Key takeaways
- Kentucky state government spent $50.9 billion in fiscal 2024, the 21st most of any state.
- Statewide purchasing runs through the Office of Procurement Services, and vendors register and find bids in eMARS Vendor Self Service.
- The fiscal year starts July 1; the governor's FY2027-28 budget proposal usually comes two-year budget enacted in 2026.
- The 2027 legislative session convenes Jan. 5 and is scheduled to adjourn March 30.
Kentucky government at a glance
| Fact | Kentucky |
|---|---|
| State spending, FY 2024 | $50.9 billion (21st of 50) |
| Fiscal year starts | July 1 |
| Next budget | FY2027-28 · proposal usually two-year budget enacted in 2026 |
| 2027 legislative session | Jan. 5 to March 30 (85 days) |
| Central procurement office | Office of Procurement Services |
| Bid and vendor portal | eMARS Vendor Self Service |
| State CIO | Jim Barnhart, State CIO |
| Local governments | 1,307 total, including 601 special districts and 171 school districts |
| Public power and co-op utilities | 30 public power utilities and 24 electric co-ops |
| State prison population | 19,175 (end of 2023) |
How Kentucky buys
- Central purchasing. The Office of Procurement Services handles statewide contracts and purchasing rules for state agencies.
- Where bids are posted. eMARS Vendor Self Service is where vendors register and find state solicitations.
- Registering as a vendor. Our Kentucky vendor registration guide walks through the steps, fees and documents.
- Agencies and local buyers. Many agencies, universities, cities, counties and school districts buy on their own or through cooperative contracts; see our cooperative purchasing guide.
Budget and legislative calendar
- Fiscal year. Kentucky's fiscal year starts July 1. The next budget covers FY2027-28.
- Governor's proposal. Usually released Two-year budget enacted in 2026. Status as of Nov. 8, 2026: two-year budget already enacted. Track it in our governor budget proposals tracker.
- 2027 session. Convenes Jan. 5 and is scheduled to adjourn March 30. Meets in two parts, with a break in January. See the 2027 legislative session calendar.
Technology and AI
- State CIO. Jim Barnhart, State CIO, leads the Commonwealth Office of Technology. See the full state CIO directory.
- AI policy. Our tracker counts no executive orders, 1 law and 2 agency policies on government AI use. See the state AI policy tracker.
- How IT buying works. See how state agencies buy technology.
Largest public buyers in Kentucky
The biggest Kentucky entities on our national rankings. Each one runs its own budget and, in most cases, its own purchasing.
| Buyer | Type | Size | National rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County | City | 641,962 residents (2025) | 27 of 100 largest cities |
| Lexington-Fayette | City | 329,751 residents (2025) | 59 of 100 largest cities |
| Jefferson County | County | 795,222 residents (2025) | 83 of 100 largest counties |
| Jefferson County | School district | 94,393 students (fall 2021) | 30 of 100 largest districts |
| Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International | Airport | 4,366,865 passengers boarded (2025) | 50 of 100 busiest |
| Louisville Muhammad Ali International | Airport | 2,237,842 passengers boarded (2025) | 70 of 100 busiest |
| Louisville Water Company | Water utility | 764,769 people served | 35 of 208 largest |
| Louisville (KY) Metro Police | Police department | 1,246 sworn officers (2016) | 35 of 50 largest |
Sources: KSG rankings of the largest cities, counties, school districts, public universities, transit agencies, airports, water utilities, public power utilities, police departments and other lists. Figures are from each list's source year.
Local government and utilities
- 1,307 local governments. That includes 601 special districts and 171 school districts. See special districts by state.
- Utilities. 30 public power utilities and 24 electric cooperatives serve 1,108,574 customers, 46% of the state. See Kentucky utilities.
- Budget cycles. Cities, counties and school districts set their own fiscal years; see city and county budget calendars.
Kentucky state holidays in 2027
Besides the 11 federal holidays, Kentucky state offices close on these days in 2027:
- Good Friday: Friday, March 26 (About a dozen states, including Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky (half day), Louisiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas)
See the full 2027 federal and state holiday calendar.
How KSG helps
Kensington Sales Group's SDRs book meetings with public agencies across Federal, SLED, K-12 & Higher Ed, Healthcare, Tribal, Special Districts and Utilities. We research Kentucky buyers, time outreach to state and local budget cycles and get you in front of the people who own the problem you solve. See how our state and local sales development works.
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