Phil Sammons
Boyle County Magistrate

Boyle County Magistrate Phil Sammons was encouraged by Tony Wilder to go into politics more than 20 years ago. Now, Sammons has followed in Wilder's footsteps as the second Boyle County official to serve as KACo president.

Wilder was president of KACo in 2006 while serving as judge/executive in Boyle County.

“Public service has been very dear to my heart since Tony Wilder suggested I get into politics more than two decades ago and throughout my six terms as Boyle County magistrate,” Sammons said.

“To everyone in Boyle County, there’s no doubt we live in one of the most – if not the most – supportive communities in the great state of Kentucky,” Sammons added. “I simply couldn’t be able to serve and fight for all Kentucky counties without you having my back on a daily basis.”

Sammons, a Johnson County native, began his extended service with KACo in 2003 when he joined the Unemployment Insurance Board. This year, he serves as chairman of that board, which recently voted to return 100 percent of last year’s premiums to members.

Sammons was elected as KACo 2nd vice president in 2018, and he has served on the executive committee since then.

“To the KACo board, the executive committee, past and present, thank you for your leadership, your ideas, your guidance. I’m thrilled to continue working with you and learning from you,” Sammons said.

Sammons’ focus for his presidency will be advocating for KACo’s top legislative priorities.

“If there’s anything I want to see happen during my time as KACo president, I want to take the great work of KACo presidents before me and continue their progress,” he said. “That includes advocating on behalf of counties in Frankfort and beyond about the most pressing issues for counties, including access to affordable broadband, safe and well-maintained roads and bridges, clean water and properly funded jails.”

Sammons and his wife, Glenna, have three children.

Past presidents

2021
Reagan Taylor
Judge/Executive, Madison County

2020
Gary Moore
Judge/Executive, Boone County

2019
Elbert Bennett
Magistrate, Caldwell County 

2018
David Nicholson
Circuit Court Clerk, Jefferson County

2017
Bruce Todd
Magistrate, Henderson County 

2016
Jim Henderson
Judge/Executive, Simpson County

2015
Hubert Pollett
Magistrate, Shelby County 

2014
Jerry “Peanuts” Gaines
Sheriff, Warren County 

2013, 1997
Tommy Turner
Judge/Executive, LaRue County

2012
John Wilson
Judge/Executive, Garrard County

2011
Chris Harris
Magistrate, Pike County

2010
Rick Smith
Magistrate, Clark County

2009
J. Michael Foster
County Attorney, Christian County 

2008
David Jenkins
Judge/Executive, Spencer County

2007
Tony Carriss
Magistrate, Shelby County

2006
Tony Wilder
Judge/Executive, Boyle County 

2005
F.J. “Bear” Finn
Commissioner, Mason County

2004
Jim Townsend        
Judge/Executive, Webster County

2003
Hugh McCormick
Magistrate, Henderson County 

2002
Wayne Gunnell
Magistrate, Henry County

2001
Larry Whitaker
Judge/Executive, McLean County 

2000
Sandy Lee Watkins
Judge/Executive, Henderson County 

1999
Robert Samples 
Magistrate, Shelby County 

1998
Kent Clark
Judge/Executive, Madison County

1996
Jerry Stewart          
Commissioner, Graves County 

1995
Freddie Combs
Magistrate, Perry County

1995
Bob Arnold 
Judge/Executive, Franklin County

1994
Harold Robinson
Magistrate, Franklin County

1993
Nina Mooney          
County Clerk, Bullitt County

1992
David H. Pribble 
Judge/Executive, Pendleton County

1991
Sherman Neace
Judge/Executive, Perry County

1990
Terry O. McKinney
Judge/Executive, Lyon County

1989
Kenneth Y. Harper 
Judge/Executive, Simpson County

1988
Robert T. Harrod
Judge/Executive, Franklin County

1987
Sue Carole Perry 
County Clerk, Shelby County

1986
Mike Abell   
Judge/Executive, Nelson County

1984-85
John Weaver 
Commissioner, Boone County

1982-83
Betty Jo Denton Heick      
County Clerk, Bourbon County

1980-81
Mike Miller 
Judge/Executive, Marshall County

1978-79
Harry G. Hoffman II 
Judge/Executive, Montgomery County

1976-77
Robert B. Aldemeyer        
Commissioner, Kenton County

1975
Robert O. Miller 
Judge/Executive, Calloway County

1974
Robert F. Stephens 
Judge/Executive, Fayette County