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This week in county news

Week 9 legislative update: counties and cities at the table for compromise annexation bill

HB 596, a compromise bill on city annexation, passed the Kentucky House Friday with a vote of 93-1.


“The bill that you have before you with the committee substitute is a collective effort of both cities and counties working together to reach a solution,” said bill sponsor Rep. Jonathan Dixon.

Learn more here

McConnell announces he will step down from leadership position

This week, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell announced that he will step down from his Senate leadership position in November.


As a former county judge/executive, Leader McConnell continues to be a great friend to counties. With Leader McConnell in the most powerful role in the Senate, he made sure Kentucky was always punching above its weight.


Kentucky counties are thankful for the historic successes Senator McConnell has delivered for the Commonwealth.  

Congratulations to Teresa Yagel and Dianne Andrews on their retirement!

It's a bittersweet time at the KACo office as we wish a happy and well-deserved retirement to longtime bookkeeper Teresa Yagel and Government Affairs and Training Coordinator Dianne Andrews.


Teresa has been at KACo since 2001, and Dianne joined KACo in 2016. Both had earlier careers in local and state government. We are going to miss their knowledge, kindness and dedication to serving others.


Happy retirement, Teresa and Dianne!

Falls are often preventable when working with ladders

March is Ladder Safety Month.


Whether working from a ladder, roof or scaffolding, it's important to plan ahead, assess the risk, and use the right equipment.


Here are more recommendations from the National Safety Council to share and discuss with members of your office or team.

Learn more here

Upcoming Training Opportunties

WRAP VR System - Train the Trainer courses in March

A new virtual reality training system called the WRAP VR system is now available for sheriffs and jailers from the Kentucky Association of Counties. Any department requesting to utilize the WRAP system must send at least one trainer to a mandatory training class at KACo. 


Dates and Locations


Law Enforcement

  • March 12 - Frankfort
  • March 19 - Madisonville


Jails

  • March 13 - Frankfort
  • March 20 - Madisonville
Register here

KACo Leadership Institute: Sexual Harassment Prevention Training

Date: March 7, 2024

Time: 2-3 p.m. EST

Location: Virtual

Cost: FREE


This class will cover the laws and regulations that define sexual harassment, the reporting duties and consequences for failing to do so and offer suggestions to best implement anti-harassment policies in the workplace. Participants will learn ways to prevent and discourage sexual harassment and how to promote a safe and respectful workplace.

Register here

KACo Leadership Institute: Opioid Settlement Funds

Date: March 14, 2024

Time: 2-3:30 p.m. EST

Location: Virtual

Cost: FREE


Join us for an overview of the opioid settlement funds and learn more about their regulation, disbursement schedule, reporting, compliance and approved uses.


Speaker: Lauren Carr, Opioid Settlement Advisor

Register here

KACo Leadership Institute: Occupational License Taxes

Date: March 19, 2024

Time: 2-3 p.m. EST

Location: Virtual

Cost: FREE


Join us to learn more about county occupational license taxes, including rate limitations and ordinances as well as tax collection software.

Register here

See all training opportunities here

This week in pictures

KACo's Jim Henderson talks with reporter Stu Johnson of WEKU radio about HB 596.

Shelby County Judge/Executive Dan Ison talks with Shelbyville Mayor Troy Ethington at the House Local Government Committee meeting.

Kentucky Sheriffs' Association Executive Director Jerry Wagner was at the table with Rep. Samara Heavrin in support of her bill, HB 456.

Lyon County Sheriff Brent White had a special visitor earlier this week. Future recruit deputy AJ came by to turn in some unused prescription medication.

WNKY recently featured the Warren County Sheriffs Office on its 2023 baby boom. Nine employees had babies from March to December.

Ella Hutcherson, daughter of KACo's network engineer Kyle Hutcherson, recently served as a page at the Capitol with the FFA. She is pictured here with Rep. Derrick Graham. 

KACo Government Affairs team members Kayla Carter, Gracie Kelly, Dianne Andrews and Shellie Hampton celebrate Dianne's retirement.

Members of Teresa Yagel's family joined her at KACo for her retirement party.

Anderson County Judge/Executive Orbrey Gritton and his staff are honoring March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month by wearing blue.

Stronger Counties. Stronger Kentucky.