Kentucky League of Cities Deputy Executive Director J.D. Chaney says mayors and city councils across the state remain interested in expanding local taxing authority. Chaney has extensive experience lobbying state lawmakers, representing city governments.
He says increasing pension costs for local governments just further exemplify the need for more revenue. “You’re going to see local government really saying, look if you want to continue providing these very important local services, something’s got to give in terms of the affordability of the pension system and our ability to raise revenue in a fair way at a local level in order to be able to do it,” said Chaney.
Chaney says municipalities were looking at a 12 percent increase in the employer contribution rate starting this July. Previously passed legislation phased in increases, but Chaney says that is, quote, “just buying time.”
