The 2016 Kentucky League of Cities Legislative Agenda has presented its legislative agenda to the Interim Joint Committee on Local Government.
KLC Executive Director/CEO Jonathan Steiner, KLC President and Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison and KLC First Vice President and Sadieville Mayor Claude Christensen shared with the members of the committee the top agenda items for Kentucky cities for the 2016 legislative session.
The top priority for Kentucky cities in 2016 is the 911 funding shortfall. The decline in popularity of landline telephones has left many local governments with decreasing revenues to support ever-more expensive 911 services. As this trend continues, the funding disparity for 911 services will continue to grow for local governments.
The KLC Board also supports the restructuring of the road funding formulas for a more equitable allocation to local governments with higher traffic areas that have more frequent needs for repair and maintenance.
Another top priority for cities is revenue diversification has city officials need more revenue options and greater flexibility to tailor their tax policies to fit the unique needs of their communities so they may effectively service the citizens of the commonwealth.
The KLC Board of Directors also supports a wide variety of other issues including abandoned and blighted properties, retirement reform and drug abuse.
The legislative agenda represents months of gathering input, researching policy issues and engaging thoughtful debates by the 62-member KLC Board of Directors. The agenda was approved by the board during the meeting at the 2015 KLC Conference & Expo in Owensboro. The board provides guidance and direction for the legislative team that works in Frankfort on behalf of Kentucky’s cities. The board will meet several times while the General Assembly is in session to consider positions on new issues and proposals.
For more information about the 2016 KLC Legislative Agenda, visit klc.org.
Founded in 1927, the Kentucky League of Cities is a membership association of more than 370 cities across the commonwealth. It provides cities, leaders and employees with services that include legislative advocacy, legal services, financial services, community consulting, policy development, research, and training and education.