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

March 28, 2024
Data Brief: County Property Tax Rates
2023 fiscal court real property tax rates.
March 28, 2024
Compromise annexation bill passes Senate
HB 596 achieves final passage.
March 22, 2024
Week 12 Legislative Session Update
Amended legislative calendar this week sees movement on state budget, other items of county interest
March 21, 2024
Data Brief: 2024 County Occupational Tax Rates
County occupational license fees as of Jan. 1, 2024
March 15, 2024
Week 11 legislative update: annexation bill clears senate committee, budget bills continue to move
It is week 11 of the 2024 General Assembly regular session and there are only a handful of legislative days left in this 60-day session.
March 14, 2024
Senate makes its mark on state budget
Executive branch budget passes out of Senate.
March 13, 2024
Lawmakers update calendar for the 2024 legislative session
The Kentucky General Assembly has revised the session calendar as lawmakers draw closer to the veto recess.
March 08, 2024
Bills of county interest see movement this week
Several county-related bills were advanced this week; 13 legislative working days remain