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

FY2021 Employer Contribution Rates Announced
Fiscal year 2021 employer contribution rates - the percentage of an employee's salary an employer must pay into the Kentucky Retirement System - have been announced.
Proposal would expand list of those eligible for absentee ballots
A bill proposed for consideration during the 2020 General Assembly would expand the list of those allowed to cast absentee ballots.
2020 Vision: KACo Legislative Priorities
KACo's 2020 Legislative Priorities include transportation funding, jail relief and tax reform.
Beshear reveals high-level members of administration
Governor-elect Andy Beshear names four high-level members of his incoming administration.
KACo presents 2020 legislative priorities
The Kentucky Association of Counties (KACo) presented testimony in the Capitol Annex Thursday regarding its top three priorities for the 2020 legislative session: road funding, jail relief and tax reform.
2019 KACo Policy Poll RESULTS
During the 2019 KACo Annual Conference, elected officials in attendance were asked to answer a series of policy-focused questions.
Almost half of KY prisoners are incarcerated for violating parole or probation
10,876 people are incarcerated in the Commonwealth due to supervision violations.