The Organization of the ADDs

The Area Development Districts were designed as, and continue to function as, locally-focused sub-state districts.  Accordingly, each ADD is directed by elected officials from the counties and communities from within the respective legislated service area.  Regardless of the wide array of federal and state funding sources utilized on behalf of the region, the policies and service delivery efforts of the ADDs always have a local perspective.

Board of Directors

At inception, each ADD board was organized to include at a minimum the County Judge Executive from each county; mayors of cities of the first three classes, plus mayors from the county seat city; two non-elected citizen members from each county; advisory representation of the State General Assembly; and chairpersons representing standing committees such as: Aging, Human Resources, Economic Development and others.  Each ADD conforms to the special need of its area but all have the common elements of Board organization listed above and adhere to a standard level of core activities.

Advisory Committees

As indicated above, each Board establishes various committees and advisory councils to aid in its policy decisions.  These committees and advisory groups are critical to the ADD process, aiding the Board of Directors with special studies and recommendations to solve problems and enhance development in their respective regions.  These bodies require the concerted efforts of a number of citizens and give each ADD as even greater insight into the needs of local areas.  Each ADD Board has an average of fifteen to twenty committees and advisory councils to support its development efforts involving thousands of officials and citizens.

Each ADD Board meets monthly in open, public meetings.  Each is fully audited by an independent CPA each year, and as such, they are fully accountable.  The ADDs employ dedicated, fully trained, professional staff, all serving local governments historically unable to afford like expertise individually.  This function is key to the ADDs success.

District Directors - KADD

The Executive Directors of the fifteen ADDs comprise the Kentucky Association of District Directors (KADD).  This group meets monthly to discuss issues affecting the ADD network and to coordinate activities and guidance of individual Boards, through the KCADD.  The monthly meetings, which often include key staff members and guest speakers from state and federal government, are held at central locations throughout the state.  Representatives of federal and state government are frequent guests, discussing ongoing projects or proposals for future activities or needs.

The KADD also operates under a committee structure which generally mirrors the Cabinet configurations of the Commonwealth.  This approach allows the ADDs to have "network points of contact" for various program and specialty areas.  The KADD also works with the Association's Executive Director, who serves as a focal point for administration and legislative information in the State Capital and for Washington.

Statewide Affiliation - KCADD

The Kentucky Council of Area Development Districts (KCADD) is utilized by Board members, statewide, as their vehicle to enhance the performance of all ADDs and to encourage the flow of ideas and innovations throughout the Commonwealth.  The entire Council meets throughout the year, while the Executive Committee of the KCADD meets as situations and the program of work warrants.

In 1995, the KCADD and the KADD joined forces to allow a presence in Frankfort for the Area Development Districts by hiring a staff and opening an office in the Capital city.  The staff of two consists of Information Director and Executive Assistant.

As indicated in the staff title of Information Director, the primary function of the office is for information flow:

• Provide information from local governments and Area Development Districts to the Commonwealth and the federal government

• In tandem, serve as the conduit to local government and the ADDs from the Commonwealth and the federal government

• Serve the Council with legislative lobbying functions

The office also serves the organizational needs for KCADD and KADD in arranging meetings, preparing agendas, processing minutes and assisting in follow-up of meeting actions.  The office assistance includes the monthly Training Sessions of the Executive Directors (KADD).