Kentucky Association of Counties

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Kentucky Association of Counties

The County Voice



KACo has a strong voice representing Kentucky counties at the state and federal levels. We work to promote counties first, preserve county decision making and protect counties from cost shifting and preemption of authority.



KACo Advocacy Team


Jim Henderson
Executive Director/CEO

Shellie Hampton
Director of Government Affairs

Kayla Carter Smith
Policy Analyst

2026 Legislative Priority: Reshaping the Shared Responsibility of County Jails

Kentucky county jails are at a crisis point, with fiscal court subsidies rising more than 76% in six years and counties forced to raise taxes or cut essential services just to keep their facilities operating.

KACo has published a one-page document with key points of our comprehensive jails proposal.


Know Your Legislator

Find listings for Kentucky's legislators by chamber including a short biography, committee assignments and contact information for both their Capitol office and home district.

We encourage members to meet with legislators in their district prior to the start of the legislative session to update them on issues important to counties and how those issues will affect their district in particular. During the session, stay engaged and visit legislators in Frankfort as bills make their way through the legislative process.


Legislative News

Phase-in rate
These new employer contribution rates have just been released by KRS. These rates will factor into your county budgets, due May 1st to fiscal courts.
Pension final
The Pension Reform Bill (SB151) is expected go into effect on July 1, 2018. Here are some changes in Kentucky's public pensions from SB 151.
By the Numbers: KY Primary Elections
By the Numbers: KY Primary Elections
Pension assets
Assets in the Kentucky Retirement Systems have increased by $905 million so far this fiscal year with investment gains topping $1 billion year to date, officials told the state’s pension oversight board yesterday.
KY County Employee Retirement Trends
The number of people entering retirement in the County Employees Retirement System (CERS) is up in 2018. An additional 504 employees retired in fiscal year 2018 – which ends this month – compared to 2017.
Sports Wagering
Legislation is being proposed for the 2019 General Assembly to allow sports wagering in Kentucky.
Audits
What counties pay for audits are changing. Fiscal courts will notice the biggest difference. The state auditor wants two offices to pay less.
Sales Tax
Kentucky's new sales tax law goes into effect July 1, 2018, but do you know enough about it?