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 HB 557, 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

Planning & Zoning
KACo Insurance has added two important pieces to its coverage for planning and zoning, making it the most comprehensive coverage available.
Floyd Co Attrny sues
An Eastern Kentucky county attorney has sued the state Cabinet for Health and Family Services for ending its contract with him to collect child support payments.
Jody Richards
Rep. Jody Richards, D-Bowling Green, was named the third-most productive state representative in the nation.
Bridging KY
Kentucky transportation officials plan to repair or replace 1,000 bridges in six years despite forecasting stagnant growth in the road fund.
Sarah Huckabee Sanders
White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders is speaking this month at the Republican Party of Kentucky's Lincoln Dinner.
REAL ID
REAL IDs are coming to Kentucky next year, but local officials are advising residents to get their documents in order before the new system takes effect at the beginning of 2019.
Post Write Ins
Attorney General Andy Beshear issued a legal opinion that it was OK for election officials to post a list of certified write-in candidates at polling places.
Robert King
Robert L. King, the head of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, is being nominated by President Donald Trump to a post in the U.S. Department of Education.