to sign the agreement on behalf of KACo as presented. Motion carried.
Ms. Basham requested approval to enter into a three year extension with Mountjoy Chilton Medley, LLP for auditing services. The original request for proposal included the option to renew for an additional three years.
Motion made by Adam O'Nan, seconded by Dan Mosley, to accept staff's recommendation to enter into a three-year extension with Mountjoy Chilton Medley, LLP. Motion carried.
Ms. Chesser presented and discussed the proposals for the 2026 KACo Conference and Exposition. She said the request for proposal sought preferred dates in the months of October and November with a Wednesday start date and preferably no more than two hotels. She said there were questions at the December 15th KACo Board of Directors meeting as to why other hotel properties such as the Omni and Northern Kentucky did not respond to the request for proposal. She followed up with those properties and learned that Northern Kentucky did not submit a quote because they would require four to five hotels to accommodate guest rooms. The Omni, Downtown Marriott and the International Convention Center are contracted with other groups in the months of October and November. She said the Omni felt confident they could provide enough hotel rooms if the block remained around 550 rooms on peak night but due to the amount of space required would mostly likely require contracting with the convention center for exhibit space. Ms. Chesser said KACo prides itself on being able to offer complimentary parking for conference guests. However, the parking at the Omni is valet only at $40 per day with several self-park options near the hotel at a cost of $14 per day without in and out privileges. The 2023 KACo Conference will be held at the Central Bank Center in Lexington with 2024 and 2025 to be held at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville.
Motion made by Dan Mosley, seconded by Adam O'Nan, to recommend to the full board to accept the proposal by Lexington as the site of the KACo Conference & Exposition to be held Nov. 18 - 20, 2026. Motion carried.
President Milliken requested approval to adopt memorial resolutions for former Shelby County Sheriff Stanley Greenwell and former Hart County Attorney George Lang.
Motion made by Adam O'Nan, seconded by Dan Mosley, to adopt the memorial resolutions as presented. Motion carried.
President Milliken asked for a moment of silence to remember their service to the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
The next scheduled meeting is February 23 at 12:30 p.m.
Motion made by Dan Mosley, seconded by Adam O'Nan, to adjourn the meeting at 2:28 p.m. Motion carried.
