“Every mayor in the state of Kentucky is against the Airbnb rule. Not one city, not one mayor, wants it,” Bellevue mayor Charlie Cleves said bluntly at Wednesday night’s city council meeting.
Cleves was referencing a bill in the state’s senate that would allow short-term rental property owners to skirt local zoning laws and other regulations.
“The head of Airbnb is a billionaire in California, and he pays people’s campaigns to put bills out that say he doesn’t have to pay any taxes,” Cleves said. As previously reported, Sen. Craig Richardson has not collected a donation from Airbnb or its CEO Brian Chesky; though he did accept a $1,500 donation from the Kentucky Realtors PAC in 2024.
Mayor Cleves concluded, “He doesn’t have to pay anything into Northern Kentucky, and we’re not allowed to regulate them and stop them from setting up in Bellevue. It’s just really bad.”
The city’s resolution also brought attention to House Bill 518, which would change the filing system for local occupational license taxes; rerouting the funds through the Secretary of State’s office first, before passing them onto the original tax districts.
David Fessler, Bellevue’s city attorney, described the legislation as requiring local taxation forms to be standardized and funneled through the state.
“These bills usurp powers granted to the city and other local governments, and adversely impact their governance,” Fessler said, echoing the wording of a similar resolution passed by nearby Dayton.
When it came time to approve the resolution, multiple seconds were announced. Councilman Steve Guidugli joked that it had been seconded by “everybody.” The resolution was approved unanimously.
Nathan Granger contributed to this reporting.