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

April 22, 2025
Data brief: 2024 county property tax rates
2024 fiscal court real property tax rates
March 21, 2025
Veto recess by the numbers
Governor considering dozens of bills passed by General Assembly
March 14, 2025
Crunch time at the Capitol
Week 7 legislative wrap-up
February 28, 2025
Bills advance as session nears final stretch
Week 5 legislative wrap-up
February 14, 2025
County leaders gather in Frankfort to meet with legislators
Hundreds of local officials tell their county story during County Day at the Capitol
February 07, 2025
Q & A with House Speaker and Senate President
Transcript of remarks from Rep. David Osborne and Sen. Robert Stivers at KCJEA Conference