County Line • Winter 2026 • Message from the Executive Director/CEO

We’re off to a great start in 2026 under the leadership of new KACo president, Union County Judge/Executive Adam O’Nan.

In this edition of County Line, we highlight Judge O’Nan’s story of public service, allowing you to better understand the person at the helm of your association. There also are two new officers who have joined the KACo Executive Committee, both recently elected by full membership at our annual conference.

Green County PVA Sean Curry was elected 1st vice president, and Grant County Magistrate Jacqalynn Ammer Riley was chosen to represent magistrates and commissioners as KACo 2nd vice president.

They join President O’Nan, President-Elect Michael Logsdon (Oldham County Magistrate) and Immediate Past President Dan Mosley (Harlan County Judge/Executive) to make up the Executive Committee of KACo.

These five officers, along with our entire Board of Directors, guide, shape and direct us in the areas of service and representation that best reflect the priorities of county leaders across Kentucky.

You have every reason to be confident and proud of the elected leadership representing your interests at KACo. You shouldn’t hesitate to reach out to any one of them to express your thoughts about how KACo can better serve you. This is a member-led, board-guided organization.

This from-the-ground-up approach to our mission has profoundly influenced our legislative focus for 2026.

With the General Assembly well underway, KACo’s leadership earlier determined that our legislative priority would be narrowly identified: reshaping our shared responsibility for county jails. The high cost of operating jails isn’t a new challenge for county leaders, but in recent years, the statewide budget deficit to operate county jails has exponentially increased.

In just the last five county budget cycles, the gap between revenues and expenses has widened by 76%! This is a statewide total increase, but some counties have seen their situation become even worse. One judge shared with us that his general fund subsidy to the jail has increased more than 300%, going from a $2 million transfer into the jail budget four years ago to nearly $6 million this year.

Legislators need to hear from you to better understand your individual county story. We are presenting bold reforms and recommendations to state leaders, but we won’t be able to move these ideas forward without your engagement. More information is available in this issue of County Line.

Finally, let me wrap up my thoughts with sincere thanks and recognition that many of you are in the thick of election season at home. While many county races will be determined in the May primary, some of you won’t know the outcome until after the general election in November. Having placed my name on the ballot five times, I know how distracting it can be from the important work in front of you each day.

If you find yourself just needing a reprieve or want to talk to someone who understands the intensity and anxiety you’re feeling, don’t hesitate to reach out to me personally. It’s part of the honor and privilege I share in serving this role.

As always, if there’s anything at all our team can do to help you be more successful in leading your county, please let us know.